Maine birds And MOAC mountainbiking

Saturday 30 November 2013

[Maine-birds] Snowy Owls and Rough-legged Hawk at Seawall Beach

To add to the many sightings of Snowy Owls, on Saturday morning one owl was located off Seawall Beach on the Heron Islands (likely the same bird reported by Peter Vickery earlier) and one owl was perched on the sand near the large stand of dune grass on the Popham Beach side of the Morse River. Earlier, a nice light morph juvenile Rough-legged Hawk was observed from the Morse Mountain road winging fairly high overhead in a southerly direction.

In spite of the below freezing temperatures of late, well over a hundred dunlins and sanderlings were actively foraging on the beach at low tide, while a flock of almost two dozen yellow-rumped warblers, accompanied by a Hermit Thrush and Gray Catbird, were active in the scrubby back-dune area. The catbird was observed ingesting the abundant winterberry.

Good birding,

Gordon

--
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Maine-birds] Northern Shrike at Fort Point

Today while we ate lunch at the Fort Point State Park parking lot we watched a Northern Shrike make its patrol of several trees on the grounds of the old fort site. From the fort we had a Red-throated Loon. We checked out Grant's Cove in Stockton Springs and found 8 or more Ruddy Ducks (just like the guidebook said!).

Merle and Anne Archie

Harrington, ME

[Maine-birds] Snowy Owl @ Dyer Point

I had a flyby Snowy Owl at Dyer Pt. in Cape Elizabeth around 1 pm heading south over the water.

Bird haahd,

Noah Gibb-Portland

[Maine-birds] Snowy Owls

I just noted Doug's recent e-mail and wanted to report that there has been an immature male Snowy Owl on the rocks of Strawberry Island Preserve Kennebunk Beach all day today.

Ken Janes
Kennebunk Beach

--
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Maine-birds] Snowy Owls (3) - East Point Sanctuary, Biddeford, 11/30

Tim Armstrong just called to report there are currently three Snowy Owls visible at East Point Sanctuary in Biddeford. Two were on Wood Island and a third on the small island between the point and Wood.

Good birding,

Doug Hitchcox

Staff Naturalist

Maine Audubon

207-781-2330 x237

dhitchcox@maineaudubon.org

[Maine-birds] Three Snowy Owls at Small Point, Phippsburg

Several of us hiked out to Small Point, where we bumped into Laddy, and saw three Snowy Owls, 1 imm at the point, 1 white adult on Fuller Rock, and a bit later a third, also an immature, on the outermost of the Three Heron Islands.

Also, N Shrike, 20 Am Robins, 12 Cedar Waxwings, 4 red Fox Sparrows, and the usual waterbirds.

Best, Peter

--
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Maine-birds] MDI, American wigeon, ring-necked ducks

yesterday wigeon at millpond, 3 ring necks at somes pond with , 9 hooded mergansers, 7 buffleheads, and 2 common mergansers.

--
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Maine-birds] Maine RBA - November 30, 2013

Name: Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert
Reporting Period: November 23 – 29, 2013
Area: State of Maine
Compilers: Doug Hitchcox

Noteworthy Species Mentioned:

King Eider
American Golden-Plover
Snowy Owl
Northern Hawk Owl
Lark Sparrow

York County

A hen KING EIDER was seen off Seapoint Beach in Kittery on the afternoon of the 23rd.

On the 25th, a LARK SPARROW was reported from the Old Orchard Beach Transfer Station.

Greater Portland

A SNOWY OWL was perched atop one of the hunting blinds in the Scarborough Marsh, visible from the end of Seavey's Landing Road in Scarborough on the 23rd.

On the 24th, a deceased SNOWY OWL was found along the Cliff Walk at Prouts Neck in Scarborough.

Midcoast

A late AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was reported from Popham Beach State Park in Phippsburg on the 23rd.

On the 28th, two SNOWY OWLS were seen on island in the mouth of the Kennebec River. One was atop North Sugarloaf Island and the other on South Sugarloaf Island.

Penobscot Bay

A SNOWY OWL was photographed along the runways of the Knox County Regional Airport in Owl's Head on the 26th.

Central Maine

Since November 12th, a NORTHERN HAWK OWL has been seen near the intersection of Route 116 (Penobscot Valley Ave / Rte 95 Connector Road) and Route 2 (West Broadway). The bird does not seem to be entirely reliable at this location but was still being reported there as of November 26th.

Western Mountains

A SNOWY OWL was reported early in the week from the top of Saddleback Mountain in Rangeley.

