Maine birds And MOAC mountainbiking: June 2015

Tuesday, 30 June 2015

[Maine-birds] LITTLE EGRET - Gilsland Farm, 6/30

Saw him at 12:30 @ Gilsland Farm. Yay!

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[Maine-birds] LITTLE EGRET - Gilsland Farm, 6/30

Passing along a report that the LITTLE EGRET is currently off the North Meadow at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth. Working its way upriver so it'll probably head towards Tidewater after this.

Good luck to those chasing,

Doug Hitchcox

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[Maine-birds] Northern Goshawk - Back Cove 6/30/15 AM

Yes, I was very surprised to find an adult male nearly invisible in the tall grass near the water at around 7:40 AM. Not his usual habitat at all. I initially observed him for 20 minutes. He never moved or changed position (fully facing me) or even turned his head. All I could see was the straight-on face with black head cap and red eyes, and his pale grey chest. I could not make out any barrings, but that could have been distance (about 50 - 60 ft with 10x43 bins) or possibly having chest feathers slightly raised. I ultimately left and continued my walk. Twenty minutes later when I passed his spot again he was still there, posture unchanged. His location: walking (or driving) away from Hannaford along Baxter Blvd, between mile post 1.5 and post 1.75, closer to first. Also between fancy metal seat and stone bench, and extremely close to the large hollow tree on the water side. I kept looking for another walker with bins, but there were none, so I could not get a verified sighting.

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[Maine-birds] PACIFIC LOON, yes, Simpson's Pt, Brunswick, 6/30

Hi all,

Gordon Smith's incredibly June find continues at Simpon's Pt this morning. The bird has been present for the last 30 minutes at the high tide, although it is not close at the moment. Phone-scoped pictures are quite reminiscent of the Loch Ness Monster.

The drake BUFFLEHEAD, 2 RED-THROATED LOONS (and several Commons) and 3 LONG-TAILED DUCKS are also present at this incredible mid-summer "winter waterbird" hotspot. No scoters in sight at the moment though.

-Derek

Sent from my iPhone

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Monday, 29 June 2015

[Maine-birds] Pacific Loon at Simpson Point in Brunswick

Monday evening, a very excellent-looking adult breeding plumaged Pacific Loon was observed in Middle Bay off Simpson Point in Brunswick. The bird was located approximately 600 yards from Simpson Point in a southerly direction toward Scrag (Serag) Island. In addition, there was a pair of Red-throated loons (unusual on this date) which passed very close to the Pacific Loon, providing a good comparison. Also unusual on this date, an adult male Bufflehead, 11 Black scoters and 4 Long-tailed ducks were observed.

Gordon Smith

Brunswick

[Maine-birds] Little Egret, Falmouth, 6/29 pm

Derek and I are currently viewing the Little Egret, visible from the South Meadow at Gilsland Farm at 4:15.

-Jeannette

Sent from my iPhone

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Sunday, 28 June 2015

[Maine-birds] fledgling red-bellieds in Warren

At least two fledgling woodpeckers visited my feeders with their parents this afternoon. Once introduced to a suet block by a parent, one fledgling really pigged out. Although red-bellieds are commonly found in my neighborhood, this is the first successful nesting that I've witnessed.

Don

[Maine-birds] Maine-NH tour for WINGS: 159 species and highlights, 6/20-27

Hi all,

I just wrapped up my comprehensive, exhaustive, and yes, rather exhausting 10-day (8 full days of birding) tour for WINGS. Despite some challenges from weather and the "odd" breeding season, we managed 159 species, including just about all (as usual, there were a few misses) of the regular breeders: 20 species of warblers, 9 species of flycatcher, 7 species of thrush (Bicknell's Thrush only in NH), 5 species of tern, 5 species of vireo, 4 species of alcids, etc.

While most of the highlights were the expected but much sought-after breeding species, a few of the unexpected goodies included the following:

- 6 White-winged Scoters, Pine Point Beach, Scarborough, 6/20.

- 1 imm. male Purple Martin, Pine Point, 6/20 (exploring possible nesting/roosting locations, including trying to fight a House Sparrow for the line-marker ball over the parking lot).

- 2 Black-bellied Plovers, Pine Point, 6/20.

- LITTLE EGRET, Falmouth, 6/20.

- 1 Northern Gannet continuing on Machias Seal Island, 6/24.

- 1 pair Black Scoters, Quoddy Head State Park, Lubec, 6/25.

- Bar Harbor Whale/puffin watch trip, 6/26:

2 Manx Shearwaters

3 Leach's Storm-Petrels

12 Great Shearwaters

10 Northern Fulmars

350+ Wilson's Storm-Petrels

4 Northern Gannets

- 7 Great Cormorants, Acadia National Park, 6/26.

