Maine birds And MOAC mountainbiking

Wednesday 31 July 2019

[Maine-birds] Re: [NHBirds] TRESPASSING PROBLEM - Durham, NH Kite Nest

I would like to add that you should not be parking on the street by their home. Really on either side of the street by that house there is not parking signs and no real shoulder to speak of. I observed several cars parked in front of their house a few days back with photographers set up on the edge of their lawn. I understand it is a walk to park at the library of even further back in town where there is public parking but that is where parking is allowed.
Just my opinion but lets give the homeowner a break, they seem very nice why damage that relationship.
Thank you
Deb Powers-South Berwick Maine

> On July 31, 2019 at 12:40 PM Stephen Mirick <smirick@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>
> I've been told by the land owner that at least one birder has TRESPASSED
> on the private property where the Mississippi Kite nest is along Madbury
> Road in Durham!! The person was observed walking up
> their driveway in order to get a better photograph of the nest. If you
> see the property owner, than you can ask their permission, but otherwise
> STAY OFF THEIR DRIVEWAY!!!! STAY OFF THEIR LAWN!!!
>
> This really makes me pissed off and sad. Is it that important to get a
> great photo that you need to trespass on private property? These home
> owners have been incredibly welcoming to birders to come see the nest,
> but NOT TO TRESPASS!!!
>
> There is a perfectly good observation spot (actually an EXCELLENT SPOT)
> on the public sidewalk on the east side of Madbury Road opposite the
> home. USE IT!!!
>
> For those who subscribe to the NH Facebook Birders page, please
> cross-post this message.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Steve Mirick
> NHBirds List Moderator
> Bradford, MA
>
>
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[Maine-birds] Re: [NHBirds] TRESPASSING PROBLEM - Durham, NH Kite Nest

Or inconsiderate ReTrumplican. Thinks access is part of the 1%.

Mark Szantyr

Storrs, CT

Mark Szantyr

Storrs, CT

"He's not my President"

"Sic Semper Tyrannis"

On Jul 31, 2019, at 3:05 PM, srstandley <srstandley@comcast.net> wrote:

Entitled liberal, no doubt..

Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy S8.

-------- Original message --------
From: Stephen Mirick <smirick@comcast.net>
Date: 7/31/19 12:40 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: nhbirds@googlegroups.com, Massbird <massbird@world.std.com>, maine-birds@googlegroups.com
Subject: [NHBirds] TRESPASSING PROBLEM - Durham, NH Kite Nest

I've been told by the land owner that at least one birder has TRESPASSED
on the private property where the Mississippi Kite nest is along Madbury
Road in Durham!! The person was observed walking up
their driveway in order to get a better photograph of the nest. If you
see the property owner, than you can ask their permission, but otherwise
STAY OFF THEIR DRIVEWAY!!!! STAY OFF THEIR LAWN!!!

This really makes me pissed off and sad. Is it that important to get a
great photo that you need to trespass on private property? These home
owners have been incredibly welcoming to birders to come see the nest,
but NOT TO TRESPASS!!!

There is a perfectly good observation spot (actually an EXCELLENT SPOT)
on the public sidewalk on the east side of Madbury Road opposite the
home. USE IT!!!

For those who subscribe to the NH Facebook Birders page, please
cross-post this message.

Thanks,

Steve Mirick
NHBirds List Moderator
Bradford, MA

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Re: [Maine-birds] TRESPASSING PROBLEM - Durham, NH Kite Nest

One, or a few, selfish people may ruin it for all birders and for these homeowners. :(

Virus-free. www.avast.com

On Wed, Jul 31, 2019 at 12:40 PM Stephen Mirick <smirick@comcast.net> wrote:

I've been told by the land owner that at least one birder has TRESPASSED
on the private property where the Mississippi Kite nest is along Madbury
Road in Durham!! The person was observed walking up
their driveway in order to get a better photograph of the nest. If you
see the property owner, than you can ask their permission, but otherwise
STAY OFF THEIR DRIVEWAY!!!! STAY OFF THEIR LAWN!!!

This really makes me pissed off and sad. Is it that important to get a
great photo that you need to trespass on private property? These home
owners have been incredibly welcoming to birders to come see the nest,
but NOT TO TRESPASS!!!

There is a perfectly good observation spot (actually an EXCELLENT SPOT)
on the public sidewalk on the east side of Madbury Road opposite the
home. USE IT!!!

For those who subscribe to the NH Facebook Birders page, please
cross-post this message.

Thanks,

Steve Mirick
NHBirds List Moderator
Bradford, MA

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[Maine-birds] TRESPASSING PROBLEM - Durham, NH Kite Nest

I've been told by the land owner that at least one birder has TRESPASSED
on the private property where the Mississippi Kite nest is along Madbury
Road in Durham!! The person was observed walking up
their driveway in order to get a better photograph of the nest. If you
see the property owner, than you can ask their permission, but otherwise
STAY OFF THEIR DRIVEWAY!!!! STAY OFF THEIR LAWN!!!