--
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Maine-birds] Gilsland Farm Birdwalk & Upcoming Trip

Hey everyone:

Hope you all had a happy turkey day! Speaking of, the Wild Turkeys of Gilsland Farm have apparently left for the winter and right on time with previous years: http://tinyurl.com/qe75x9n. Despite the cold (18F) we did manage to tally 26 species during the walk this morning. A few highlights included:

My first Common Mergansers for Gilsland Farm came flying overhead while we were in the West Meadow. They are much more 'common' further up river and I'd have to assume the amount of hunters along the river had something to do with displacing them into our patch listing area.

It seems a little late to have a Red-winged Blackbird and three Common Grackles flying around but the real flyover-highlight was a pair of Snow Buntings in the North Meadow. I was hoping for another bird with snow[y] in its name but the rattle calls and flashy white secondaries of these arctic breeders was a nice consolation prize.

Here is a complete checklist from the walk: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S15805326

I also wanted to mention a trip I'll be leading next Tuesday to do a little birding around the Cape Elizabeth coast. Nick Lund, Jake Shorty and I did a preview of this route a couple days ago and had great success with Harlequin Ducks, Purple Sandpipers, Snow Buntings, and a bonus Snow Goose. I hope you'll join me! Details at: http://maineaudubon.org/events/2013/seawatching-and-the-cape-coast/

Good birding,

Doug Hitchcox

Staff Naturalist

Maine Audubon

207-781-2330 x237

dhitchcox@maineaudubon.org

Friday 29 November 2013

[Maine-birds] Hawk Owl - Nope!

A few of us were prowling around various spots in Lincoln this afternoon, but failed to come up with the Hawk Owl.

[Maine-birds] Snowy Owl--Biddeford Pool Point

Hello,

Had a beautiful (but distant) Snowy Owl off the shores at Ocean Drive and 3rd Streets. Horrible photos reinforced my need for a digiscoping rig; someday!

My list:
Canada Goose 3
American Black Duck 2
Common Eider 15
Harlequin Duck 1
Common Goldeneye 3
Red-breasted Merganser 7
Common Loon 7
Horned Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Ruddy Turnstone 4 bright orange legs, breeding plumage
Herring Gull 15
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Snowy Owl 1 On the farthest long spit of land. Standing on the spit, to the left, directly in front of that offshore facility that's farther out.

Good birding,

Delia in Brunswick

[Maine-birds] Phippsburg Me Snowy Owl

Phippsburg, Me Small Point Seal Cove Road, Ice Box Bend
Snowy owl seen and photo'd by Small Point resident -reported to me. Bird was sitting on the rocks that line the beach

Robin R Robinson

[Maine-birds] This Week's Highlights and Goose Fields Update, 11/23-29

Hi all,

Winter - and winter birds - are setting in! Here are my observations of note from the past seven days:

- 1 Winter Wren, South Freeport Yacht Club, 11/23 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).

- 3 male, 1 female Red-winged Blackbirds, here at the store, 11/23.

- 40 Snow Buntings, flying over The Nubble neighborhood, 11/26 (with Jeannette).

- 32 Dunlin with 75-100 Sanderlings, Ogunquit Beach, 11/26 (with Jeannette).

- 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Ogunquit Beach parking lot, 11/26 (with Jeannette).

- 1 Winter Wren, Beach Plum Farm, Ogunquit, 11/26 (with Jeannette).

- 1 Green-winged Teal, Moody Marsh, Ognuquit, 11/26 (with Jeannette).

- 2 Peregrine Falcons, Webhannet Marsh, Wells, 11/26 (with Jeannette).

- 6 Dunlin with 75+ Purple Sandpipers, Wells Beach, 11/26 (with Jeannette).

- 1 SNOWY OWL, Wells Beach, 11/26 (with Jeannette).

- 1 Fox Sparrow, Fort Foster, Kittery, 11/28 (with Jeannette).

- 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, West Commercial St, Portland, 11/29.

- 1 pair Wood Ducks and 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Trout Brook Preserve, South Portland, 11/29.

- 1 adult (or near-adult) Glaucous Gulls (FOS), Old Port, Portland, 11/29.

- 1 drake Green-winged Teal, Back Cove, Portland, 11/29.

"Greater Yarmouth Goose Fields" Update:

After an early-week departure, Canada Goose numbers rebuilt to 940 by Thursday (with Jeannette). About 15 Snow Buntings were at Thornurst Farm 11/28 as well.

-Derek

*****************************************
Derek and Jeannette Lovitch
Freeport Wild Bird Supply
541 Route One, Suite 10
Freeport, ME 04069
207-865-6000
www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com

****************************************

[Maine-birds] Northern Shrike, Norridgewock

My first of the season Northern Shrike, a juvenile, just visited our feeding station. It once flew to the ground and ate something small (stray piece of suet?), then left. Immediately afterward I noticed our resident-of-late female cardinal on open ground below the feeders, head cocked and frozen stiff, and blending in well with the dead grass and leaves, only 6 feet from where the shrike had landed.