A great 10 days!

-Derek

*****************************************
Derek and Jeannette Lovitch
Freeport Wild Bird Supply
541 Route One, Suite 10
Freeport, ME 04032
207-865-6000
www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com

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

Saturday, 27 June 2015

[Maine-birds] Bar Harbor Pelagic - Cory's Shearwater

A single Cory's Shearwater was seen very well (within 50 yards of bow of boat) by a group of birders aboard

the Friendship V Saturday morning. The bird was spotted sitting on the water and then launching into flight

in the vicinity of the "Ballpark". Good long look as it flew along starboard side. (Details in eBird report).

Other birds included: 5 Northern Fulmar, 60+ Wilson's Storm Petrels, 14 Great Shearwaters, and a

handful of Northern Gannet. No whales were seen.

[Maine-birds] Hermit thrush

Is singing his heart out here. Can anyone give me a clue as to why we haven't heard him all spring, not until day before yesterday? Since then, almost non- stop.

Mary Lou in Sullivan

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Friday, 26 June 2015

Re: [Maine-birds] Digest for maine-birds@googlegroups.com - 3 updates in 3 topics

The Little Egret was seen in the mudflats off Gilsland farm and at Tidewater Farms today around noon. Danny Danforth

On Fri, Jun 26, 2015 at 4:45 PM, <maine-birds@googlegroups.com> wrote:

maine-birds@googlegroups.com Google Groups

Topic digest
View all topics

Stud Mill Road Indigo bunting - 1 Update

Backyard Birds - 1 Update

Mocking Bird - 1 Update

Stud Mill Road Indigo bunting

David Small <docfinsdave@gmail.com>: Jun 26 02:30PM -0400

This is the last place I expected to see and photograph my first indigo
bunting. I'm pleased, but I'll shoot for improvement. The female common
yellowthroat was foraging with a male in some raspberry thickets and didn't
seem too concerned with me. A quick shot at a passing bank swallow was a
surprise.

http://photosbychance.zenfolio.com/p432832521/h4c5a5449#h4c5a5449

Cheers,
Dave

Back to top

Backyard Birds

Dave Thompson <mainedave12@gmail.com>: Jun 26 08:05AM -0700

This morning in my Hollis backyad I heard a Bicknell's thrush and saw a young red-breasted nuthatch; 2 young red-bellied wp; one young flicker. And a creeper. This area does well with breeding woodpeckers. Should be seeing sapsucker and hairy as well.

Back to top

Mocking Bird

Carl Small <triton469@yahoo.com>: Jun 26 07:25AM -0400

FOS Mocking Bird at Rockland Shipyard

Skip Small

Sent from my iPhone

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Loring M. Danforth

Telephone: 207-786-6081

Fax: 207-786-8333

4 Andrews Rd.

Bates College

Lewiston, ME 04240

[Maine-birds] Stud Mill Road Indigo bunting

This is the last place I expected to see and photograph my first indigo bunting. I'm pleased, but I'll shoot for improvement. The female common yellowthroat was foraging with a male in some raspberry thickets and didn't seem too concerned with me. A quick shot at a passing bank swallow was a surprise.

http://photosbychance.zenfolio.com/p432832521/h4c5a5449#h4c5a5449

Cheers,

Dave

[Maine-birds] Backyard Birds

This morning in my Hollis backyad I heard a Bicknell's thrush and saw a young red-breasted nuthatch; 2 young red-bellied wp; one young flicker. And a creeper. This area does well with breeding woodpeckers. Should be seeing sapsucker and hairy as well.

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[Maine-birds] Mocking Bird

FOS Mocking Bird at Rockland Shipyard

Skip Small

Sent from my iPhone

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Thursday, 25 June 2015

[Maine-birds] LITTLE EGRET - Gilsland Farm, 6/25

I just got a text from Deb and Ed Hawkes that the LITTLE EGRET finally showed up off the North Meadow at Gilsland Farm (in Falmouth) at 11:40AM.

We missed it during the bird walk from 7-9:30, probably because the tide was too high.

Good luck to all chasing!

Doug Hitchcox

Sent from my iPhone

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Wednesday, 24 June 2015

[Maine-birds] Stratton Island

Spaces are still available for our Stratton Island Trips

Not far from the Scarborough shore, Stratton Island is a nesting colony and roosting site for a remarkable diversity of coastal birds.

