While my family knows this all too well, I am hesitant to make it generally known that I am absent-minded. However, after I left my spotting scope at Wharton Point in Brunswick on Nov. 18, I need to thank a number of people in the Harpswell and birding communities who acted quickly to make sure it was returned to me.
When I first arrived at the Point, I struck up a conversation with a woman who was also clearly there in search of birds, and I happened to mention a rare bird I’d seen recently. When I later drove away without my scope, she immediately went into action, using that one piece of information to learn my name and quickly create an impromptu network to find me.
I still don’t know the full timeline and extent of this network, but I would especially like to thank Cecile Boucher for starting the process and guarding my scope until I got back to Wharton Point. Thanks also to Stacia Brezinski at Maine Audubon, Tina Deschaine in the Harpswell Town Office, and my birding friend Luci Timblin. A special thanks to Deputy Sheriff George Bradbury, who followed up with a visit to our house to check on me and my spotting scope.
I feel very fortunate to be part of both the birding and Harpswell communities.
Now, has anyone seen my glasses?
Ned Toll, Ash Point
