TIMES RECORD • December 22, 2024
Maine winters can be dark and barren, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great time to see birds. The colder months herald the arrival of dark-eyed juncos, the snowbirds, and other visitors such as finches (pine siskins and pine grosbeaks), which follow the cyclical crops of conifer tree cones. And they aren’t alone. Plenty of cold-adapted resident species, such as crows and blue jays, stick around, too. For those unwilling or unable to venture out, snow can draw birds to backyard feeders en masse, making them easy to observe from the warmth of indoors. Plus, they are easier to spot.