Maine birds And MOAC mountainbiking: July 2015

Friday, 31 July 2015

[Maine-birds] Additional Highlights This Week, 7/25-31

Hi all,
Just a few additional notes from the past seven days from me included:

- 1 Louisiana Waterthrush (migrant; my 141st species here!) and 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (no evidence of breeding this year), Old Town House Park, North Yarmouth, 7/26.
- 6 Red-necked Phalaropes (FOY), 3 Red Phalaropes, and 12 unidentified phalaropes, Hardy Boat to Eastern Egg Rock, 7/28 (with Jeannette and family).
- 7 Green-winged Teal, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 7/30. Post-breeding dispersal or local breeders? Flushed before I could get a good look...been trying to confirm this as a breeder here for years.
- 1 fresh juvenile (FOY) Bonaparte's Gull, Wharton Point, Brunswick, 7/30.

-Derek

Sent from my iPhone

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[Maine-birds] July 31 afternoon tide Whimbrel report

Only 34 birds today. They are getting tricky to find. My musing that they might use more productive mudflat areas in the lower part of the bay that are available during the full moon low tides actually happened!!! They flew into the usual feeding area around 4pm, stayed maybe 15 minutes then quickly flew down the bay to feed along a sand bar (above water only during full and no-moon low tides) in the Mill Creek "delta" off Oak Point.

Anne Archie

Harrington, ME

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[Maine-birds] Yellow-crowned Night-heron

I stopped by Great Pond in Biddeford Pool this morning & scanned the
back side with my binos. There was a heron in one of the trees that
looked a little different but I couldn't well through the foliage with
binos what it was so I set up my scope. As I was doing this the heron
flew down to an open limb right above the water. Taking another look I
realized it was a juv Yellow-crowned Night-heron. It had a stout black
bill, small white spots & longer legs & neck then the Black-crowned
Night -herons also there. I got my camera from the car but it had
dropped to the side of the pond in the shadows making for some darkish
photos. i haven't looked at them on the computer yet. They might be
better than I think.
There were also 4 Black-crowned Night-herons, 2 adults, a first summer &
a juv. along with 5 Snowy Egrets & 2 Great Egrets.

Turk
Cape Porpoise

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[Maine-birds] tropicbird no on Thursday

We spent a little over an hour off Seal Island yesterday with John Drury and did not see the tropicbird. We might have stayed longer, as apparently late afternoon is the best time to see it, but John heard thunder and decided we should go back.

Of course this does not mean that the bird is no longer present, just that we weren't lucky.

I look forward to hearing about the next sighting.

(I am aware of the upcoming trips out of Stonington.)

Leslie Starr
Baltimore

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[Maine-birds] July 31 morning low tide Whimbrel report - none seen due to thick fog all morning

I'll send out info on the number of birds during the evening low tide.

Thursday, 30 July 2015

[Maine-birds] Decreased number of Whimbrels at Flat Bay

The afternoon low tide brought only 50 Whimbrel to feed at Flat Bay. The birds arrived about 2 hours before low tide as registered at Milbridge. A heavy fog came in around 5:30pm and I was unable to determine when the Whimbrels left.

Anne Archie

[Maine-birds] July 30 Morning Low Tide Whimbrel Report from Flat Bay

None. I heard two individuals fly over from south to north. I wonder where they feed during the morning low tide?????

I assume that the birds will show up for the afternoon low tide.

Anne Archie

Harrington, ME

Wednesday, 29 July 2015

Re: [Maine-birds] Little Egret stiil present?

I had the bird around noon (2 hours before high tide) in the North
Meadow, straight out from the point on last Wednesday, 7/22/15. Good
looks but not long. Several Snowies around then and later. Did not
show later. Hope this helps.

George

On 7/29/2015 12:55 PM, thomaspardal@gmail.com wrote:
> The stream of observations on the Little Egret at Gilsland seems to have stopped. Has anyone seen the bird recently? I am hoping to make a trip up there in the near future, and any info would be appreciated!
>
> Thomas P.
>

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[Maine-birds] July 29 Whimbrel Report from Flat Bay

Today I counted 133 Whimbrel using Flat Bay's west tidal shoreline. This time they appeared at 115 - nearly 3 hours before low tide. Some birds flew north and some flew south after feeding (some are still feeding now but on a mudflat south of the Mill Creek "delta" with Flat Bay). So, I've given up trying to predict what and where they are going to be!!

I Imagine day length has something to do with the time they choose to feed. Starting tomorrow there will be two low tides in daylight, so we'll check and see if the Whimbrel appear at both low tides.

Semi-palmated plovers showed up today. A flock of about 50 was with the Whimbrel earlier in the afternoon.

