[Maine-birds] Maine Audubon Stratton Island Trip - SANDWICH TERN, WIPH, WFIB, etc.; 7/1

Hey everyone:

This morning Linda Woodard and I had the pleasure of leading one of Maine Audubon's trips to Stratton Island. Located just off of Pine Point in Scarborough (though it is technically York County) this island is a very important nesting site for terns and also the major rookery for the herons, egrets, and ibis that we see in the Scarborough Marsh. This island also has a fresh water pond on it that often hosts some unusual nesting ducks. Here are a few highlights from today's trip:

Gadwall - 1 hen with 11 babies in tow

Northern Shoveler - 1 hen with 2 chicks

WHITE-FACED IBIS (WFIB) - one adult at the pond; lots of juvenile ibis around but the researchers haven't seen any breeding

Sora - calling from the pond

American Oystercatcher - at least 5 individuals; there was an early nesting attempt that failed during the storm a month ago

Red Knot - one bird still in breeding plumage has been on the island for the past week

WILSON'S PHALAROPE (WIPH) - one male has been in the pond for almost a week

Least Tern - active nests are in the 90s

Roseate Tern - at least 30 birds around the island; forgot notes on number of nests

Common Tern - everywhere!

Arctic Tern - one seen as we left the island; no nests after the storm

***SANDWICH TERN - one adult-type bird gave close but brief looks while we scanned for Roseates on the east side of the island. I would recommend birders keep a sharp eye out at Pine Point or possibly the sandbar off Scarborough Beach for this bird.

The researchers also reported (possibly) seeing an immature Tricolored Heron recently although they did not find any nests when they did their heron survey.

Thanks to Project Puffin for hosting us on this great island!

Good birding,

Doug Hitchcox

Hollis, ME