This really makes me pissed off and sad. Is it that important to get a
great photo that you need to trespass on private property? These home
owners have been incredibly welcoming to birders to come see the nest,
but NOT TO TRESPASS!!!

There is a perfectly good observation spot (actually an EXCELLENT SPOT)
on the public sidewalk on the east side of Madbury Road opposite the
home. USE IT!!!

For those who subscribe to the NH Facebook Birders page, please
cross-post this message.

Thanks,

Steve Mirick
NHBirds List Moderator
Bradford, MA

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Tuesday 30 July 2019

[Maine-birds] Tropicbird: no

Another swing and a miss for us on "Troppy."

Laura Blutstein and I went out at 1:00 pm on the Ocean Quarries puffin and pelagic trip aboard the Nigh Duck from Stonington (Oceanville) to Seal I. this afternoon. It was quite a different experience than the trip we reported on Sunday. We had a couple of dozen gannets today rather than hundreds. Our only Razorbills were 2 adults and a juvenile seen on route: NONE at the island itself where we had 75 or so on Sunday. The presumption is that the young have fledged. Adult males escort them and females head out to sea. We did see plenty of puffins and guillemots but no murre, no shearwater and again, no storm-petrels. A calling Whimbrel was a treat but not unexpected this time of year.

My conclusion? If you want to see a Red-billed Tropicbird in Maine, you'd do well to stay away from me.

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[Maine-birds] Exeter WTP in NH - RULES - WEEKENDS ONLY & DON'T DRIVE ON DIKES!!!

The recent sighting of the Tufted Duck at the Exeter wastewater
treatment plant on Saturday has brought on a new batch of first time
visitors. It's great that many got to see this bird over the weekend,
but I need to remind everyone of the rules:

1 - The PLANT IS ONLY OPEN TO BIRDERS ON THE WEEKEND. They are (still)
in the process of a major renovation and they don't want birders to be
in the way of workers during the week. The next chance to try to chase
the duck won't come until next Saturday. Hopefully it will stick around.

2 - DON'T DRIVE ON THE DIKES!!!! This was a major problem on Sunday.
The plant recently paved the dikes and the gates are generally open, so
it is now easier to think it is OK. But it is not. Please park in the
lined parking lot OUTSIDE of the gates and ponds and walk in.

These ponds have been wonderful over the 30+ years I have visited. I
would hate to lose all privileges due to one poorly behaved birder.

Thanks,

Steve Mirick
Bradford, MA

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Monday 29 July 2019

[Maine-birds] Gannets

Flock of 20-30 Northern Gannets, adults and juveniles diving on fish south of Bald Porcupine I. in Frenchman Bay this afternoon.

We have updated our webpage with new nature and family pictures. Web address is: www.fotki.com/townsend-maine

[Maine-birds] Great show on Seal I NWR trip, but the star was missing

Laura Blutstein and I took the Isle au Haut Ferry's Puffin Cruise to Seal I yesterday, leaving at 1:00 pm from Stonington. We had a great day on the water with hundreds of plunge-diving N. Gannets (mostly 1st summer, but a few older birds as well), lots of both Arctic and C. Terns including fledglings; DC and Gt Cormorants; many guillemots, Razorbills and Atlantic Puffins, plus a single Common Murre; and a single Gr. Shearwater, this last seen only poorly. But, the hoped-for Red-billed Tropicbird was nowhere to be seen. eBird list will be uploaded when we resolve an internet issue.

Our thanks to naturalist Laura [lastname?] and Capt Tracy!

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Re: [Maine-birds] BROWN BOOBY in Perkin's Cove, Ogunquit - Belated Report!

I believe I saw this booby fly over the Ogunquit river on Saturday - all brown, so immature - I knew it wasn't an immature gull but could not identify it. Maybe blown off course by the storms and (Cape Cod) tornadoes??

Lea Sewell

Ogunquit Maine

On Sun, Jul 28, 2019 at 7:06 PM Stephen Mirick <smirick@comcast.net> wrote:

I got late word today indirectly through Jonathan Gwalthney of a BROWN
BOOBY that landed on a boat offshore and then rode the boat all the way
back into Perkin's Cove in Ogunquit!!! I believe this was on FRIDAY,
but the time stamp on the photo says Saturday, so???

I'm trying to get more details, but here is a photo of the bird after
they got back into the harbor. Keep you eyes open!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevemirick/48399633311/in/photostream/

Steve Mirick
Bradford, MA

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Sunday 28 July 2019

[Maine-birds] BROWN BOOBY in Perkin's Cove, Ogunquit - Belated Report!