A project site of National Audubon's internationally-recognized Seabird Restoration Program, Stratton is normally inaccessible to visitors. On these special outings, however, we will be able to land and have a uniquely intimate experience among a thousand pairs of terns. Observation blinds provide remarkable photographic opportunities. The island's extraordinary bird colony includes little blue and black-crowned night-herons; snowy and great egrets; glossy ibis; common, roseate, arctic, and least terns; blue-winged teal; sora; and one of Maine's rarest breeding birds: the American oystercatcher.

Two spaces just opened up for this Sunday's trip which runs from 8:30 to Noon. If you are interested click here for details and to register. This trip is lead by Linda Woodard and Richard "Turk" Duddy
Stratton Island I June 28

Limited spaces are also available for our other two trips,
Stratton Island II July 8 from 12:00 to 3:30 This trip is lead by Linda Woodard and Doug Hitchcox.

And

Stratton Island III July 12 This trip is lead by Linda Woodard and Noah Gibb.

Linda Woodard II Maine Audubon

Director of Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center

_______________________________

20 Gilsland Farm Road, Falmouth, ME 04105

Scarborough Marsh: 207- 883-5100

mobile 207-415-8331

web maineaudubon.org

[Maine-birds] Laudholm Farm, study in SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS

Hello,

David Doubleday and a group of about 10 people watched 3 different
SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS. I took many pictures of two of them and have loaded
8 pictures onto Flickr into an album called SHARP-TAILED. Also two videos
to hear the sound. I did not have a tripod, so not great for viewing bird.
Pictures on log are 9949, 9917, 9982, and 0049. Pictures on roots
and this is a different bird, 0004, 0025, 0034, 0044

Some are going with Nelson's and some are thinking Saltmarsh. What
do you think??
The link is here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/22247688@N04/sets/72157654604133220 Another
link to the site https://www.flickr.com/photos/22247688@N04/

Happy birding
Andy Aldrich

View this checklist online at
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S24036648

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

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[Maine-birds] LITTLE EGRET Gilsland Farm 6/24

The Little Egret is now being viewed in the North Meadow blind.

Tuesday, 23 June 2015

[Maine-birds] LITTLE EGRET - Gilsland Farm, 6/23

Traczie Bellinger and I are watching the LITTLE EGRET feeding with two Snowy and one Great Egret off the North Meadow at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth right now (8:30am).

Good birding,

Doug Hitchcox

Sent from my iPhone

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Monday, 22 June 2015

Re: [Maine-birds] Re: kingbird riding on eagle

I had this occur today with a Red-Winged Blackbird and Kildeer taking turns on a Red Tailed Hawk. I don't think either bird realized the hawk already had supper in its clutches in the form of a chipmunk. The other Kildeer was huddled on what I would assume was the nest while this went on overhead.

RTH and RWB

RTH with RWB and KD

On Sunday, June 21, 2015 at 11:54:17 PM UTC-4, lindap...@yahoo.com wrote:

This happens a lot with our eagles on Sebago Lake. We have watched this behavior for years. They have ridden on their backs as well as riding on their heads. Sometimes the eagle is flying in with a fish when they jump on sometimes he is just taking off and they fly after him and jump on. It is amazing to watch.

They also like to fly at the eagle, when the eagle is just sitting on a tree branch, it just starts hitting the eagle on the head over and over again. The eagle does nothing, sometimes he just ducks a little. Nervy little bird!!

Linda Panzera

From: "'chrm...@yahoo.com' via Maine birds" <maine...@googlegroups.com>
To: Aaron Morris <dra...@gmail.com>; maine...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Sunday, June 21, 2015 10:07 PM
Subject: [Maine-birds] Re: kingbird riding on eagle

Kayaking on Lake Arrowhead on Saturday morning, I went to visit our local eagle nest where I saw the adult eagle feed the young eagles and then take off.

A kingbird nearby flew up over the flying eagle and landed on its back, and took a ride.

I saw this happen twice. Today I went back when the weather finally cleared out and found another couple who saw the same behavior. Had anyone else seen this happen?

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S® 5 ACTIVE™, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

-------- Original message --------
From: Aaron Morris <dra...@gmail.com>
Date: 06/21/2015 4:21 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: chrm...@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Eagle

Nice meeting you. Hope one of us captures it on video.
Aaron

On Jun 21, 2015, at 4:03 PM, "chrm...@yahoo.com" <chrm...@yahoo.com> wrote:

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S® 5 ACTIVE™, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

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[Maine-birds] Weekly Wednesday Scarborough Marsh bird walks

Attention birders,

I just wanted to remind anyone who may be interested that the weekly Maine Audubon bird walks at the Scarborough Marsh are on Wednesday mornings from 7:00-8:30 am. Meet at the nature center on Pine Pt Rd (Rte 9) bright and early and we will carpool to the best spot(s) that suit the tide and time of year. There is a small fee that 100% supports Maine Audubon (volunteers are free).