Trevor

********************************************************
Trevor Persons, Herpetology
USGS Southwest Biological Science Center
Colorado Plateau Research Station, Flagstaff, AZ

CURRENT ADDRESS:

Trevor Persons
206 Bigelow Hill Road
Norridgewock, Maine 04957
(207) 634-2280

--
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

Re: [Maine-birds] Barrow's goldeneyes Machias River

We looked for the Barrow's Goldeneyes this morning but got skunked! We did have a nice variety of ducks including several individuals of all three Mergus species. We intend to keep monitoring this part of the river to see what turns up!

Merle and Anne Archie

Harrington, AME

On Thu, Nov 28, 2013 at 9:43 PM, Norman Famous <nfamous@maine.edu> wrote:

Hi Folks,

I stopped at the Irving station in Machias this morning and there were 2 drake Barrow's goldeneyes diving in the currents in the Machias River behind the store.

I was only there five minutes but detected the following:

2 Barrow's goldeneye
4 Buffleheads (two pair)
1 Common merganser
6 Canada geese
15 Ring-billed gulls
1 Herring gull

Good birding,

Norm Famous

--
Norman Famous, Wetlands and Wildlife Ecologist

513 Eight Rod Road

Augusta, ME 04330

(207) 623 6072

--
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Maine-birds] Birds of Prey - SW Harbor

Hi all -- Peregrine Falcon made a fast strike at our feeder yesterday, and this morning we had a flyover by a N. Harrier.

Happy black Friday to everyone who'd rather be birding than buying something that runs on D batteries from a big box store today.

Craig K

Re: [Maine-birds] Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspurs

Hello Merle and Anne,

Another good area close to where you were is Baseline Road, leading through woods (2 miles?) to the blueberry barrens. Baseline Road is off 193, at the white sign for the (apparently defunct) Sunrise Beagle Club. Both the road and the barrens can be good. Also Pea Ridge road from the end of Ridge Road in Cherryfield, through the barrens to Columbia 4 Corners. BTW it is strangely easy to get lost out there, though I imagine outdoor professionals like you are a lot better at finding your way around than I am.

Take care,

Joel

On Thu, Nov 28, 2013 at 12:30 PM, Merle and Anne Archie <ravensreachme@gmail.com> wrote:

This morning we found a flock of 20 Snow Buntings that included at least 2 Lapland Longspurs. We were birding the State airstrip in Deblois (off Route 193).

Merle and Anne Archie

Harrington, ME

--
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

Thursday 28 November 2013

[Maine-birds] 100+ Bohemian waxwings in Augusta

Hi folks,

On my way out of town yesterday, I saw a large flock of Bohemian waxwings perched like a group of starlings in the canopies of several trees along Rt. 104 near the turn to Townsend Drive (Road?) (south of the turn). Townsend Drive/Road takes you toward Barns and Noble/Civic Center Drive. This estimate was conservative. The flock took off after 1 to 2 minutes so I could not obtain a full count.

This was my first flock of the year. I have had a couple of cedar waxwings over the last ten days.

Good birding,

Norm Famous

Norman Famous, Wetlands and Wildlife Ecologist

513 Eight Rod Road

Augusta, ME 04330

(207) 623 6072

[Maine-birds] Barrow's goldeneyes Machias River

Hi Folks,

I stopped at the Irving station in Machias this morning and there were 2 drake Barrow's goldeneyes diving in the currents in the Machias River behind the store.

I was only there five minutes but detected the following:

2 Barrow's goldeneye

4 Buffleheads (two pair)

1 Common merganser

6 Canada geese

15 Ring-billed gulls

1 Herring gull

Good birding,

Norm Famous

Norman Famous, Wetlands and Wildlife Ecologist

513 Eight Rod Road

Augusta, ME 04330

(207) 623 6072

[Maine-birds] Two more Snowy Owls - Kennebec River Mouth - Nov 28

An Imm on top of No. Sugarloaf Island; a likely ad female on So. Sugarloaf Island. Nothing but sun and a blistering West wind.

[Maine-birds] Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspurs

This morning we found a flock of 20 Snow Buntings that included at least 2 Lapland Longspurs. We were birding the State airstrip in Deblois (off Route 193).

Merle and Anne Archie

Harrington, ME

Wednesday 27 November 2013

[Maine-birds] Help with birding prospects tomorrow.

My wife and I got great looks at the Northern Hawk Owl in Lincoln and a Barrow's Goldeneye out of the back door of our friends' home in Belfast. What are the prospects of finding Bohemian Waxwings and White-winged Crossbills at the University of Maine campus and the University Forrest? If it is too early in the season for these birds, where might we try for some other northern specialties within easy reach of Belfast?