I got late word today indirectly through Jonathan Gwalthney of a BROWN
BOOBY that landed on a boat offshore and then rode the boat all the way
back into Perkin's Cove in Ogunquit!!! I believe this was on FRIDAY,
but the time stamp on the photo says Saturday, so???

I'm trying to get more details, but here is a photo of the bird after
they got back into the harbor. Keep you eyes open!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevemirick/48399633311/in/photostream/

Steve Mirick
Bradford, MA

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Re: [Maine-birds] Maine Bird Atlas - Weekly Challenges, 7/26

Doug,

Thanks for sending the tips and inspirational challenges for the Maine Bird Atlas. I could use a little clarification on one of them. I apologize if I've missed a reference for this.

You wrote:
'A good example is coding an occupied nest when "observing an adult occupying, leaving, or entering a probable nest site (visible or not) and whose behavior suggests the presence of an occupied nest."'

What swift behaviors, beyond entering or leaving a chimney, would suggest the presence of a nest? I've been coding the in-and-out birds as N (visiting probable nest site), because I haven't thought that represents "circumstances strongly indicating" an occupied nest (N).

Bank swallows have been challenging to confirm. I've found them entering cavities on multiple dates, but never carrying food or visiting at the frequency that I'd assume they're feeding voracious young. These sites are also subject to serious disturbance.

What distinguishes occupying from prospecting?

Thanks.

Scott

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Friday 26 July 2019

[Maine-birds] Maine Bird Atlas - Weekly Challenges, 7/26

Hi everyone:

Another week, another round of challenges for the Maine Bird Atlas. See my original post if you need more background on these: https://groups.google.com/d/msg/maine-birds/Xa2xS_JuIS0/Uf0PcLAhAgAJ

If you are new to the Atlas, it is a project by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that partners with Maine biologists and citizen scientists to document the distribution and relative abundance of all breeding and wintering birds across the entire state of Maine. You can learn more about the atlas, and find materials including the Volunteer Handbook here: maine.gov/birdatlas

A quick reminder: Please submit only eBird checklists that have at least one breeding code to the Maine Bird Atlas Portal (ebird.org/atlasme). All lists that do not have breeding codes should be entered to eBird (ebird.org) or the Maine eBird Portal (ebird.org/me).

Let's look at how we did last week:

Confirmed Codes - The goal was to report ANY confirmed code and while that number is harder to retrieve than I realized, I can report the super impressive bump of ~840 new records of confirmed species across the state's blocks. That includes quite a few that we bumped from Probable to Confirmed, which is a great thing to work on this time of year!

Probable/Confirmed goldfinches - This is a good one to keep working on this week. 5 confirmed and 23 probable records came in for this challenge, including this awesome shot Marianna Taylor got in the Hinckley SE block: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/169768841

Confirmed swifts - We managed to get one confirmed record! Interestingly, some of the reports of Chimney Swifts this past week, where notes were included, described behaviors that could have been coded as confirmed. A good example is coding an occupied nest when "observing an adult occupying, leaving, or entering a probably nest site (visible or not) and whose behavior suggests the presence of an occupied nest." Read Page 7 of the recent newsletter for more of these tips: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/maine-bird-atlas/docs/Black-capped%20Chronicle%20Issue%204%20SpringSummer%202019.pdf

Here are the challenges for this week:

1) House Finch - With 65 possible, 36 probable, and 52 confirmed records, there are some gaps to fill with this species. They are common nesting near human dwellings (especially on porch wreaths) that it seems like we could bump this up. Also look for young birds following adults to feeders - if they are still being fed by the adults they can be coded as Recently Fledged.

2) Brown-headed Cowbird - With only 38 confirmed blocks, we need to work on this. One good thing about cowbirds is you usually get two confirmed records for one observation: you can code a chick being fed as Recently Fledged (still dependent on an adult for food) AND you can code the host parent as Feeding Young. I've seen Common Yellowthroats and Red-eyed Vireos feeding cowbird chicks over the past week at Gilsland Farm, so I bet if you keep an ear out for that raspy begging call of young cowbirds, you're likely to find it being fed within a few minutes.

3) Indigo Bunting - This is a tougher species but probably more abundant locally than you realize. Check powerlne cuts (or other edge habitats) and look for adults carrying food this week. Let's see if we can get a bump up from this 20 confirmed blocks. Use this map to see areas they've been detected (possible or probable) but haven't been confirmed yet: https://ebird.org/atlasme/map/indbun

Anyone who completes one of the challenges above will be entered to win any item of their choice (any product, style, color, size, etc) from the Maine Bird Atlas online store: teepublic.com/user/mainebirdatlas/. One entry per person per challenge (complete them all for 3x the chances of winning) from checklists submitted by 11:59PM on 1 Aug 2019.

