A loud noise in the Maine woods might be great horned owls mating

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 2, 2023

The north woods are abnormally quiet this winter. Last October, I reported big flocks of chickadees and nuthatches heading south. Many migrated down from Canada, but it now seems apparent that lots of Maine birds joined the exodus, too. I’ve received many reports from loyal readers that they’re not getting their usual numbers at the feeders, either. Even our year-round local birds may yearn to be somewhere south in winter. Humans and birds can fly anywhere they want to — unless they’re booked on Southwest Airlines. For a long time, it seemed like our summer birds flew south for the winter, but our year-round birds stayed home. Now it’s clear that even chickadees may leave. But the owls are hooting, the days are lengthening, our birds will return soon, and all is right with the world. ~ Bob Duchesne