[Maine-birds] Eastern Prom Report - Portland, ME

Hello from the unofficial Eastern Prom Hawkwatch!

I'm kidding about the hawkwatch bit, but migration was certainly under way and I was reaping the benefits of their movement. Highlight today was a male northern harrier (NOHA) flying low over the promenade and quickly disappearing in a northernly direction. Not likely to get one of those on the Eastern Promenade outside of a flyover code!

Nine turkey vultures (TUVU) followed shortly thereafter, also on the move north. Flushed a local sharp-shinned hawk (SSHA) and well... that was it for raptors. Spring's vanguard of common grackles (COGR) has arrived as well as a good influx of American robins (AMRO). Buffleheads (BUFF) still remain, as well as an unexpected group of black scoter (BLSC) that I've seen a few times now off of the prom.

Beaucoup song sparrows (SOSP) along the bike path, counted about 55 of them. Unable to pull out a rarity from amongst them, even had one promising-looking Lincoln's sparrow (LISP) in some dense puckerbrush that ended up belting out a disappointingly pitch perfect song sparrow song and revealing itself to be an imposter. So much for that...

It's a gorgeous day outside, hope everyone gets to spend some time out enjoying it. Wishing you all the best in birding.

Ian Carlsen
Portland, ME

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