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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[Maine-birds] This Week's Highlights, 7/20-26

Hi all,

A few observations of note over the past seven days between visiting and visitors for me included the following:

- the family group of Peregrine Falcons with 3 fledglings has been very active in and around the dam and mills between downtown Brunswick and Topsham have been very conspicuous this week. Our Saturday Morning Birdwalk group enjoyed a heckofa show from the Topsham side on 7/20.

- 1 1st summer RED-THROATED LOON, Fort Foster, Kittery, 7/22.

- 225-250 Semipalmated Sandpipers, 118 Sanderlings (FOF), 11+ Piping Plovers, etc, Popham Beach State Park, Phippsburg, 7/24.

-Derek

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

Derek and Jeannette Lovitch

Freeport Wild Bird Supply

541 Route One, Suite 10

Freeport, ME 04032

207-865-6000

www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com

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

[Maine-birds] ISO vantage spot for black terns, sandhill cranes

I have house guests this weekend who are interested in trying for the nesting black terns and sandhill cranes at the southern end of Messalonskee lake.

I have seen them in the past from a clearing opposite Hancock Lumber, but wonder if that is the most reliable spot to look for them.

Also is there a time of day when they are most active?

Alas, we will have no boat to get out onto the lake, so we have to depend on a pullover from the road.

Thanks for any suggestions,

Anne Williams in Lewiston

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[Maine-birds] eBird Hot Spot for Mississippi Kite nests in Durham

The kite nest in Durham seems to be doing well. I see a few reports
from today of the 2 adults and 1 chick in the nest. As a reminder, The
nest is in back of the house at #85 Madbury Road in Durham. This is on
the west side of Madbury Road, just south of Edgewood. It is several
houses north of last year's nest. It is in a white pine tree, and I
believe there is only one obvious pine tree so the nest is quite obvious
from the road. There is a SIDEWALK and great viewing opportunities from
the sidewalk at #86 Madbury Road. Parking is at your own risk. Like
last year, mornings would be much better lighting with the sun behind
you. Be courteous and on GOOD BEHAVIOR if you visit. The home owners
(so far) have been very nice and their kids have been selling lemonade! :-)

In order to clear up a mess of scattered personal locations in eBird,
I've made a Hotspot for this year's nest site. I named it:

"stakeout Mississippi Kite nest, Durham (2019)"

Please use this for future reports. And if you've reported the kites
this summer in or near the nest, it would be great to move your location
to this new Hotspot.

I also created an eBird hotspot for last year's nest called "stakeout
Mississippi Kite nest, Durham (2018)" . I chose to create a separate
Hotspot to show the change in nest site location even though they are
relatively close together. So be careful when choosing your Hotspot.
Also, if you are really industrious, you could change your reports from
last summer's nest to this location.

Thanks,

Steve Mirick
Bradford, MA

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Wednesday 24 July 2019

[Maine-birds] MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND REPORT

We were nearly a week late arriving on the island for this rotation but nearly three weeks have passed and I expect to be leaving tomorrow. So it's probably high time that I caught you up or there won't be a report at all.

The first thing of note is that the fall migration has started with SHORT BILLED DOWICHERS stitching the lawns since around the 8th of the month. It seems as though small groups tarry a day or so but one or two individuals linger when their group leaves. However they work it, there is always one or more hanging around the house & garden area and only moving off when closely approached.

A few peeps, mostly SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, are filtering in and I've seen one SNIPE and a handful of GREATER YELLOWLEGS.

Our SPOTTED SANDPIPERS are just big enough to fly and they certainly can run.
I'm not sure how many nests we had this year but my impression is that the hatch is down slightly this season.

COMMON EIDERS appear more or less average with some pretty big offspring now and one or two nests yet to hatch. I saw freshly minted ducklings yesterday.

SAVANNAH SPARROWS are having a good year with numerous adults trying to satisfy 3 and 4 demanding fledglings. A few appear to be starting a second brood. This year, for the first time, the Savannahs have turned on to jelly ...... any kind ...... I've been serving a bowl full every second day. That's 2 jars a week. A hell of a jump from absolute zero in other years.

The ARCTIC TERNS are having an okay year. Nest number seems to be up but chick survival took a big hit from the prolonged cold, wet weather while many were in their infancy. Gull predation has been significant, as well.
Again, it's my impression, not hard numbers, but I'd expect the final tally of fledglings to equal or exceed last year. My own guesstimate? Could be 200 youngsters but likely more towards 150-175.
As always, there are still nests being incubated, even occasional new eggs, while the earliest youngsters flew the nest a good week ago. Every day there is a noticeable increase in both new flyers and adults congregating at the intertidal loafing spots.
A few minutes ago I counted 9 fledglings sitting on the helicopter pad.
COMMON TERNS are expectedly scarce but those few which we have seem to be enjoying reasonable nesting success.