John and Margaret Cole

Columbus, GA and visiting friends in Belfast

[Maine-birds] Isles of Shoals CBC - January 4/5, 2014

ttention CBCer's:

The Isles of Shoals CBC will be held aboard UNH R/V Gulf Challenger on Saturday, January 4. Steve Mirick, Lauren Kras, and I will be onboard to help spot and call out birds and throw chum. We will be landing (conditions permitting) on Star Island, NH while a small group searches Appledore Island, ME for birds and we will circle Boone Island, ME for gulls, alcids, and owls. We will be chumming for seabirds as well. Previous trips have had good success at finding Snowy Owls, Harlequin Ducks, Black-legged Kittiwakes, and alcids. Reports from this fall suggest it could be a good winter for Snowy Owls!

I'm still working out the price of the trip, but I expect it will be around $55 pp.

I am still working out the departure time to accommodate a potential Appledore Island stop. We will leave the Coastal Marine Lab pier in New Castle no earlier than 7:00 am (likely 9 am) and the UNH Gulf Challenger will will return before dark. Please inform others who may be interested. I will provide directions to the dock upon confirmation of the reservation.

In the event of poor weather, we will be trying again on Sunday January 5.

To reserve a spot please email me with the name(s) of the participants, contact information (phone and email). You can also call me at 603-801-1856;
however, I would prefer email reservations.

Ben Griffith
Merrimack, NH

Tuesday 26 November 2013

[Maine-birds] Northern Hawk Owl continues- Lincoln 11/26

The Northern Hawk Owl continues in the Lincoln area. It was seen by a friend this morning at the Rt 2 intersection & the 95 access road.

--
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Maine-birds] Northern Hawk Owl continues- Lincoln 11/26

[Maine-birds] Yellow-Rumped Warbler, Lee

Saw what I thought was a House Sparrow, but when I put my bins on it, discovered it was a female Myrtle Warbler. Seems late for this lady to be around.

Rest of Neighborhood is quiet in the bird world today.

Harry Robinson-Lee

[Maine-birds] late report Snowy Owl- Saddleback Mt

I got a late report of a Snowy Owl on top of Saddleback Mt here in
Rangeley. It was a couple of days ago up on the summit ridge.

I checked out some areas around the area and it's quiet.

Kirk Betts
Rangeley,ME

--
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Maine-birds] Re: Collins Pond N Windham - Sun

We had a P-B Grebe hanging w/ the Mallards & Blacks right at the shore and a 1st year BTW who took a couple of faint stabs at the suet but seemed deterred by the other birds & squirrels. Miserable day - hope it found shelter.

Judy Scher

Monday 25 November 2013

[Maine-birds] ps dead snowy owl

ps---FYI, I am able to have the bird as I have a State and Federal salvage permit and will be preparing it as a study skin for Bates College.

Lucy LaCasse

52 Old Neck Rd

Scarborough, ME 04074

207-883-3637

207-928-3637 (Stoneham)

207-650-4770 (cell)

wnder@aol.com

[Maine-birds] dead Snowy Owl

A dead Snowy Owl was found Sunday, Nov 24, along the cliff walk at Prouts Neck. Eastern point.

It appears quite thin, with a pronounced keel, and a weight of 2 1/8 lbs.

Lucy LaCasse

52 Old Neck Rd

Scarborough, ME 04074

207-883-3637

207-928-3637 (Stoneham)

207-650-4770 (cell)

wnder@aol.com

[Maine-birds] Now 7 Iceland Gulls at Owl's head

There are now 7 first cycle Iceland Gulls at the Owl's Head harbor lobster impoundments. They were almost the most numerous gull there (herrings beat them out for the title at the last minute).

cheers,
Randy

--
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Maine-birds] Brown Creeper -- Brunswick

Actually the Creeper stays in Maine year round. They are one of my favorites.

Good luck,
Sean

--
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

Sunday 24 November 2013

[Maine-birds] white-winged gulls, razorbills, etc, downeast

I helped a friend haul in his lobster traps for winter storage between Eastport and West Quoddy Head, Lubec this weekend. Small flocks of razorbills were scattered everywhere along our travels and I also got a quick glimpse of five common murres. Northern gannets were diving near West Quoddy Head on Saturday and black-legged kittiwakes were riding the cold winds in small numbers on both days. I didn't see any dovekies, which was disappointing given that I've observed them on similar fishing trips in late fall.

We had a cloud of over a hundred large gulls following our boat while we were emptying bait bags into the sea. At one point I counted five Iceland gulls and one glaucous gull beside us. Seas built to seven feet today and I was glad when we headed back to the harbor. One first-winter glaucous gull was hanging out with herring gulls when we arrived at the Eastport Breakwater. I took a couple photos of this gull that can be seen here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/101615744@N02/11037788996/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/101615744@N02/11037822066/

Cheers,

Chris Bartlett

[Maine-birds] Brown Creeper -- Brunswick

Had a Brown Creeper today on one of my suet-feeder oaks, huddled on the lee side out of the wind. He returned to this same tree a couple of times during the afternoon.

