MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • March 14, 2021
A birding phenomenon termed the Patagonia Picnic Table Effect or PPTE is a positive feedback loop. A birder finds a rare bird, other birders come to see the rarity and find other rare birds, drawing yet more birders who find yet more rare birds. Here in Maine, on Jan. 14, Frank Paul found a black-headed grosbeak at Capisic Pond in Portland. The Capisic Pond sighting drew many birders. On Jan. 29, Brendan McKay found a redwing at Capisic Pond, a mega-rarity in North America. In early February, birders started to report a dickcissel. an example of the PPTE? Recent research has found the PPTE is a delightful myth with no scientific support. ~ Herb Wilson