The ALCIDS are well advanced in their breeding cycles, perhaps a tad late but well within normal timing.
Many, likely the majority, of RAZORBILL chicks have made the trek to the water.
COMMON MURRES are well along and there's a lot of screaming for food.

PUFFINS are still building towards their fledging although I captured my first puffling Monday night (Tuesday morning, 3 am) but none since.
The researchers report that the Puffins are generally is decent condition so I'd expect the first wave of Pufflings to show up most any night now.
As with the Terns, the Alcids have been subject to more predation this year, although not so much as to threaten the overall breeding success.

Two BALD EAGLES have been hanging around pretty much continuously for well over 2 weeks and, unusually, they are overnighting either here or next door on Gull Rock. At this moment they are both sitting cheek-to-jowl atop Gull Rock.
Equally unusual, they behave much like a mated pair in spite of the fact that one is definitely a sub-adult (probable 4th year). The other appears mature but is likely quite young. Mrs. Robertson with her nesting failed or completed?
The local Eiders likely don't care about the Eagle's relationship because they have been the prime target when the Eagles hunt. The young Eiders are especially vulnerable because they can't dive as well as the adults and have less endurance.
Also, the ducklings are easier to handle than the big, heavy adults.
The older Eagle's experience shows. I watched her (judging by size) catch, carry off and consume one large duckling and then return and catch another, all within 15-20 minutes. The 2nd Eagle kept the Eiders under constant attack for fully a half hour but failed to make a kill, eventually joining the successful hunter on the shoreline, looking to steal any scraps.
I have seen lots of evidence that Alcids are also on the menu but Alcids near the Eiders are pretty much ignored, so much so that the Puffins, on the water at least, don't act as if they feel particularly threatened unless they are actually attacked.

Either one or a series of PEREGRINE FALCONS have stopped in for occasional snacks.
On one stop I photographed an Arctic Tern being consumed.
This morning, I watched as brunch went down on the northern tip of the island and I checked the site to find the remains of 3 Puffins and 2 Arctic Terns. Takes a lot of energy to fly fast.

Not much in the way of post-season wandering birds showing up yet, although in recent days I've seen a couple WOOD DUCKS, several young ROBINS, one GREY CATBIRD, a SONG SPARROW and a couple young COWBIRDS.

The season started with about 4 GANNETS hanging around. I suspect it was the core three from previous seasons and an acquaintance. All, save one, moved on, similar to last year, and that singleton still persists, routinely occupying its two favorite roosts and adding a third spot. The new location and one of the older ones are both very near visitor blinds so Mister Gannet continues to wow the tourists with close photo ops. Razorbills and Puffins that infringe on the Gannet's space are "corrected" in jig time. I watched 2 Razorbills get grabbed by the head and pretty much tossed to neutral space. (Bet that shocked those bullies to no end.)
On a less pleasing note: Yesterday, one of the local Maine lobster boats disentangled a young Gannet from a mass of frayed rope. The Gannet administered a good bite by way of thanks.
Anyway, the bird seemed a bit wonky but did swim off, albeit with some awkwardness.
Late yesterday that Gannet came ashore on MSI near the boat ramp where it tucked in for a good nap.
I sat beside it for over an hour and watched it after it woke. I didn't know the back story then but it was obvious that it was tired & shaky. It also acted like there was something in its throat: that cat / fur ball gag action and it had something dull orange and stringy looking on its beak. Unknown then, I now assume that it had ingested some of the frayed orange rope and I was seeing fine, orange rope fibers on its bill.
The Gannet was gone this morning before daylight. I checked around the island this afternoon and found no sign of it but if it didn't eliminate that plastic rope I fear for its survival.

Butterflies are showing up from time to time and I'm seeing MONARCH BUTTERFLIES daily. No big numbers but enough to be encouraging for the year. ........... Maybe I spoke too soon!! .......... I left this for a few hours and I just came in from circumnavigating the island, mainly to see if there was any sign of the juvie Gannet. No joy there.
I spotted a copulating pair of Monarchs flying quite near the house and seemingly looking for a place to land. In short time they settled onto an unopened flower head of ANGELICA so I eased near to get a few porno shots. Not what you'd call animated sex ...... one opened its wings a half dozen times and there was a bit of antenna waving.
However, while I was peeping at that couple, two more individual Monarchs fluttered past and then a second attached couple and more singles. In the space of 5 minutes and a few square meters I had 2 pair mating and at least 5 singles. (One single tried to form a threesome but was rebuffed.)
All in all, it makes me wonder how many Monarchs are actually on the island and whether this is coincidence or some kind of movement afoot.