Merle and Anne Archie

Harrington, ME

[Maine-birds] Tonight in Wells: Using Birds to Predict the Future of Tidal Marshes

This evening, Dr. Brian Olsen is the featured speaker in the Wells Reserve at Laudholm's Ted Exford Climate Stewards Lecture Series. His topic: Using Birds to Predict the Future of Tidal Marshes. The talk starts at 6pm in Mather Auditorium. A $5 donation is suggested. Proceeds benefit science, education, and conservation at the Wells Reserve.

Scott Richardson

On the calendar:
http://www.wellsreserve.org/visit/calendar/1159-climate_stewards_using_birds_to_predict_the_future_of_tidal_marshes

Directions:
http://www.wellsreserve.org/about/directions

Re: [Maine-birds] Red-billed Tropicbird trip TOMORROW - seats still available

One additional point of information about the flight option: I hired Capt. John Drury to take me out to Seal Island about five weeks ago. Mission was successful, we had great views of the Tropicbird. Of a minor (but strange) note, the bird had all of both tail streamers when we arrived - but lost half of one while we were there. Strangely, i have a photo of it falling off as he took off out of the water.

Anyway I just wanted to raise the point that it was also too late for me to catch the last ferry off the island in the evening, and the hotels were all booked (it was a saturday night, and they are also expensive). So I chartered a flight back to Rockland with Penobscot Island Air. http://www.penobscotislandair.net I think they quoted me $120 (?), but they ended up only charging me the standard $60 since they were bringing someone else over as well. It sounds luxurious, but its actually the best option off the island and cheaper than a night in the inn, and John took me to the airstrip after our trip.

My best photo of the bird: https://www.flickr.com/photos/amaizlish/19186432689/

Good luck,

Aaron Maizlish

San Francisco, CA

On Jul 29, 2015, at 10:19 AM, rob speirs <rspeirs1@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello All,

Leslie Starr and Joe Turner have booked a trip with Captain John Drury (maineseabirdtours.com), out of Vinalhaven, for tomorrow (Thursday July 30th) and there are still seats available. This is the 11th year the bird has returned and it is anyone's guess how many more times it will return to Maine.. Although no guarantee, the bird has been particularly consistent, of late, offering unusually close looks.

Below is Leslie and Joe's recent post, with particulars. At this point, it's probably best to call or text their numbers listed below, if interested. I was out there last Saturday...AMAZING trip! A terrific opportunity for birders.

Rob Speirs Cumberland

Inspired by all the great sightings last weekend, we decided to try for this bird as soon as possible. We have engaged Captain John Drury to take us out to the Seal Island area to look for it this Thursday afternoon, July 30. We will be leaving from Vinalhaven at 2:00 pm.

There is room for additional passengers, if anyone is interested and able to come on this short notice. The boat can hold six people.

Because our return will be after the last ferry of the afternoon, we will be staying on the island overnight, and anyone who joins us would need to find accommodations and do the same, though apparently there is an option to fly back to the mainland.

The cost of the boat trip, to be shared by all passengers, is $90 per hour. Capt. Drury says the trip will take four to five hours.

Capt. Drury is a highly experienced seabird guide. Here is his website: http://www.maineseabirdtours.com

Please e-mail us directly, call, or text if you are interested in joining us.

thanks, Leslie Starr & Joe Turner
turnstar@aol.com
C 443-604-0024
C 410-440-6700

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[Maine-birds] Little Egret stiil present?

The stream of observations on the Little Egret at Gilsland seems to have stopped. Has anyone seen the bird recently? I am hoping to make a trip up there in the near future, and any info would be appreciated!

Thomas P.

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[Maine-birds] Popham Beach shorebirds

Birded Popham the last few hours of the flood this morning. The heat, beach-walkers, and green-heads were all reaching a crescendo simultaneously, so it should be an interesting day. Many more shorebirds present than recently, but I didn't make many counts ("official" count imminent), instead going for qualitative obs. Long pants recommended.

Highlights:

7 Red Knots; 6 in suit-of-armor winter garb
3 Baird's Sandpiper, (3) - FOS here
1 WR Sand - kept seeing repeatedly, but I think only one bird - FOS here

Despite not counting, there was an up- tic in numbers generally, for all species. Especially Least Sands.
But fewer dowitchers (12). 1 of 2 recently fledged Spotted Sands was photo'd perched on the same log it was on with its sibling few days ago.

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[Maine-birds] Red-billed Tropicbird trip TOMORROW - seats still available

Hello All,

Leslie Starr and Joe Turner have booked a trip with Captain John Drury (maineseabirdtours.com), out of Vinalhaven, for tomorrow (Thursday July 30th) and there are still seats available. This is the 11th year the bird has returned and it is anyone's guess how many more times it will return to Maine.. Although no guarantee, the bird has been particularly consistent, of late, offering unusually close looks.

Below is Leslie and Joe's recent post, with particulars. At this point, it's probably best to call or text their numbers listed below, if interested. I was out there last Saturday...AMAZING trip! A terrific opportunity for birders.

