According to the field books, Northern Shrikes are not a particularly rare bird during a Maine winter . . . but you can’t prove that to Ingrid and me.  We’ve seen only three of them ever, one each in 2017, 2019 and 2020 . . . and not for lack of trying.  We are always scanning the brush and trees that border meadows and hayfield looking for the masked bandit.

As you’ve guessed, I got one today at Great Salt Bay during a lunch time stroll.  He was perched on leafless tree staring right at me . . . watched him for 10 minutes.

Didn’t see too many other birds, but did see a first of the year Belted Kingfisher and a Red-tailed Hawk.