Also, with the absence of bats I'm noting more moths and a greater variety.
Saw one bat only, one night only, on this rotation (3 weeks). I can't say which species. We used to have LITTLE BROWN BATS but who knows what's surviving the WHITE NOSE?

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Tuesday 23 July 2019

[Maine-birds] Fish Crow Range State Park Poland ME July 16

Hello All,

Sorry for the late post.

Beth and I while cooling off at Range State Park heard and observed at least 3 Fish Crows, Mostly in the pines at the beach front only slightly north of the changing rooms and toilets.

We arrived about 3:30 PM Tuesday July 16 and they were there at that time and until we left around 5 PM. Ring-billed Gulls were harassing them and they were harassing Ring-billed Gulls as well.

I had not heard of any reports from there. This will well be worth checking out next Spring.

Would love to hear from anyone who has more info about Fish Crow at this location.

Dan Nickerson

Freeport ME 04032

Dan's Natural History Blog:
Ravenwatcher
"An Eye on the Natural World"
http://ravenwatcher.blogspot.com

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[Maine-birds] Sanford Lagoons migration start

I was at the Lagoons yesterday and saw 5 LESSER YELLOW LEGS in the front center pond (pond#1) There is a fair amount of open water that is about 2 to 6 inches deep, making it good for wading birds.

There is a small area hidden in the reeds that is exposed mud for other sandpipers,. Very hard to see from the left side and would need a scope to look south west into that area.

Happy birding

Andy Aldrich

North Berwick

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Sunday 21 July 2019

[Maine-birds] Wildlands Chucks - no

Hi all,

I went to the Wildlands- north entrance last night and had no luck with the chucks. I stayed there from about 8:30 to 10:30pm. I had some Whips and Nighthawks calling but no Chucks. I think I was in the right place. I went as far as the second bridge where you have to stop and park if you drive in, stopping to listen on the way in and out. What a wonderful place, a real treasure. I I had no idea it was there and I've been coming to Maine since 1970 or so. Even though I missed them I did see some cool stuff there and on the way back to Rte. 1. I must come back again someday during the day and again at night for the night birds. Thanks again to Rob and Nancy for the help.

Andrew

Yonkers, NY

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Saturday 20 July 2019

[Maine-birds] York County pelagic report (19 July 2019)...

Hi all,

Yesterday, Andy Aldrich, Kevin Couture, and I joined a boatload of
fishermen aboard the F/V Nor'easter out of Kennebunkport. We motored
about 23 miles ESE to the northern end of Jeffrey's Ledge, where we
fished various spots for ground fish (most of the keepers were
Haddock, with some Pollock and Cusk).

Diversity of pelagic species was low. The most common species by far
was WILSON'S STORM-PETREL (I'd guess at least a couple hundred were
observed), but we did see 2 LEACH'S STORM-PETRELS (see photos
https://ebird.org/me/view/checklist/S58305981), 2 GREAT SHEARWATERS, a
handful of NORTHERN GANNETS, as well as the usual dozen or so GREAT
BLACK-BACKED and HERRING GULLS. All in all, pretty quiet bird-wise on
the water yesterday, but calm conditions made for an enjoyable
offshore outing.

Wildly,
Josh

Inspiring Nature Connection in New England ... joshfecteau.com

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Friday 19 July 2019

[Maine-birds] Maine Bird Atlas - Weekly Challenges, 7/19

Hi everyone:

Back as promised, it is time for another round of weekly challenges for the Maine Bird Atlas. See my original post if you need more background on these: https://groups.google.com/d/msg/maine-birds/Xa2xS_JuIS0/Uf0PcLAhAgAJ

If you are new to the Atlas, it is a project by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that partners with Maine biologists and citizen scientists to document the distribution and relative abundance of all breeding and wintering birds across the entire state of Maine. You can learn more about the atlas, and find materials including the Volunteer Handbook here: maine.gov/birdatlas

A quick reminder: Please submit only eBird checklists that have at least one breeding code to the Maine Bird Atlas Portal (ebird.org/atlasme). All lists that do not have breeding codes should be entered to eBird (ebird.org) or the Maine eBird Portal (ebird.org/me).

Here are the challenges for this week:

1) Report ANY Confirmed Code - Starting off with an easy one. July is such a fun time to be atlasing because there is so much going on! Some birds have fledged and other species are still feeding young. At the same time, some are just getting started (see below) while others are on a second brood and doing things like nest building. Reporting ANY confirmed breeding code will get you in the running of this challenge.