Isn't it late for him to be here?

Delia in Brunswick

[Maine-birds] Maybe a picture of Northern Hawk Owl

[Maine-birds] Northern Hawk Owl

Lincoln
Seen at 11 am East on Penobscot Valley Rd. Off Rt. 2--- 100 yds S on RR tracks. Really active .
Sent from my iPhone

--
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Maine-birds] Northern Hawk Owl

[Maine-birds] American goldfinches in Stoneham...and brown creeper

Over the last week there has been between 10 and 2 goldfinches at my feeders every day (today there are 2). A flock of around 10 flew over my head earlier today when walking up Hut Road into WMNF.

Also saw a brown creeper just a couple minutes ago.

Wind is howling here....

Frank

[Maine-birds] queen eider

Found a lonely female King Eider at Seapoint Beach in Kittery Point on Saturday afternoon. She was off the end of the “seapoint” and gradually made her way around counterclockwise while we pointed scopes and binoculars at her. None of us had ever seen a “queen” eider before so we were pawing through field guides a bit at first. Nice vague eye ring, and a whiteness behind the bill. She was not as “golden” as common eider hens, especially in bright light, rather she was a more subdued brown.

Dave Tucker, Kittery Point

Saturday 23 November 2013

[Maine-birds] Where is snowy owl ?

Where in scarborough marsh was the snowy owl? I will be out there tomorrow morning thanks all!

--
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Maine-birds] Iceland

If it’s any harbinger…? Three Iceland Gulls in Owls Head, at the impoundment in the harbor at the end of Lobster Lane today around noon. Elsewhere, Lesser Scaup (about 15), 2 dozen Coots at Lake Chickawaukee on the Rockland side of the lake. Had a Rough-legged Hawk at Weskeag several days ago, and returned to day to see if he would show up again. I didn’t stay long enough. The crows were harassing something in the woods across the street from the parking area, and we never got to see what it was.

Glenn Jenks

Camden

[Maine-birds] Popham Beach--American Golden Plover

No Snowy Owls or even much action on the ocean today from Popham Beach (about 9 to 11 am), but I was very excited to see one adult American Golden Plover (in addition to one Black-Bellied, though the two were not closely associating). The American Golden Plover retained a fair amount of black flecking on its chest/belly, had noticeably golden-tinged feathers (not breeding-plumage level obviously, but noticeable especially when comparing to the Black-Bellied), and in flight had no black armpits. Also, its cap was still fairly dark, as were its "cheeks"--the bird simply "looked" different even before getting binoculars and scope on it.

Other birds (mostly on or from the island, as it was low tide) include 1 Long-Tailed Duck, 2 each of Horned Grebes, Red-Breasted Mergansers, & Red-Throated Loons, and about 30 Snow Buntings. On the island itself, foraging together, was a Semipalmated Sandpiper and a Dunlin. It was very windy and they didn't seem too inclined to fly, and ended up approaching me within just a couple feet--of course, I had no camera on me (even more unfortunate with the Golden Plover). Only gulls I saw were Herring and Ring-Billed.

Kyle TePoel

East Winthrop, ME

[Maine-birds] Snowy Owl Scarborough Marsh

I made a pre-dusk stop at Seavey's Landing today in hopes of finding a Short-Eared Owl. I did not find one, but there was a Snowy Owl perched atop one of the hunting blinds off the Eastern Rd. There is still a Greater Yellowlegs around also as I heard it call when the owl flew from it's perch.

The BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was present in front of Wise Business Forms again yesterday.

Bird haahd,

Noah Gibb-Portland

[Maine-birds] American Bald Eagle

A wonderful hike up Mansell Mtn. (Long Lake ANP) this morning netted this American Bald Eagle view. We came upon it quickly and even though it's perch was 50-60 feet off the ground, we were nearly level with it only a few yards away.

http://photosbychance.zenfolio.com/p501323621/h4e91dd3#h4e91dd3

Cheers,

Dave

[Maine-birds] Birding at Seawall (Acadia NP) today

Hi all -- just returned from a high tide visit to Seawall. Highlights:

5 Snow Bunting

40 Purple Sandpiper

1 juv N. Harrier

2 N. Gannets

Best,
Craig

[Maine-birds] Gilsland Farm Birdwalks and Snowy Owl Article

Hey everyone:

The birds at Gilsland Farm continue to be pretty diverse given the time of year with 34 species on Thursday and today's breeze froze us at 28. Here are a few notable birds from this week:

On Thursday we had a gorgeous drake Barrow's Goldeneye feeding along the river near the 295 bridge. This is my first of the season and only my second at Gilsland Farm. A single flyover Horned Lark was a personal highlight as a new patch bird for me. Here is a checklist from 21 Nov: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S15725524

Today, a late Yellow-bellied Sapsucker put on a show for us in the apple trees near the environmental center. At the same time a Yellow-rumped Warbler was flitting overhead, making it almost seem more like a mid October day... then the cold wind blew. Here is a complete list from 23 Nov: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S15740473

With all the Snowy Owls being reported, I wanted to point everyone to an article Louis Bevier and I wrote for the Maine eBird Portal: http://ebird.org/content/me/news/snowy-owl-invasion/ Included are a couple new reports, totaling at least ten birds in the last week!