We are right in the heart of the breeding season, so we can usually locate both Nelson's and Saltmarsh Sparrows. Great views can be had of a multitude of wading birds including Little Blue Heron, Glossy Ibis, and even an occasional White-Faced Ibis. Willets are everywhere right now as are 4 species of swallows with more possibilities coming soon when fall migration picks up next month!

At lower tides while migration is in full swing, we head down to Pine Point which can be loaded up with migratory shorebirds and also hosts occasional views of our rare and locally breeding American Oystercatchers. Common, Least, and Roseate Terns also breed nearby and frequently feed in the Scarborough River along with Bald Eagles and Ospreys.

Hope to see some of you out there!

Noah Gibb-Portland, ME

[Maine-birds] Ruddy Turnstones

There were 3 beautiful R. Turnstones on the oyster leases today as I flipped traps up and down the river. Very bright plumages too on all 3.

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[Maine-birds] Monhegan

Three great days on Monhegan. Eiders, black guillemots, song sparrows, various gulls and a special flight of about 12 great blue herons landing on Smutty Nose early Saturday morning.

http://photosbychance.zenfolio.com/p432832521/h4bae58c3#h4bae58c3

Cheers,

Dave

[Maine-birds] Crow/snake

Watched a five minute battle between a crow and snake on my front lawn. Finally Crow flew off with snake in his bill-
Skip Small
Rockport

Sent from my iPhone

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Sunday, 21 June 2015

Re: [Maine-birds] Re: kingbird riding on eagle

This happens a lot with our eagles on Sebago Lake. We have watched this behavior for years. They have ridden on their backs as well as riding on their heads. Sometimes the eagle is flying in with a fish when they jump on sometimes he is just taking off and they fly after him and jump on. It is amazing to watch.

They also like to fly at the eagle, when the eagle is just sitting on a tree branch, it just starts hitting the eagle on the head over and over again. The eagle does nothing, sometimes he just ducks a little. Nervy little bird!!

Linda Panzera

From: "'chrmingme@yahoo.com' via Maine birds" <maine-birds@googlegroups.com>
To: Aaron Morris <drajmo@gmail.com>; maine-birds@googlegroups.com
Sent: Sunday, June 21, 2015 10:07 PM
Subject: [Maine-birds] Re: kingbird riding on eagle

Kayaking on Lake Arrowhead on Saturday morning, I went to visit our local eagle nest where I saw the adult eagle feed the young eagles and then take off.

A kingbird nearby flew up over the flying eagle and landed on its back, and took a ride.

I saw this happen twice. Today I went back when the weather finally cleared out and found another couple who saw the same behavior. Had anyone else seen this happen?

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S® 5 ACTIVE™, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

-------- Original message --------
From: Aaron Morris <drajmo@gmail.com>
Date: 06/21/2015 4:21 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: chrmingme@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Eagle

Nice meeting you. Hope one of us captures it on video.

Aaron

On Jun 21, 2015, at 4:03 PM, "chrmingme@yahoo.com" <chrmingme@yahoo.com> wrote:

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S® 5 ACTIVE™, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

Re: [Maine-birds] Re: kingbird riding on eagle

Kingbirds are fearless about protecting their nesting area. Here's a shot of just what you describe.

Must have been amazing to watch!

Alicia

On 6/21/2015 10:07 PM, 'chrmingme@yahoo.com' via Maine birds wrote:

Kayaking on Lake Arrowhead on Saturday morning, I went to visit our local eagle nest where I saw the adult eagle feed the young eagles and then take off.

A kingbird nearby flew up over the flying eagle and landed on its back, and took a ride.

I saw this happen twice. Today I went back when the weather finally cleared out and found another couple who saw the same behavior. Had anyone else seen this happen?

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S® 5 ACTIVE™, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

-------- Original message --------
From: Aaron Morris <drajmo@gmail.com>
Date: 06/21/2015 4:21 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: chrmingme@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Eagle

Nice meeting you. Hope one of us captures it on video.

Aaron

On Jun 21, 2015, at 4:03 PM, "chrmingme@yahoo.com" <chrmingme@yahoo.com> wrote:

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S® 5 ACTIVE™, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

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[Maine-birds] Re: kingbird riding on eagle

Kayaking on Lake Arrowhead on Saturday morning, I went to visit our local eagle nest where I saw the adult eagle feed the young eagles and then take off.

A kingbird nearby flew up over the flying eagle and landed on its back, and took a ride.