2) American Goldfinch - Our latest nesting songbirds are really starting to show off now that thistle is emerging. Males are doing lots of aerial displays and there has been quite an uptick in the number of people reporting them carrying nesting material since the beginning of the month. These birds are so common that everyone should have a chance to watch them this week and spend a little to look for any probable or confirmed code (like CN-Carrying Nesting Material). You may find this 1950 Wilson Bulletin article by Allen Stokes on "Breeding Behavior of the Goldfinch" helpful: https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/wilson/v062n03/p0107-p0127.pdf

3) Chimney Swifts - These are a tough species to confirm and there are only currently only 17 blocks with confirmed records (50 probable, 107 possible). Refer to Page 7 of the latest newsletter (https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/maine-bird-atlas/docs/Black-capped%20Chronicle%20Issue%204%20SpringSummer%202019.pdf) for our article on "Tips for Species Difficult to Confirm" and learn how to confirm Chimney Swifts this week!

Anyone who completes one of the challenges above will be entered to win any item of their choice (any product, style, color, size, etc) from the Maine Bird Atlas online store: teepublic.com/user/mainebirdatlas/. One entry per person per challenge (complete them all for 3x the chances of winning) from checklists submitted by 11:59PM on 25 July 2019.

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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[Maine-birds] This Week's Highlights, 7/13-19

Hi all,

My observations of note over the past seven days included the following:

- inland Glossy Ibises continue (see previous posts).

- Trip to Seal Island as Guest Naturalist with Isle au Haut Ferry Services "Lighthouses and Puffins Tour"

1 Surf Scoter, Stonington to Seal Island.

"TROPPY" the RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD, etc, Seal Island

1 Manx Shearwater, near Saddleback Ledge

- 5 Least Sandpipers (First of Fall minus one taken by a Merlin), Pine Point + Jones Creek, Scarborough, 7/16.

- 1 Black-bellied Plover (FOF), Pine Point, 7/16.

- 10 Semipalmated Plovers (FOF), Pine Point, 7/16.

- 2+ Semipalmated Sandpipers (FOF), Pine Point, 7/16.

-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] Wildlands Chucks still there?

Hi all,

Does anyone know if the Chuck-wills-widows are still in the Wildlands in Orland? I was thinking of heading up there in the next few days at dusk to look for them.

Thanks,

Andrew

Yonkers, NY

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[Maine-birds] Sidney baby kestrels

The good news is three kestrels fledged in my neighborhood. They're adorable hunting for bugs on my neighbor's lawn. Or at least they were. The bad news is that one didn't make it--hit by a vehicle on the busy road where they nest. It must have just happened this a.m.--I came across it on my bike ride. Very distressed.

The killdeer in the field in front of my house, who face many predators real and imagined, have also had to contend with my neighbors riding ATVs and dirt bikes in the corn row because it didn't get planted this wet spring. They seemed to be doing OK, but yesterday the farmer sprayed herbicide (are they going to plant this late??). Does anyone know the impact of herbicide on killdeer? Assuming not good.

Reaching for a positive: At least most of the hayfields around here weren't mowed early this year (except the one immediately surrounding my house. Oy!) Bobolinks should have had a good year.

Julia

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Thursday 18 July 2019

[Maine-birds] Mountain Division Trail/Eastern Slope Airport, Fryeburg 7/18

2 (possibly 3) Eastern Whip-poor-wills were calling this evening at twilight along Mountain Division Trail (miles 47-48.5) in Fryeburg, heard in the general direction of Eastern Slope Airport and its entry road. Additionally there were 8 Common Nighthawks (a high number for this spot) heard & seen hawking insects high above the trail.

Also this evening at Mt. Division Trail were a single Northern Rough-winged Swallow and a Canada Warbler. Checklist with audio: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S58284825

Sean Smith

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[Maine-birds] Migration Monitor position at Schoodic Point, Acadia National Park

We're looking for a fall migration seabird counter. Please spread the word to folks you know who might be interested, and qualified. The description is attached. Have them get in touch with me via email.

Thanks!

Seth Benz

Bird Ecology Program Director

Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park t: 207.288.1350 c: 207.412.8677
e: sbenz@schoodicinstitute.org
w: www.schoodicinstitute.org
m: P.O. Box 277, Winter Harbor, Maine 04693

Pursuing collaborative solutions
through discovery and learning

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Wednesday 17 July 2019

[Maine-birds] Change in Bird Monitoring at Scarborough Marsh

On Saturday with the heat index, it is suppose to be 107 degrees with high humidity, after talking with several other people, we decided that we should not do the bird monitoring on Saturday as usual. We can not postpone it until next weekend since we will be doing the Insect and Plant Biodiversity Day on July 27 (We hope people will consider coming to that.) So I thought we might be creative, if anyone is interested in doing a section, please be in touch and I will give you the materials for that section. You can reach me at smac@maineaudubon.org or call 207-883-5100 and press O.