Rob Speirs Cumberland

Inspired by all the great sightings last weekend, we decided to try for this bird as soon as possible. We have engaged Captain John Drury to take us out to the Seal Island area to look for it this Thursday afternoon, July 30. We will be leaving from Vinalhaven at 2:00 pm.

There is room for additional passengers, if anyone is interested and able to come on this short notice. The boat can hold six people.

Because our return will be after the last ferry of the afternoon, we will be staying on the island overnight, and anyone who joins us would need to find accommodations and do the same, though apparently there is an option to fly back to the mainland.

The cost of the boat trip, to be shared by all passengers, is $90 per hour. Capt. Drury says the trip will take four to five hours.

Capt. Drury is a highly experienced seabird guide. Here is his website: http://www.maineseabirdtours.com

Please e-mail us directly, call, or text if you are interested in joining us.

thanks, Leslie Starr & Joe Turner

turnstar@aol.com

C 443-604-0024

C 410-440-6700

[Maine-birds] Seal Island

After last Sunday’s puffin trip to Seal Island, I put together a promotional video for Isle au Haut Ferry. It has some better video of the Red-billed Tropicbird, starting at about 2:38. If anyone has wondered what this particular puffin trip looks like, here you go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu_o0CxHwdw. There are a couple more puffin trips over the next two Sundays, but some future trips to plan for:

I expect the Island Heritage Trust and the Ferry to do another Harlequin Duck trip to Isle au Haut next March. The last three have had good luck with weather and birds. There will likely be a Seal Island trip in early winter. (It was cancelled by bad weather last year.) Seal Island is the second largest Gray Seal pupping colony in the east. (There are over 4000 seals off Martha’s Vineyard, which is the largest.)

Which is all to say that Maine birders are getting more and more opportunities to get offshore these days. Huzzah.

Bob Duchesne

Tuesday, 28 July 2015

[Maine-birds] Flat Bay Whimbrel Report

Today several folks saw 134 Whimbrel that were feeding on the west side of Flat Bay. Lindsay Tudor was one of the people and did the count of 134 birds. Bill and Monica Grabin and Woody and Jen Gillies were there for the count as well! We saw the birds from a different location on the east side of Flat Bay.

Not many Black-bellied Plover nor Short-billed Dowitchers today but there were probably 100+ peeps feeding in and among the other shorebirds.

Today the Whimbrel all flew north when they left the mudflats as did a large flock of peeps.

Merle and Anne Archie

Harrington, ME

[Maine-birds] tropicbird quest

There is room for additional passengers, if anyone is interested and able to come on this short notice. The boat can hold six people.

The cost of the boat trip, to be shared by all passengers, is $90 per hour. Capt. Drury says the trip will take four to five hours.

Capt. Drury is a highly experienced seabird guide. Here is his website: http://www.maineseabirdtours.com

Please e-mail us directly, call, or text if you are interested in joining us.

thanks, Leslie Starr & Joe Turner

turnstar@aol.com

C 443-604-0024

C 410-440-6700

[Maine-birds] Red- Billed Tropicbird

Old Quarry Ocean Adventures in Stonington has two more trips out to see the Red-billed Tropicbird on Seal Island scheduled for August 4th and August 11 from 2-7 PM. We have seen it both times we have done this trip this season. We have also seen a leucistic Great Black-backed Gull, Parasitic Jaeger, and today 100s of Wilson's Storm-petrels, dozens of Northern Gannet (25), Common Loon, Bald Eagle, Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, Common Murre (sometimes bridled), Laughing Gull, nesting Great Cormorants, Double-crested Cormorant, Semipalmated Plover and Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Arctic and Common Tern, Red-necked Phalaropes (50ish), Grey Seals, Harbor Seals and Harbor Porpoise. Another birdy trip out to the island. The boat leaves at 2:00 from Settlement Rd in Stonington. Hopefully the next trip will have some more shearwaters!

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[Maine-birds] Re: 153 Whimbrel on Flat Bay, Harrington!!!

Awesome! Sounds like a "road-trip-worthy" event. Especially since it's my favorite shorebird.
Maybe there are other records, but the highest previous number I can find for ME is 110 (P. Vickery, Deblois Barrens, 8-2-87).
Thanks for reporting this noteworthy concentration.

On Monday, July 27, 2015 at 3:43:12 PM UTC-4, Merle and Anne Archie wrote:

The flock is getting bigger and many birds flew to the south before I could get down to the shoreline and count.

A smattering of Black-bellied Plover and Short-billed Dowitchers but no large flocks of peeps today.

The Whimbrel seem to show up about 1/2 to 3/4 hour after low tide as registered at Milbridge.