I saw this happen twice. Today I went back when the weather finally cleared out and found another couple who saw the same behavior. Had anyone else seen this happen?

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S® 5 ACTIVE™, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

-------- Original message --------
From: Aaron Morris <drajmo@gmail.com>
Date: 06/21/2015 4:21 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: chrmingme@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Eagle

Nice meeting you. Hope one of us captures it on video.

Aaron

On Jun 21, 2015, at 4:03 PM, "chrmingme@yahoo.com" <chrmingme@yahoo.com> wrote:

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S® 5 ACTIVE™, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

[Maine-birds] American oystercatchers at Laudholm Farm

Saturday 6/20 around 3 pm we saw 2 adult oystercatchers fly off the ocean into the cove near all the wonderful least tern families and then veer out and fly south hugging the shore.
Saw two adult piping plovers and 4 chicks.
Several dozen adult least terns bringing food back to young. Only two common terns harassing them while we were there.
Saw several adult willets as we hiked from the beach to the farm, including one that stood atop a tall pine tree calling constantly. We were some distance away but got great views through the scope.

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[Maine-birds] Toe-challenged Woodpeckers...

They grow up so fast.

It seems like only yesterday (April 30^th) that I watched a black-backed woodpecker widening the nest cavity used by American three-toed woodpeckers last year on the Harvester Road west of Baxter. Two weeks ago, I watched black-backed woodpecker parents carrying food to the little dickens, and they were still doing it a week ago. Yesterday, the male youngster was grown enough to stick his head out of the cavity, rather than waiting for mom to enter with food. His little yellow button cap was only half the size of his father’s, but he was twice as loud and persistent. He should fledge any minute, along with any kin in there with him. With luck, they’ll be there on Wednesday when Seth Benz and I chase northern woodpeckers with a few guests in tow.

The American three-toed woodpecker near Nesowadnehunk Lake Wilderness Campground is staying very close to the same spot, a week after I last looked. He was in virtually the same spot, but I haven’t bothered to find the nest – its wicked damp back there. I assume the nestlings will also fledge soon.

Gray Jays are being trailed by youngsters. Boreal chickadees are vocal a little earlier than usual up in the north woods. Methinks summer has arrived.

Bob Duchesne

Woodpecker whisperer

[Maine-birds] Swifts

Sort of like swallows over the cities of Italy, the chimney swifts dominate the skies over the towns of the Berkshires. Just watching them by the dozens over Great Barrington-- and suddenly they're gone. Don't know which chimney they dove into!

Mary Lou from Sullivan

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[Maine-birds] Greater Yellowlegs at Ship Harbor, Acadia NP

Hi all -- On a walk along the Ship Harbor Trail in Acadia yesterday, we heard and saw a respectably late Greater Yellowlegs coming up out of the tidal inlet.

Best,

Craig K

[Maine-birds] LITTLE EGRET - Falmouth, 6/21

Passing along a report from Cheryl and Panos (from Atlanta) that they had the LITTLE EGRET off Tidewater Farm in Falmouth this evening around 5:10pm.

Good birding,

Doug Hitchcox

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[Maine-birds] Cedar Waxwings Mt A

CWW and juveniles continue to be abundant at the summit. Saw young juveniles last weekend in the berry bushes behind the former barn and up in the oaks overlooking them . This morning they seemed to find shelter from rain in the White Fir off the corner of the lodge deck.
Prairie Warblers spotted and heard all week at the summit as well as numerous others even from the access road - BT Green Warbler, Ovenbird, Hermit Thrush...

Sent from my iPhone

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Saturday, 20 June 2015

[Maine-birds] bittern

An American bittern was hunting a newly mowed field on the Goodhue Road this afternoon. A bad day for the bobolinks however--nearly all the fields in my neighborhood were hayed. If they had just waited a week...

Julia

Re: [Maine-birds] Little Egret, Providence Ave, 1:50pm

Just flew in to Tidewater Farm.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 20, 2015, at 1:54 PM, 'Derek Lovitch' via Maine birds <maine-birds@googlegroups.com> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
> My WINGS tour and I are currently looking at the LITTLE EGRET from the end of Providence Ave, Falmouth. It was right at the edge of the marsh, but flew across to the 295 side. We're going to see if we're closer to to at Tidewater Farm.
> -Derek
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
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[Maine-birds] Little Egret, Providence Ave, 1:50pm

Hi all,
My WINGS tour and I are currently looking at the LITTLE EGRET from the end of Providence Ave, Falmouth. It was right at the edge of the marsh, but flew across to the 295 side. We're going to see if we're closer to to at Tidewater Farm.
-Derek

Sent from my iPhone

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[Maine-birds] Little Egret is at tidewater

