Today was a good reminder that if you are ever looking for Bicknell’s Thrush, you’d better know the call note. After much patience and diligence, four of us got good looks in Coplin Plantation this morning. I heard the bird sing as we approached, and a couple of distant songs soon after – then an hour of silence. It was only with the aid of patience, diligence, and call notes did the little twerp finally reveal himself. At one point, he was a quick shadow that flew right over us, calling loudly as he went – which was a big tease. Finally, he perched up on a snag and called again for about 15 seconds. Photo at https://www.facebook.com/MaineBirdingTrail.
Naturally in such habitat, we enjoyed many Swainson’s Thrushes and Blackpolls, a few calling Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, a singing Fox Sparrow, and lastly a small handful of Mourning Warblers. Loggers were moving in as we departed, so we managed to squeeze in this year’s last visit just in time.
Later, during an otherwise ho-hum walk along the Flagstaff Road, we did spook up a couple of Ruffed Grouse and encountered an Olive-sided Flycatcher. This was on the Maine Public Reserve Land in Eustis – (Delorme Map 29, B-2) or page 138 of the Maine Birding Trail guidebook.
Bob Duchesne
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