Merle and Anne Archie
Harrington, ME

Monday, 27 July 2015

[Maine-birds] 153 Whimbrel on Flat Bay, Harrington!!!

The flock is getting bigger and many birds flew to the south before I could get down to the shoreline and count.

A smattering of Black-bellied Plover and Short-billed Dowitchers but no large flocks of peeps today.

The Whimbrel seem to show up about 1/2 to 3/4 hour after low tide as registered at Milbridge.

Merle and Anne Archie

Harrington, ME

[Maine-birds] LB Dowitcher - Popham Beach

Shorebirds are definitely pouring into the Popham Beach environs. Included there this morning was a summer-plumaged Long-Billed Dowitcher, foraging with 28 Short-Bills. I counted 53 SBDows at Green Point a few hours later (incl the LBDow) so I probably overlooked some at Popham Beach.

Efforts to get a decent photo were thwarted by fog, distance, dim light, and a persistent beachcomber who insisted on walking directly toward the conc of birds. But a few fuzzy shots show a distinctly bigger bird with solid black cap, and entirely red underparts. Can't determine loral angle, however, and it never did vocalize. None did.

Counted 102 Semi Sands in the Borrow Pit area, then panned a huge mass of sleeping birds (at high tide) on the open beach. Haven't counted them yet. Total will be closer to 500-600.
No sign of the early Am Golden Plover. Only 1 Whimbrel - foraging on dry sand areas.

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[Maine-birds] Building shorebirds, etc, Scarborough Marsh, 7/27

Hi all,

With the rapidly approaching peak numbers of adults of several shorebird species, along with growing diversity, I spent the morning in Scarborough Marsh at the high tide today, mostly along the Eastern Road Trail. The omnipresent sparrow researchers kept the majority of the shorebirds close to the trail today, affording good studies of the multitudes...until a marauding Cooper's Hawk began to scatter them about:

- 400+ Semipalmated Sandpipers
- 205 Short-billed Dowitchers (including 1-2 ssp. HENDERSONII pending a review of the photos of the second bird).
- 100+ Least Sandpipers
- 22 Lesser Yellowlegs
- 21 Greater Yellowlegs
- 10 Semipalmated Plovers
- 3 Spotted Sandpipers
- 3 White-rumped Sandpipers
- 2 Killdeer
- 1 Solitary Sandpiper (first of fall)

A fly-over CASPIAN TERN in the fog early in the morning and the continuing TRICOLORED HERON x SNOWY EGRET HYBRID were two of the other highlights.

-Derek

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

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[Maine-birds] Birding By Schooner Tour report, 7/20-25 (RBTR, AMOY, GRCO, REPH, WISP, alcids, WODU, etc)

Hi all,

I have posted the trip report - with photos and a complete annotated checklist - of our annual birding tour aboard the Schooner Lewis R. French out of Camden:

https://mebirdingfieldnotes.wordpress.com/2015/07/26/birding-by-schooner-trip-report-2015/

In brief, highlights included:

- THE RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD, Seal Island, 7/22 + 23.

- One pair AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS, Little Green Island, 7/22 - a new "Schooner Bird" for me!

- GREAT CORMORANTS at their Seal Island colony, 7/22-23, and one at Saddleback Ledge, 7/23.

- Red Phalaropes: 6 between Little Green and Seal Islands, 7/22.

- Wilson's Storm-Petrels: unusually common within Penobscot Bay, some just outside of Camden Harbor. 400+ between Little Green and Seal on 7/22.

- Atlantic Puffins at Eastern Egg Rock on 7/21 and Seal Island 7/22-23.

- Razorbills: a few dozen total in and around Seal Island, but several fathers with chicks well within Penobscot Bay.

- 1 WOOD DUCK: fly-by at Seal Island, 7/23.

- 79 total species.

-Derek

Sunday, 26 July 2015

[Maine-birds] Rt loon phippsburg 07/17

Photos of Red throated loon reported in PHIPPSBURG on the 17th by Linwood Riggs
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MAINEBirds/permalink/834670499948387/

[Maine-birds] Red-billed Tropicbird

The showers were insignificant, the ocean was calm, the birds were plentiful. I hope next Sunday’s Isle au Haut puffin trip is as good as today’s was. The Red-billed Tropicbird was simply loafing in the cove as we arrived at Seal Island around 12:30, so close that you could takes photos with a cell phone. I put a quick video up on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MaineBirdingTrail.

The ferry does another puffin trip next Sunday (www.isleauhaut.com) , and I’ll be looking to see if he is hanging out next to the same lobster buoy. The buoy was black with red handles…not all that unlike a tropicbird. Romance? He never left its side the whole time we were in the cove.

There were more gannets than last week’s trip, and the Wilson’s Storm-petrel numbers have skyrocketed. We had them the whole way from inside Stonington Harbor to the Seal Island cove. About 20 Red-necked Phalaropes, too. Just two Common Murres, though – same as last week.