The little egret is now visible at Tidewater Gardens farm. Very close to shore. Tidewater Gardens is behind the Walmart in Falmouth

Sent from my iPhone

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[Maine-birds] Spruce Grouse, Red Crossbills at Mason Bay

Some good birding this morning at the Mason Bay Conservation Area in Jonesport/Jonesboro. A Spruce Grouse hen with chicks was the highlight, but I also had 4 Red Crossbills (flyover) and a nice Bay-breasted Warbler on territory. Full list here:

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23980148

Good birding,
Willy Hutcheson
Great Wass

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Friday, 19 June 2015

[Maine-birds] Orchard Oriole

A first year male Orchard Oriole was seen and heard for several hours this AM on the Loud Road in Plymouth. It was in the area where the road crosses Marsh Stream, at the Plymouth-Dixmont line.

[Maine-birds] This Week's Highlights, 6/13-19

Hi all,

I spent most of my birding time in New Hampshire this week, but a few sightings of note over the past seven days for me here in Maine included:

- 1 continuing male Orchard Oriole, Capisic Pond Park, Portland, 6/15 (with Jeannette).

- 1 RED CROSSBILL, our yard in Pownal, 6/15.

- 5 Upland Sandpipers, 10 Grasshopper Sparrows, 18 Vesper Sparrows, etc, Kennebunk Plains, 6/16 (with Jeannette).

- 1 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (late migrant), Peak's Island, 6/18.

-Derek

[Maine-birds] Little Egret

Currently well-seen from Tidewater Farm demo garden behind Walmart in Falmouth. (10:48 am)

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[Maine-birds] Little Egret

After 5 days of trying, finally visible from Gilsland Farm N. Meadow.

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[Maine-birds] Gray Jays, Cutler 6/18/15

Greetings!

I hiked and birded the roughly 10-mile loop at the Cutler coast, moving counterclockwise between 10am and 4pm. Two Gray Jays were at the beginning of the small bog boardwalk about a half mile south along the inland trail. I got photos and will add them to the eBird list when I get back to civilization.

On another note, I've been looking regularly for Boreal Chickadee and Spruce Grouse since I arrived a week ago in Beals, but have come up empty, despite some fairly concerted effort. I've had them at Boot Head in the past, but are they growing scarce elsewhere in coastal Washington Co.?

Here's a link to my Cutler list:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23964086

Good birding,

Willy Hutcheson
Great Wass Island

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Thursday, 18 June 2015

[Maine-birds] Black Rapid Camera Strap

I love this strap and have not noticed wear after a few years of use. Makes it easy to switch from bins to camera. However mine does loosen maybe after a few days. After having my old camera drop from it to a cement step I now check it each time before using it. My fault for assuming it would stay tight.

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[Maine-birds] Yellow bellied sapsucker West Kennebunk

Have enjoyed my first ever pair of yellow bellied sapsuckers nesting here this year; the female has carried a lot of grape jelly to presumed young ones in the last week. She is one of the females that has no red on her throat-just a black "band".

Also have had a pair of nesting Brown Thrashers for the first time in 16 years-they are enjoying the suet and push off anyone in the way! 5 Baltimore Oriole nests are close by; there is a nesting pair of Yellow throated Vireos as well 2 pair of Chestnut sided Warblers but no common Yellow throats here at all. A bit of an unusual year....

Sharon in West K.

[Maine-birds] hybrid gull Falmouth

My notes on the hybrid gull at Falmouth last Saturday:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23895465
My photos are here too: https://www.flickr.com/gp/lrbevier/8V86Mg

The slaty underside to the outer primaries plus the pale gray back and
ghost-like dark hood sweeping up the nape are Black-head Gull traits.
The large white "mirrors" on the outer primaries appear to be a result
of reducing the largely white pattern in those feathers on a normal
adult Black-headed with the mostly black primaries of Ring-billed,
which has smaller subterminal white mirrors. Other putative
Black-headed x Ring-billed hybrids have shown this pattern, which is
reminiscent of Mew Gull, another species that hybridizes with
Black-headed Gull. It would be expected that the darker gray
upperparts of Mew Gull might impart a darker gray tone on a hybrid,
but characters are not always intermediate between parent taxa. (The
Falmouth bird's upperparts were essentially the same pale gray as
Ring-billed and Black-headed.)

Other presumed Black-headed x Ring-billed hybrids differ from the
Falmouth bird in being larger, closer to Ring-billed in size, and in
having white tips to the primaries like those seen on adult large
white-headed gulls, e.g. Ring-billed. Given the uniformly pale greater
primary coverts and other characters, the Falmouth bird appeared to be
in adult (definitive) plumage.

