[Maine-birds] This Week's Highlights, Irruptives, and Goose Fields Update, 11/24-30.

Hi all,

 

Here are some sightings of note from me over the past seven days:

- 3 Brant (first of fall) and about 30 Purple Sandpipers, East Point, Biddeford Pool, 11/25 (with Kristen Lindquist).

- 1 Hermit Thrush, Biddeford Pool neighborhood, 11/25 (with Kristen Lindquist).

- 2 Gadwall, 7 American Wigeon, etc, Grondin Pond, Scarborough, 11/25 (with Kristen Lindquist).

- 1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (photo), 2 Hermit Thrushes, and 1 Carolina Wren, private property in Portland, 11/26 (with Doug Hitchcox).

- 8 Snow Buntings, Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth, 11/26 (with Doug Hitchcox.  Photo at: http://www.facebook.com/Freeportwildbird?ref=hl#!/photo.php?fbid=534852129878079&set=a.390755794287714.103180.198877036808925&type=1&theater).

- 1 Great Cormorant, Yarmouth Town Landing, 11/29. 

- 1 Common Grackle, here at the store, 11/29.

 

And in the irruptives department:

- PINE GROSBEAKS were widespread throughout Cumberland County at least this week, although overall numbers dropped off a bit.  Some of my high counts include up to 12 that have been around the store on a daily basis all week and 8 at the LL Bean Headquarters on 11/25 (with Kristen Lindquist).

- WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were widespread throughout the coastal plain once again, but also in somewhat reduced numbers, with some of the high counts including

- I encountered very few Common Redpolls this week, just the scattered handful here and there.

- The only Pine Siskin I encountered once again this week was a single bird continuing in our Pownal yard. 

 

And finally, the goose fields update this week:

- Three CACKLING GEESE continue through week's end, almost always at Thornhurst Farm, including the morning of 11/30.

- Canada Goose numbers remained fairly constant this week, with a high count of 605 on 11/30 possibly only reflecting better visibility of the largest groups.  However, seeps and ponds in and around the fields are rapidly freezing, and it seems that access to open fresh water is the limiting factor in what keeps the passage migrants around these fields.  The residents and small number of overwintering migrants will often continue to visit the fields until snow cover becomes complete.

- Once again, I encountered small numbers of Pine Grosbeaks while driving the loop through the fields each time this week. 

 

-Derek

 

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Jeannette and Derek Lovitch
Freeport Wild Bird Supply
541 Route One, Suite 10
Freeport, ME 04032
Ph: (207)865-6000/Fax: (207)865-6069
http://www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com/
Visit our E-store http://store.freeportwildbirdsupply.com/