Bob Duchesne

[Maine-birds] Ninety-two Whimbrel at Flat Bay, Harrington!

At low tide today we counted 92 Whimbrel along the waterline on the west side of Flat Bay. Approximately 400 Semi-palmated Sandpipers, 40+ Short-billed Dowitchers and 20+ Black-bellied Plovers were also feeding at low tide in the same area.

Last year the Whimbrel stayed around for nearly a week so we hope to see them again.

While we were sipping tea on the deck with Cherryfield birders Joel Wilcox and Sandy Fairbanks, a Merlin flew in and perched on the top of a tree not far from the house. We had great views for 5 minutes or so.

We heard and saw our FOY Bonaparte's Gull for Flat Bay as well.

Merle and Anne Archie

Harrington, ME

[Maine-birds] Black-crowned night-heron

Just saw an adult and juvenile at a small water area in Portland.

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[Maine-birds] Black-crowned night-heron

[Maine-birds] South unity

Indigo bunting male here for 3 days

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[Maine-birds] Bowdoinham

Male indigo bunting at the feeder last night, the first since June when I had four
for about three weeks, but only an occasional female.
Do they nest in the area?

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Saturday, 25 July 2015

[Maine-birds] Migration is underway on SINWR

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to add in my 2 cents on the fall migration that is underway. The past couple weeks have been highlighted by shorebird migrants. The best species being 3 Hudsonian Godwit, several Whimbrel, and an early Pectoral Sandpiper. Others have included Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, Semipalmated Plovers, a nocturnally migrating Killdeer who was calling pre-dawn, many Lesser Yellowlegs, a few Greater Yellowlegs, and we are now starting to get sanderlings. We have noticed an increase in passerine migrants as well such as Yellow Warblers, Cedar Waxwings, Brown-headed Cowbirds, and this morning Tree Swallows over the pond next to our cabin. In addition, the pelagic scene is picking up. Lots of Gannets starting to pass by, increased Wilson's Storm-Petrel numbers and a Northern Fulmar. Im sure it will only get better. The Tropicbird continues, however, it has been vocally quiet as of late and is getting harder to keep track of. Some folks on the Nigh Duck boat trip last week got some fantastic views. Arctic and Common Tern fledglings are everywhere and many failed or non-breeders have now left the island. Puffins however are still in full force and some are still hatching (late season out here this year..)

Best Regards,

Keenan Yakola

SINWR Island Supervisor

Friday, 24 July 2015

[Maine-birds] shorebirds - Popham - Jul 24

Few shorebirds at Popham this morning, but an early Am Golden Plover was noteworthy.
Also the first fledgling Com Tern being fed by an adult .

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[Maine-birds] Yellow-crowned Night Heron

There was a juvenile yellow-crowned night heron loafing with five black-crowned night herons at Great Pond in Biddeford Pool this evening.

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[Maine-birds] Higgins beach shore bird questions

I was at Higgins (Scarborough) yesterday trying to brush up on shore birds. Are the two main groups of nesting terns Common and Least? Also, there was a flock (6 or so?) of killdeer at the edge of the shore... I always think of these as inland birds? The plumage is pretty distinctive, so I feel pretty confident about the id. Also present: Bonaparte's gull flock, a few piping plovers, a (lesser, I think) yellowlegs, plus the usual other assortment of common gull species. And a laughing gull, I think.

Still need lots of practice.

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[Maine-birds] Reminder Sharp-tailed Sparrow Workshop and Field Trip

Sharp-tailed Sparrow Workshop and Field Trip- tomorrow!!
- Saturday Jul 25, 2015 8:00 am – 10:00 am
- Scarborough Marsh
- Members: $10 - Non-members: $13
Join Maine Audubon naturalist Doug Hitchcox to unravel the complexities of sharp-tailed sparrow identification.
We will spend a little time inside looking at photos (birds in the field and while banding, including hybrids!) then go out for a field trip along the Eastern Trail and see them ourselves. This is a can't miss opportunity for anyone interested in sharp-tailed sparrows, and will give all a special chance to learn more about and view these rare birds.

No reservations required.

Linda Woodard II Maine Audubon

Director of Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center

_______________________________

20 Gilsland Farm Road, Falmouth, ME 04105

tel (207) 781-2330 x 213

mobile 207-415-8331

web maineaudubon.org

[Maine-birds] MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND REPORT

Saw my first "fall" warbler yesterday, a young YELLOW WARBLER.
A few Peeps are hanging about the shore, gleaning the little animals from the rock weed and the decaying wrack at high-water mark. Only LEAST & SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS identified so far although I glimpsed a probable RUDDY TURNSTONE once and a lone WILLET passed over on Wednesday.

SAVANNAH SPARROWS are busy carrying food to their presumed 2nd broods while adults and 1st brooders agitate and shout at any intrusion into or near their territories.

