There are currently many fledgling Chipping Sparrows around the upper elevations and second (driving toward Cape Elizabeth) gate of Portland Head Light/Fort Williams Park, and their numbers are rivaled only by the breeding EASTERN BLUEBIRDS there this year. Once during dusk about a month ago there were at least 20 adults and juveniles in one cluster in an oak tree, with 2 Crows doing weird head-bobbing movements on either side of them (I thought maybe to say, "hey, let's eat these Bluebirds". I've been reluctant to post about the prolific Bluebird situation at Fort Williams, because they nest so close to the ground, are somewhat timid (though the adults there are extremely easy to spot, vocal and seem to like low perches). But the nest boxes on the high plateau of the park (where the large open-sided picnic shelter is) and near the top of the big concrete stairs by the field (I'm guessing an old parade ground) did extremely well this year, and all spring/summer I believe only one or two boxes were taken by Tree Swallows... not to say the boxes were entirely occupied, but to a very good degree. I would have taken some photos for eBird earlier but I figured the local birders MUST know about them. Apparently not, as there is no indication in any recent posts other than sightings of 1-2, and the bar charts are quite sporadic. They're definitely a successful breeding species at Ft. Williams park and are very visible in the adjoining oak trees.... just yesterday I saw a couple of adults randomly whizz by. And I've seen small numbers in same oaks on the plateau in the blustery dead of winter 2016-17, so I'd guess some are residents.
Sean Smith
On Sat, Jul 28, 2018 at 12:19 AM, 'Doug Hitchcox' via Maine birds <maine-birds@googlegroups.com> wrote:
Hi everyone:
Sorry for not getting a new set of challenges out last weekend but great to see all the checklists that have been pouring in. Before our new challenges, I wanted to share one note of caution as we get later into the nesting season: Be careful not to code juvenile birds wandering outside of the bock where they originated. I explain this concern in an article: "When Fledglings Become Juveniles" available here: https://ebird.org/atlasme/news/fledglings
Before the new challenges, let's see how you did last week…
Birding For Bruce - Thank you to everyone who shared your lists and participated in this event to allow Bruce Barker to vicariously atlas with us before he passed away on the morning of July 20th. During those few days of "Birding for Bruce", 241 checklists were shared (including some non-atlas lists from folks in Massachusetts, Montana, Vermont, and KwaZulu-Natal) totaling 271 species, of which 128 were confirmed breeders for Maine. Thanks everyone. Keep Bruce in your thoughts through this project.
Cedar Waxwing - Nice bump in these to 67 confirmed blocks. With 123 probable, we should keep working on these - I've still only seen random courtship activity locally.
House Sparrow - This was like homework on your least favorite subject but more confirmed blocks are coming in so thank you!
NEW CHALLENGES:
1) Chipping Sparrow - Another repeat species challenge but unlike back in mid-May, now they are fledging and I'm finding babies being fed all over the place. Remember, as stated in the article linked above, be careful not to code juvenile birds - look for adults feeding young or some of the other behaviors/traits mentioned. We are already up to 166 blocks confirmed but now is the time to bump that up for this first year.
2) Common Terns - Okay, this is an anti-ahallenge (what NOT to atlas) but if you still haven't read the above article please at least read this: Fledgling terns are leaving the islands that they were born on and can often be seen being fed along the coast. While these birds are still dependent on their adults we DO NOT want to code this behavior because those birds are being seen away from their nesting site and likely outside of the block their nest was in.
3) Willow and/or Alder Flycatchers - both of these seem under reported in general and may get tougher as birds are less vocal but this is a good time to visit sites you had them singing in the spring and see if they have fledglings. Early August was my first time confirming [personally] confirming the Willow Flycatchers nesting at Gilsland Farm: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/65522041
Good birding and happy atlasing!
Doug Hitchcox
Maine Bird Atlas - Outreach Coordinator
Maine Audubon - Staff Naturalist
207-781-2330 x237
dhitchcox@maineaudubon.org
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