Black-headed Gulls nest with Ring-billed Gulls in Newfoundland, where
the two species colonized in recent decades (Ring-billed first
breeding in 1945; Black-headed in 1977). Hybrids have been found in
Newfoundland in 1992 and 2012, for example. Black-headed Gull has
nested with Laughing Gulls, e.g. Petit Manan in Maine and Cape Cod in
Massachusetts, but hybrids between those two species are poorly known
and apparently very rare, with only one described (a bird at
Brigantine, NJ in September 1986). And not to be out-done, Ring-billed
has recently nested in Ireland...with a Mew Gull!

The first reported hybrid Black-headed x Ring-billed Gull was a bird
found in 1982. It was mated to a Ring-billed and nested in a
Ring-billed colony in eastern Lake Ontario. That bird differed from
most subsequently described hybrids in having yellow legs and a more
or less complete hood (other summer birds, like the Falmouth bird,
have had winter-like head patterns and orange-red legs). There is a
recent occurrence of an apparent backcross in Massachusetts (see links
below), i.e. a Black-head x Ring-billed backcrossed with a
Ring-billed. That bird was closer to Ring-billed in appearance. A bird
that appeared most similar to the Falmouth bird, but had more white in
the upperwing, was seen at the Avalon seawatch, New Jersey (Nov 2011,
see link below).

Some other putative Black-headed x Ring-billed hybrids include:
Jan 1992, MD https://flic.kr/p/paYARt
Feb 2002, NY http://www.birds.cornell.edu/crows/woodburne_gull.htm
Aug 2008, MD https://flic.kr/p/5ehoy7
Jun 2010, MA https://flic.kr/p/8e69xw
Feb 2011, MD https://flic.kr/p/9iWsBH
Nov 2011, NJ https://flic.kr/p/aJdsCa (similar to Falmouth bird)
Nov 2011, MA https://flic.kr/p/aCtTr5
Jan 2013, PA https://flic.kr/p/dLbznF
Jan 2013, MA https://flic.kr/p/dRj3U9 (probable BHGU x RBGU backcross w/ RBGU)

Louis Bevier
Fairfield

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[Maine-birds] Marsh Sparrows: Nelson's & Saltmarsh and hybrids

Birders visiting Maine, especially Scarborough marsh, to see both species of Marsh Sparrows—Nelson's and Saltmarsh—know they face an identification challenge. Not only are the two similar and not easy to see, but in the most heavily birded marshes there are hybrids. There is an assumption that these hybrids show mixed traits. But are we right about that and can such hybrids be weeded out in the field?

The latest research on this topic was published this week in "The Auk: Ornithological Advances." Here is a pertinent quote: "appearance alone is not enough to identify these hybrid zone birds: there is no single, intermediate "phenotype" or physical appearance common to all of the first-generation hybrids found, and birds from further backcrossed generations were often indistinguishable from the parent species." (http://aoucospubsblog.org/2015/06/17/species-lines-blur-between-two-sparrows-in-new-englands-tidal-marshes/ — access to the paper itself is linked from this page)

The taxa appear to act as good species, and fewer than expected recent generation hybrids (F1, F2) were found in the hybrid zone, roughly from Weskeag south to northeastern Massachusetts. In that hybrid zone, however, 52% of birds sampled were of mixed genetic background. From the birder's perspective, the chief characters we use to identify birds are fairly good IF one lumps Nelson's and Nelson's backcrosses together versus Saltmarsh and Saltmarsh backcrosses. By doing this, however, we underestimate the number of actual hybrids encountered. From a conservation perspective, it would be good to know how extensively these species interbreed, and determining that in the field without DNA appears not possible with presently known characters.

Louis Bevier
Fairfield

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[Maine-birds] LITTLE EGRET - Gilsland Farm, 6/18

The LITTLE EGRET is feeding with a few Snowy Egrets on the mudflats off the North Meadow at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth.

Good birding,

Doug Hitchcox

Sent from my iPhone

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Wednesday, 17 June 2015

[Maine-birds] Rose Breasted Grosbeak in Scarborough

Just at dusk tonight something caught my eye on the feeder, It was a male
Rose Breasted Grosbeak. Isn’t it kind of late for him or do they stay for the summer? Could he be in the woods?
Then I noticed something else fly in. I looked it was a male Northern Cardinal but he’s here all the time with his mate.
Naturally the camera or phone was no where near me. We also have a pair nesting Eastern Phoebes.

Flo in Scarborough

[Maine-birds] Black Rapid Camera Strap

Many of you use this camera strap. Some of you may have noticed some wear on the bottom of the snap-swivel, due to the extra hardness of the receiver that screws into the bottom of your camera or tele lens.