SPOTTED SANDPIPERS seem to have had a low average season, judging from the numbers I've been seeing. Most chicks are barely distinguishable from the adults. Few of them still show any tail fluff.

It looks like most all the COMMON EIDERS are now on the water, although I'm still seeing an occasional over-island morning flight the gives the suspicion that there might still be stragglers that haven't hatched.
It appears that the Eiders have also had a respectable year with numbers in the mid-range.

The Alcids are chugging along and, although there are still tons to be seen on the island, the RAZORBILLS are departing.
Reports of adult/offspring pairs have come from various locations for a week or more.

Also still present in good tonnage, the PUFFINS are due to fledge any time. The earliest may have already slipped away in recent nights but I haven't yet seen any PUFFLINGS on the lawn.

The COMMON MURRE tonnage is still impressive, having started breeding only a few years ago, and the species looks to be having a productive summer.

Oh, just to answer the inevitable question: it takes approximately 2700 Puffins, 1390 Razorbills or 1030 Murres to make either an English Long Ton or a Metric Ton.

Raptor activity continues to be low, helped by the foggy days. Unfortunately, the fog seems not to hamper the 2 RAVENS which we see too often.

The Terns are benefiting from mainly favorable weather and, BUTTERFISH being the exception, from decent food for the chicks.
The ARCTIC TERNS have fledged a probable 50 or more and I'm optimistic that 100+ fledgling this year is possible.
That's a far cry from the hay-days but a big jump from zero just a couple years ago and from the dozen or two last season.

COMMON TERNS aren't as advanced in recovery but there have been a handful of known nests this year.
Those have a chance at producing at least some fledglings.

It's likely not news to many other people in other places but we have MOSQUITOS
Until recently, mosquitos were effectively unknown on MSI. I heard of one or two dubious sightings over some 17 or 18 years but never saw one myself.
About 3 years ago a very few were around. 2 years ago a few more.
Last year they really jumped to the, "Give me the DEET!", level at times.
This year, researchers are often foregoing headlamps at night and I wouldn't consider working around heavy vegetation without repellant.
Interesting to note that the advent and increase of the plague corresponds exactly to the total demise of our small resident LITTLE BROWN BAT population.

[Maine-birds] Wilson's Storm Petrels

The largest concentration of Wilson Storm Petrels to date was 40+ birds seen off Mark Island Stonington- Up to this time like Mike report on them have been a few and patchy- past two days seeing more on Penobscot Bay- trip on Vinalhaven or North Haven ferry is a is fun way to see them-
Skip Small
Rockport
Sent from my iPhone

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[Maine-birds] LITTLE EGRET - Falmouth, 7/24

Hey everyone:

Just got into the office and received second- (and third-) hand reports that the LITTLE EGRET was seen "yesterday (7/23) at 2:00pm near the south edge of the north meadow" and "sometime today (7/24)". I did just take a walk around the north meadow and couldn't find it but the tide is pretty high.

Speaking of the tide, I wanted to share this blog post I wrote about places and times to see the bird: http://maineaudubon.org/blog/2015/07/how-to-see-a-little-egret/

Good birding,

Doug Hitchcox

Thursday, 23 July 2015

[Maine-birds] Wilson's Storm Petrels - Rockland, Jul 23

Crossing on the last ferry from North Haven this afternoon, we ran into several small clumps of Wils St Petrels. They were a patch-bird for me, and are probably
not commonly seen in this thoroughfare. Judging from eBird maps, the species seems particularly widespread this season.

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[Maine-birds] Dragon Cement juvie Peregrines - Jul 22

Before jumping on the North Haven ferry, we had some time to stand a watch for the 3 recently fledged Peregrines in No Thomaston, Wed morning. Nothing seen from the plant entrance, but then we hit Weskeag Marsh for 15 minutes and spotted 1 of the young birds cruise through and over the marsh, before perching in a high pine tree betw the marsh and the meadow where Rough-legs are often seen.

I must say, this bugger doesn't really display the flight skills of older birds. In fact, we were unsure of its heritage until we finally saw its orange-ish face.

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[Maine-birds] Shorebirds trickling in - Addison and Harrington

In the past week we've seen occasional Greater as well as Lesser Yellowlegs on Flat Bay. Only one Whimbrel so far (last year we saw a flock of 20+) and 2 Short-billed Dowitchers. A single Black-bellied Plover put in an appearance today. And flocks of unidentified peeps are winging up the bay to the mudflats near Curtis Creek during low tide.

On the shores of the Pleasant River as viewed from the Addison boat ramp we saw up to 18 Lesser Yellowlegs. Today we saw 2 Greater Yellowlegs, a Short-billed Dowitcher and one Least Sandpiper mingling with 3 Semi-palmated Sandpipers.