Back at eBird central, Maine's own Luke Seitz recently contributed a great article on "November Birding: Urban and Suburban Microclimates": http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/nov-2013-b/

Good birding,

Doug Hitchcox

Staff Naturalist

Maine Audubon

207-781-2330 x237

dhitchcox@maineaudubon.org

[Maine-birds] Fw: Gull sighting

Here's the story behind yesterday's banded gull in Bath.

Don

From: Jean-François Giroux

Sent: Friday, November 22, 2013 9:30 PM

To: 'Don & Sherry'

Subject: Gull sighting

Please find some details about the marked Ring-billed gull that you have recently reported. Thanks for sending your sightings.

The white codes have taken an iron-colored tint, possibly because of the sites it has visited.

Bye

Jean-François Giroux

Professeur titulaire, Département des sciences biologiques,

Université du Québec à Montréal (UQÀM),

141 Président-Kennedy, SB-2630

CP 8888, Succursale Centre-ville,

Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3C 3P8

Tél: (514) 987-3000 (3353) Fax: (514) 987-4647

Site Internet

Friday 22 November 2013

[Maine-birds] 1000 Common Eider

While on a barge going from Rockland to Cow Island near Marshall Pt, I decided to check out the common eider population.
Mostly had small groups of 4 to 20 birds until coming to the Eastern shore of Cow Island.
There was a flock of 6 to 700 eiders. The largest flock that I have seen in the past few years.
Skip Small
Rockport

Sent from my iPhone

--
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Maine-birds] Ruffed Grouse

Should have mentioned the grouse was in Kennebunkport

--
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Maine-birds] Ruffed Grouse

Looked out the kitchen window this morning and saw what looked like a chicken in our crabapple tree. Turned ou to be a Ruffed grouse.
He came back several times, and seems to be a big crabapple fan!

--
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Maine-birds] Raptors in Belfast

Juv Bald Eagle and adult Red Tail cautiously sharing the same tree on Poor's Mills Rd this am - perhaps keeping an eye on all the geese picking corn.

Sarah

[Maine-birds] various and sundry

Today I visited several disparate and random birding locations. At Pemaquid Point in early morning I found a pine warbler with a group of chickadees, g-c kinglets and a Carolina wren on the east side of the point loop road. At Long Cove Point in Chamberlain, a banded adult bald eagle; I got fairly close up photos, but the band numbers aren't apparent. After leaving Mike Fahay's fine company at Popham, (snowy owl, peregrine, b-b plover, horned larks) I discovered a hermit thrush a short distance up the road. At the Bath water treatment facility, a leg-banded ring-billed that I suspect is part of a Montreal gull study. A blue band with orange lettering KT2. I'll contact my contact up there. A second Montreal bird has hung around Rockland for a few weeks now. That same gull was present in Rockland throughout last winter, but was present at its Montreal breeding grounds last July.

Don

Re: [Maine-birds] Northern hawk Owl in Lincoln

Carl;

Thanks again for keeping tabs on this bird. We all appreciate it. I'm sure I'll bite the bullet and hit the road for at least one more try.

best
mike

On Fri, Nov 22, 2013 at 5:52 PM, Carl Alessi <cfalessi82@gmail.com> wrote:

The Northern Hawk Owl is still around.. We saw it yesterday afternoon at 3 PM and again today at 12:30 PM and again at 3:30 PM.. He(?) seems to be moving around a bit. We saw him 1/4 of a mile north of the Rt 2 (West Broadway)- Penobscot Valley Ave intersection late today, earlier he was 1/4 mile east of the intersection. Yesterday he was a few hundred yards south of the intersection. Saw him catch and eat a small rodent yesterday.
Happy hunting.

--
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Maine-birds] Northern hawk Owl in Lincoln

The Northern Hawk Owl is still around.. We saw it yesterday afternoon at 3 PM and again today at 12:30 PM and again at 3:30 PM.. He(?) seems to be moving around a bit. We saw him 1/4 of a mile north of the Rt 2 (West Broadway)- Penobscot Valley Ave intersection late today, earlier he was 1/4 mile east of the intersection. Yesterday he was a few hundred yards south of the intersection. Saw him catch and eat a small rodent yesterday.

Happy hunting.

