Monday 25 August 2014

[Maine-birds] MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND REPORT

As the spell of fair weather continues there has been increasing marine activity near the island.
PORPOISE, DOLPHINS, MINKE WHALES, GANNETS, 3 SHEARWATER species, BLUEFIN TUNA & STORM PETRELS have been joining the usual compliment of PUFFINS, GULLS & SEALS in some fairly large feeding events.

On land, the activity has shifted slightly.
The 1st HUMMINGBIRDS have appeared, just as the PURPLE ASTER is coming into bloom.
BUTTERFLIES are still scarce and mostly limited to a few WHITES and SULPHURS.

Occasional wanders continue with a couple YELLOW RUMPED WARBLERS, 1 BLACK & WHITE WARBLER, 2 RED BREASTED NUTHATCHES, 4 CEDAR WAXWINGS and a YELLOW BILLED CUCKOO seen Sunday.

The main actors Sunday were the many flycatchers, especially the YELLOW BELLIED FLYCATCHERS. Some of them spent most of their time feeding around the boardwalks and lawns and they didn't mind being within inches of me, even using my camera lens as a perch.
The other species tended to be a bit more wary although some of the LEAST FLYCATCHERS were okay with a 30-40 foot approach.
Also identified were OLIVE SIDED FLYCATCHER & WILLOW FLYCATCHER.
Most of the flycatchers went unidentified.

A few shorebirds are hanging around but little variety: SPOTTIES, LEAST & SEMIPALMATED mainly, with occassional fly-bys from YELLOWLEGS or similiar species.

HARRIERS continue to hunt the island as they migrate daily. They make life interesting for the resident SAVANNAH SPARROWS, some of which are rearing their 3rd brood.

PUFFINS continue feeding chicks but the number drops daily.
Pufflings appear nightly and at about the same numbers. Most appear healthy although I'm not overjoyed with their weights.

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