I inquired how to replace this part from the company and they sent me a replacement strap with a new screw eye (hard plastic, I think). This is one stand-up company and I don't mind giving them a plug. They deserve your support.

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[Maine-birds] Eagle Island yesterday

Hey all, Sorry for what is a bit of a long post, hope you find it worth it.

I got back from Eagle Island last night and decided to sum up my findings out there. Our goal was to put together a group of photographs of birds in their nests to create some educational material for the welcome center to explain a little more of the importance of why the island has a large number of trails that are closed and the importance of maintaining that important aspect of the island.

It was a rainy and very foggy day for most of it so visibility was limited and the species were hunkered down a bit. I stuck to the trails, most of which are closed through mid July. We limited proximity to, and duration near, any nests to limit disturbance of any moms and moms-to-be. Access to the south east side of the island was further limited due to the trails and the weather.

First off here are my counts.

Common Eider 227 (19 babies on the water 2 in a nest on land) Many nests still in process.

Double Crested Cormorants 23

Osprey 6 (3 nests all visible)

Black Guillemot 2 (I was hoping for more feathered friends from out in the waves, however the fog was too thick for most of the day)

Herring Gull 46* (2 babies) Many nests still in process

Great Black Backed Gull 25*

Common Tern 14 (this included 8 seen on or near Upper Flag Island on the way back in).

American Crow 2

Common Yellow Throat 4

Yellow Warbler 1

Downy Woodpecker 1

Tree Swallow 5

Barn Swallow 2

American Robin 1

Gray Catbird 3

American Black Duck 2

Song Sparrow 7

Great Blue Heron 8 (many visible as part of the nests described below)

Common Grackle 23

Brown Headed Cowbird 1

House Sparrow 2

American Goldfinch 5

Bank Swallow 3 (this one surprised me as I originally thought they were immature tree swallows but on closer examination they had a very well defined "collar" and were thinner than the trees that were over the opposite side of the point.)

* Underestimated for sure due to the sheer number of them constantly flying around. Hard to tell which ones I had seen so I purposefully kept the count down.

Some pictures have been posted HERE

Other observations:

There are many species that are nesting heavily out there now. Of them, the most prolific appears to be the Common Eiders. Almost everywhere you look in the interior of the island there are signs of nesting that is taking or has taken place. Egg shells litter the ground. We were literally walking on eggshells at times. Sadly, though, the rafts of eiders on the water spent their days defending the chicks in the group against marauding great black backed gulls, and it appears the gulls were winning.

Herring and Great Black Backed gulls follow closely behind. Along the edges of the coast line there are many nests visible. We only saw 2 Herring Gull chicks however we could hear more at a few other locations.

One pleasant surprise was the fact that there are apparently 8 heron nests on the island of which I could see 3 active from the trail and heard one more.All 4 of those were Great Blue nests. The others were reported by someone who had flown over the island doing a survey for the state. Apparently at least one of those may have been a Black Capped Night Heron however I did not see any of them there so I cannot confirm that rumor. I am not sure if the others are active or not but there was definitely quite a presence out there for such a small island.

The circle of life was apparent out there as well. In speaking with the rangers there has been a lot of predation of eiders by the gulls. I will say it was disconcerting to see so many eider egg shells and so few remaining chicks. We did find a few "pellets" that I believe were from a gull which contained the wings, feet, and head of some of the eiders. Some of the gulls have been preying on other gulls as well though, so I guess no one is safe out there

There were at least 4 dead mature herring gulls and one dead eider that were washed up around the shoreline. There was one herring gull nest that had been disturbed by something which had killed a chick and left a broken egg containing a nearly developed chick as well. There was also one herring gull that had a broken wing. And with regards to wings, there were several around the island that we noted (at least 6) which appeared to be from the same type of bird. It seemed odd to me that it only appeared to be from only one type of bird. I am researching them further and can let anyone who is interested know what I find.

Other signs of life(and death) on the island came in the form of a mink that has been seen (although not in the last week or so) that may be the cause of some of the mischief.

Also, 3-4 harbor seals were seen playing off the coast, and I do mean playing. One played with a lobster buoy for about 5 minutes. It kept charging at the pot and then splashing it, or it woudl grab the ropes and pull it around. Just before it was done it pulled the buoy under water completely and then let it shoot back up out of the water like a missile, with the seal soon following. Sadly there was also one dead seal pup on one of the beaches as well.

It was a great day to be out on the water (although today may have been better!) and enjoying the sights the Maine coast has to offer.

Cheers,

Rob O'Connell