[Maine-birds] Snowy Owl irruption (?)

It's cool to check out the red spots piling up on eBird maps. Except for a "pioneer" at Biddeford (and Rimouski-Bout quai Onondaga, Rimouski-Neigette County, Quebec, CA) on Nov 16, a whole bunch arrived between Acadia and Sandy Hook-Sea Bright, NJ between the 20th and 22nd. Many also hit Quebec City and the Great Lakes during the same 3 days.

http://ebird.org/ebird/map/snoowl1?neg=true&env.minX=&env.minY=&env.maxX=&env.maxY=&zh=false&gp=false&ev=Z&mr=on&bmo=11&emo=12&yr=cur

The next several days will no doubt add many more.

[Maine-birds] 1000 Common Eider Day

Today was on a barge from Rockland to Cow Island. Decided to do a personal survey of Common Eiders. Most of the trip saw only small groups of 4 to twenty nut just East of Cow Island had a flock of 6 to 700 birds . Been a long time seen that many in one flock .
Other birds;
300 Long-tail Ducks
50 Black Guillemots
110 Surf Scoters
1 Eagle
30 Bonaparte's Gulls
20 Red-breasted Mergansers
Skip Small
Rockport

Sent from my iPhone

--
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Maine-birds] SNOWY OWL, Tuckahoe Turf Farm, Sanford Sewer visit

At Tuckahoe is a SNOWY OWL just before sunset. View this checklist online
at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S15734930

I walked around Sanford Sewer in the rain this morning. View this
checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S15734921

Happy birding
Andy Aldrich

--
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Maine-birds] Additional Highlights This Week and Goose Fields Update, 11/16-22

Hi all,

Just a couple of additional notes from the past seven days which found me busier than the birding:

- 58+ Horned Larks and 1 Snow Bunting, Mayall Road, Gray/New Gloucester, 11/16 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).

- Up to 4 Chipping Sparrows, here at the store, 11/16-present. One adult arrived on 11/16, grew to FOUR (three adults, 1 first-winter) on 11/18, and one adult continues through this afternoon.

- 1 continuing female BLACK SCOTER, 1 continuing female SURF SCOTER, 38 Greater Scaup, 31 Lesser Scaup, etc, Lake Auburn, Auburn, 11/21 (with Dan Nickerson).

- 1 Lapland Longspur, 100 Snow Buntings, and 8 Horned Larks, Mayall Road, Gray/New Gloucester, 11/21 (with Dan Nickerson).

- 23 American Coots and 68 Ruddy Ducks Prout's Pond, Scarborough, 11/22.

- 5 American Wigeons, 2 American Coots, 2 Lesser Scaup, and 1 Greater Scaup, Grondin Pond, Scarborough, 11/22.

- 2 Black-bellied Plovers and 5 Snow Buntings, Ferry Beach, Scarborough, 11/22.

- 6 continuing LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, 2 continuing WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, 1 continuing Greater Yellowlegs, 158 Dunlin, 10 Horned Larks, 1 Peregrine Falcon, etc, Eastern Road Trail, Scarborough Marsh, 11/22.

- scattered Fox Sparrows at various locations this week.

- a handful of scattered Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles.

"Greater Yarmouth Goose Fields" Update:

Still no rarities...sigh. Good numbers of Canada Geese continue however, with a high count this week of 876 on 11/20.

-Derek

[Maine-birds] Biweekly Belfast Bay census

Here is the ebird URL to get today's results. Raw day, but a good collection of birds and a good time.

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S15734386

Ron Harrell

[Maine-birds] Snowy Owl @ Mt A

The owl moved from the platform and just spent from 1:30-2:30 on the Blueberry Bluff sign to the left as you approach the parking lot on top.

Jerry Kelly

Portsmouth

[Maine-birds] another snowy owl

At the risk of "piling on", there was a young Snowy Owl perched on a rock farther offshore than the Fox Islands (off Popham Beach) this late morning. Ran into Don Reimers there and he and I got unsatisfactory (distant) looks. This bird is much darker on the chest than the face. Where it will settle remains to be seen.

Isn't it great when this flurry of Snowy Owl sightings happens?

Also at Popham (or nearby) this morning:

- an adult "Tundra" Peregrine Falcon, perched more than an hour on piece of driftwood

- 40 Horned Larks dragging around at least one L Longspur. Also 3 Ipswich Sparrows.

- A Black-headed Gull, sort of next to a flock of 35 Bonies, feeding on zooplankton

- 152 Dunlins in Spirit Pond

- A solo Lesser Scaup at Alliquippa

- a huge, building flock of Am Robins circulating between Bald Head and Small Point.

Actually a pretty good morning of birding, in this sketchy weather. I elected to leave my new camera in the truck, due to nearly constant driz.