Both at the Addison salt pans and the boat landing we've heard a lot of Sharp-tailed Sparrows and 2 Merlins flew over us just north of "downtown" Addison.

Merle and Anne Archie

Harrington, ME

[Maine-birds] Common yellowthroat juvenile?

I think this is a juvenile common yellowthroat. If someone knows different, I'd appreciate a helping hand. Thanks.

Essex Street Marsh, Bangor.

http://photosbychance.zenfolio.com/p432832521/h5027175f#h5027175f

Cheers,

Dave😂

Tuesday, 21 July 2015

[Maine-birds] Re: Glossy Ibis-Wallace Shore Road, Harpswell

I just saw 2 Glossy Ibis in the marsh across from the boat launch. They are with a flock of about 10 snowy egrets. When the tide comes in this marsh fills up and the birds typically move on. Good luck.

Rodney Kelshaw

Monday, 20 July 2015

[Maine-birds] Popham Beach - dusk

Highlights from tonight's dusk-watch:

Merlin - FOS. Scattered peeps then directed itself well offshore; may be overnighting on Seguin?
4 Whimbrels - leisurely patrolling the beach and lagoon
3 Willets - surf zone (odd)
75 peeps unident

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[Maine-birds] tanager

Spotted a male Scarlet Tanager & fledge today while walking in the woods in Montville, first ones I've seen this year.

Sarah

[Maine-birds] Little Egret

My wife and I observed it today from 2:40-3:00 PM, preening not far from the North Meadow blind at Gilsland. Tide seemed to be nearly high. Sorry about the latish post.

Joel Wilcox

Cherryfield, but visiting in the area

[Maine-birds] Popham Beach - Spotted sands

Several of us have been consistently noticing 1 or 2 Spotted Sandpipers at Popham this year. I've wondered about nesting there. Not noticed in the past 10 years, and maybe not that unusual. This morning, an adult (might have been the male) was leading me away from 2 fledglings, out on their own, foraging on open sand or over driftwood. Nesting site may have been dune grass, among the Least Terns, or possibly in a small patch of Spartina next to the lagoon.

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[Maine-birds] Birds in A hail storm

Yesterday afternoon I was at Tuckahoe Turf Farm, Berwick, ME. I got caught in a hail storm. I noticed the KILLDEER were flying from the open filed into the high grass, than as the hail came down stronger they flew under the machinery and into the woods.

I was just wondering if there are any numbers on how many birds are killed by hail? The hail was up to 3/4 of an inch, with the average of 1/2 inch size.

One video and pictures of hail are here https://www.flickr.com/photos/22247688@N04/19240555264/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/22247688@N04/19240385124/in/dateposted-public/

video: https://www.flickr.com/photos/22247688@N04/19867850651/in/dateposted-public/

Happy birding

Andy Aldrich

North Berwick

RE: [Maine-birds] SoPo Merlin(s)

The Bowdoin pair was active again this year and seemed to be feeding newly fledged young during the last week of June/first days of July.

I haven't noticed any activity in Gardiner this year but they have nested for a number of years.

Jeff Wells

From: maine-birds@googlegroups.com [mailto:maine-birds@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Louis Bevier
Sent: Monday, July 20, 2015 9:50 AM
To: Scott Cronenweth
Cc: Maine Birds List Serve
Subject: Re: [Maine-birds] SoPo Merlin(s)

Thanks, Scott! Were the vocalizations a long series of chatters like ki-ki-ki... or kik-kik-kik…? Those are the most common sounds, males a bit higher pitched than females. They are unlikely to begin re-nesting at this time of year. By now they should be fledging young. You might have heard a pair interacting, a juvenile and an adult responding to each other, or a nest-mate fledgling calling back. They get to nesting fairly early after return and set-up shop by early April (Bowdoin) to early May (Waterville). They are on eggs by mid-April to mid-May, and incubation lasts about a month. It then takes another month for the young to fledge; so mid-July is the time young Merlins start stepping out. This timing coincides with peaking abundance of odonates, many dragonflies, that these birds eat like chicken nuggets. Urban pairs eat House Sparrows too, and those are common prey in food-exchanges and for feeding the nestlings (https://flic.kr/p/ePeVGQ). They usually move to a new nest site every year or at least every other year (at least that's been true here), and those nests are usually abandoned crow nests. They don't build their own nest. Exciting birds for sure! Just tell 'em to leave my Buff-breasted Sandpipers alone this year!

Louis

Re: [Maine-birds] SoPo Merlin(s)

Louis

[Maine-birds] Little Egret Tidewater Farm

Betsy and I were almost ready to leave when I spotted him! 8:40 am. Good views but only for a couple minutes. It flew up the channel on the right and out of sight. A big THANK-YOU to all the Maine birders who provided helpful information and posted updated sightings. Lifer!