Re: [Maine-birds] SNOWY OWL ATOP MT AGAMENTICUS 10am Today, Friday

http://www.agamenticus.org/index.php/mt-a-webcam

Great tip! Playing the movie at the lower right ("last full day" but it seems just this morning actually) is worthwhile. Make sure to expand the movie by clicking the arrows at the right.

The Snowy Owl first appears on the platform at 07:24 this morning and stays there until 10:13, when some humans ascend the platform. After they leave, the bird returns 25 minutes later at 10:38 and remains on perch up to now. Very cool!! If you don't like cool, then try this webcam: http://sabalpalmsanctuary.org/feedercam/ I just got two Green Jays, four (oh, make that five) Plain Chachalacas, and a Snowy Owl within seconds of each other by switching windows.

Louis Bevier

Fairfield

RE: [Maine-birds] Re: SNOWY OWL ATOP MT AGAMENTICUS 10am Today, Friday

It is!

http://www.agamenticus.org/index.php/mt-a-webcam

I guess this is a good time to start my web-cam list.

Snowy Owl #1

===============================
Michael Smith MS GISP
State GIS Manager, Maine Office of GIS
State of Maine, Office of Information Technology
michael.smith _at_ maine.gov 207-215-5530

Board Member, Maine GeoLibrary
Education Chair, Maine GIS Users Group
State Rep, National States Geographic Information Council

State House Station 145
51 Commerce Drive
Augusta, ME 04333-0145
69^o 47' 58.9"W 44^o 21' 54.8"N

From: maine-birds@googlegroups.com [mailto:maine-birds@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of djbythesea
Sent: Friday, November 22, 2013 11:44 AM
To: maine-birds@googlegroups.com
Subject: [Maine-birds] Re: SNOWY OWL ATOP MT AGAMENTICUS 10am Today, Friday

On Friday, November 22, 2013 11:43:03 AM UTC-5, djbythesea wrote:

Please see Mt Agamenticus Conservation Region's FaceBook page for one of my photos of the Snowy Owl. We are guessing it is an Immature Male.

Still there when we left at about 11;35am. Should be on Mt A webcam right now.

[Maine-birds] Re: SNOWY OWL ATOP MT AGAMENTICUS 10am Today, Friday

On Friday, November 22, 2013 11:43:03 AM UTC-5, djbythesea wrote:

Please see Mt Agamenticus Conservation Region's FaceBook page for one of my photos of the Snowy Owl. We are guessing it is an Immature Male.

Still there when we left at about 11;35am. Should be on Mt A webcam right now.

[Maine-birds] SNOWY OWL ATOP MT AGAMENTICUS 10am Today, Friday

Please see Mt Agamenticus Conservation Region's FaceBook page for one of my photos of the Snowy Owl. We are guessing it is an Immature Male.

[Maine-birds] Barred Owl

spotted a Barred Owl on the side of the road in Gray, near a brook/pasture field last evening. maybe just got him/herself a snack! looked healthy!

--
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Maine-birds] Pheasant

At 8:12 AM today beside the northbound lane of I-295 at mile 30 (between Topsham & Richmond), a male ring-necked pheasant.

--
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

Thursday 21 November 2013

[Maine-birds] Lincoln Hawk Owl

My wife and I are visiting in the Belfast area until late next week. Does anyone have an update on the Hawk Owl in Lincoln?

John Cole

Columbus, Georgia

[Maine-birds] Large gathering of Bald Eagles in Lubec

En route to West Quoddy Head lighthouse we stopped to look at large flocks of gulls. But overhead was a greater show! In every direction we looked, Bald Eagles were soaring or perched. There were at least 41 eagles that we could see at once, but we know there were more as we could see birds soaring over Campobello and Quoddy Head. From the South Lubec Road we scoped two sand/gravel bars in the bay and counted 22 Bald Eagles (only 4 were adults). Actually, the majority of birds we saw this morning were immatures. There was a lot of interaction among the eagles - lots of "talon-touching"!! Also, circling with the soaring eagles were gulls, ravens and crows. We saw a Sharp-shinned Hawk harassing a raven!

Is there a major eagle wintering roost in that area or is this unusual? We've never seen this many eagles before in this area. Anybody know anything about it?

Of interest from Quoddy Head we saw 15 Purple Sandpipers, 3 Black-legged Kittiwakes and a first-year Iceland Gull.

Merle and Anne Archie

[Maine-birds] Snowy Owl

Two friends saw and photographed a Snowy Owl on the Prouts Neck end of Scarborough Beach yesterday morning, Wed Nov 20, at 9:15 am.

Guessing that this might have been the Biddeford bird en route to Casco Bay?

Lucy LaCasse

52 Old Neck Rd

Scarborough, ME 04074

207-883-3637

207-928-3637 (Stoneham)

207-650-4770 (cell)

wnder@aol.com