Good birding!
Willie D'Anna and Betsy Potter
Wilson, NY

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[Maine-birds] SoPo Merlin(s)

Greetings, birding friends! There's been at least one Merlin hanging out in my semi-urban South Portland neighborhood in recent days. It/they vocalize in the morning and evening, and also occasionally during the day. I've only seen one bird on one occasion, flying directly overhead in tough light — too quick a glimpse to reliably age or sex it. But yesterday evening I heard what I felt sure must be a pair counter-calling: two long vocalizations in quick succession from two spots a good distance apart. Possibly they're looking to establish a nest or have already done so. Or maybe it's just an unpaired individual. Either way it's very cool.

Any thoughts from the experts?

Go urban falcons!
------------------------------------
Scott Cronenweth
South Portland, ME
scronenw@maine.rr.com

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Sunday, 19 July 2015

[Maine-birds] Re: American bittern on Portland waterfront

Upon getting home and looking more at the pictures (which were horribly back lit on the camera) and the guides I have here which were not with me at the time of the sighting, the bird I saw was an immature Black-Crowned Night Heron. I had a guide on my phone that did not show immature plumage or flight plumage for any of the small herons/bitterns so with the major ID fact at the time of it being a smallish heron with overall brown body and heavily brown striped chest, the AM Bittern was the only thing I could find that looked like a match. When I was able to see the pictures after getting home and see some of the features on a larger than 2" screen, the large reddish eye, large overall yellow beak with black on top and tip, and then in one picture, the tops of the wings in flight, I was able to find the immature BCNH matchup. It makes a lot more sense to me as I was very much not expecting a bittern in Portland.

Here is a picture that has been adjusted to bring out a lot of the details I could not see during the initial flyby.

Still not unhappy with the spotting though, but sorry to cause any undue fuss.

Cheers.

On Sunday, July 19, 2015 at 3:55:04 PM UTC-4, Rob O'Connell wrote:

Was watching the terns off the Maine state pier and had an American bittern fly down the waterfront towards the Cisco bay bridge. It then turned around and flew back past, circled a few times around the gap where the Picton Castle is docked and then flew off in the direction of the eastern prom. If you are out with the tall ships, keep looking up! Will post pictures later.

Cheers!
Rob O'Connell

[Maine-birds] American bittern on Portland waterfront

Was watching the terns off the Maine state pier and had an American bittern fly down the waterfront towards the Cisco bay bridge. It then turned around and flew back past, circled a few times around the gap where the Picton Castle is docked and then flew off in the direction of the eastern prom. If you are out with the tall ships, keep looking up! Will post pictures later.

Cheers!
Rob O'Connell

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Re: [Maine-birds] LITTLE EGRET in marsh now

Steve

Glad you were able to add it to your LL

Ron

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 19, 2015, at 2:19 PM, 'scbirder' via Maine birds <maine-birds@googlegroups.com> wrote:

I am having great views of the Little Egret. Viewable from the North Meadow blind, it and a Snowy are preening on the log to the left of the green shack. It's 2:18, now, and I'm about to leave the location. Best wishes to all other searchers.

Steve Patterson
camden, SC

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone

-------- Original message --------
From: 'Noah Gibb' via Maine birds <maine-birds@googlegroups.com>
Date: 07/19/2015 11:12 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: "maine-birds@googlegroups com" <maine-birds@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [Maine-birds] LITTLE EGRET in marsh now

Probably viewable from Providence Avenue.

Noah Gibb

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

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RE: [Maine-birds] LITTLE EGRET in marsh now

I am having great views of the Little Egret. Viewable from the North Meadow blind, it and a Snowy are preening on the log to the left of the green shack. It's 2:18, now, and I'm about to leave the location. Best wishes to all other searchers.

Steve Patterson

camden, SC

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone

-------- Original message --------
From: 'Noah Gibb' via Maine birds <maine-birds@googlegroups.com>
Date: 07/19/2015 11:12 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: "maine-birds@googlegroups com" <maine-birds@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [Maine-birds] LITTLE EGRET in marsh now

Probably viewable from Providence Avenue.

Noah Gibb

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

[Maine-birds] Re: Little Egret North Meadow blind

Thanks, Noah! We saw this update right when we got back to Freeport. We hopped in the car and it was still there when we got back at 1p. Was still there when we left at 145p.

On Sunday, July 19, 2015 at 11:06:15 AM UTC-4, Noah Gibb wrote:

The LITTLE EGRET is currently visible from the north meadow at Gilsland Farm Falmouth.

Noah Gibb

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

[Maine-birds] LITTLE EGRET in marsh now

Probably viewable from Providence Avenue.

Noah Gibb

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

[Maine-birds] Little Egret North Meadow blind

The LITTLE EGRET is currently visible from the north meadow at Gilsland Farm Falmouth.

Noah Gibb

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android