Also please put August 17 from 7-10 for the next bird monitoring event on your calendar.

Thank You, Linda

Linda Woodard II Maine Audubon

Director of Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center

_______________________________

20 Gilsland Farm Road, Falmouth, ME 04105

tel (207) 883-5100

mobile 207-415-8331

web maineaudubon.org

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[Maine-birds] Juvenile Summer Tanager

Hi - Juvenile Summer Tanager in Cape Elizabeth. Could someone confirm? please see pic below.

~ Brooks

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[Maine-birds] Little Gull

Little Gull continues at Laudholm Beach in Wells. Observed and photographed around 8:00 am this morning with several small groups of Bonapartes Gulls that were spread out along the beach at low tide.

After several minutes the bird flew out over the water and wasn't seen again.

Bob Dixon

Eliot, Me.

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[Maine-birds] Maine Bird Atlas - Summer Update

Hi everyone:

Thanks for your patience during my hiatus from posting weekly challenges for the Maine Bird Atlas. This has been an amazing breeding season and I've had a great time connecting with hundreds of people around the state about the atlas. From training sessions and birding festivals, to garden clubs and teen camps, the range of folks interested in this project is inspiring. Here are a couple summer updates:

Since the beginning of this second breeding season:
Over 11,000 checklists submitted to the Maine Bird Atlas portal
264 new volunteers have contributed checklists
Bringing our total survey time by volunteers to over 25,000 hours
200 new Priority Blocks have data, increasing the percent coverage from 50% to 71%
And 3 more species have Confirmed records, bringing the total to 202

Also, I wanted to make sure people knew our most recent newsletter is available here:
https://ebird.org/atlasme/news/black-capped-chronicle-issue-4-spring-summer-2019

And a quick reminder as we progress through the nesting season that volunteers should use a bit of caution with some codes. Post-breeding dispersal (bring on the White Ibis!) and fall migration (shorebirds!!) are underway and many juvenile birds are moving from their natal grounds - be careful to not code these as "Recently Fledged". More details on this and other issues can be found in this article: https://ebird.org/atlasme/news/fledglings/

New Weekend Challenges coming this Friday!

Happy atlasing!

Doug Hitchcox
Maine Bird Atlas - Outreach Coordinator
Maine Audubon - Staff Naturalist
207-781-2330 x237
dhitchcox@maineaudubon.org

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Tuesday 16 July 2019

[Maine-birds] Wilson's Plover - Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge (Restricted Access)

Hi all,

Sorry for the late post! Busy time of year here with many tern and alcid chicks about! Just wanted to share that I found a Wilson's Plover on Seal Island NWR on the 13th. See photos in ebird checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S58183451. This was certainly not a species on my radar for this island as the habitat seemed way off. Like other rare shorebirds I have had here on Seal, it was a one day wonder. Regardless, pretty amazing considering its the furtherest north and east of the only 9 accepted/historical/ not reviewed records in the state and apparently the first away from a sandy beach!

Regards and Razorbills,

Keenan Yakola

Seal Island NWR

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Monday 15 July 2019

[Maine-birds] Re: Bird Monitoring at Scarborough Marsh

Just a reminder about our bird monitoring this Saturday!

Join us on July 20 from 8am t0 around 11 for our annual marsh-wide survey of birds at Scarborough Marsh The survey will document the numbers of individuals and species present in the marsh. Depending on the assignment, surveys could last between 1-3 hours and may be done on foot, by car or from a canoe (provided at the marsh or bring your own). Beginning birders welcome! They will go out with experienced monitors. Data gathered will be imputed into eBird and the Maine Bird Atlas where applicable.

The morning will start with a brief introduction to the marsh and the survey methods. After that, monitors will disburse to their assigned sections, and actual surveys may last up to several hours (depending on location surveyed).

Refreshments provided.

For more information and to register, contact Linda Woodard at 883-5100 and press O or e-mail smac@maineaudubon.org. Registration not mandatory but helps me figure out the teams.

Please help us by spreading the word.

Mark your calendars for August 17 from 7-10 for the next bird monitoring event.

Monitoring information

Linda

Linda Woodard II Maine Audubon

Director of Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center

_______________________________

20 Gilsland Farm Road, Falmouth, ME 04105

tel (207) 883-5100

mobile 207-415-8331

web maineaudubon.org

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Sunday 14 July 2019

[Maine-birds] Re: Baby bird extravaganza

Same here in Hallowell! The whole week has been full of fledgling chatter and practice. Re; cowbirds, all spring we have had a trio of cardinals hanging together (two males and a female) and this week the two males were shepherding 3 cowbird juveniles, showing them the ropes. I haven't seen any cardinal fledglings yet. Maybe the trio will try again!.

And Doug, I will enter at least some of the frenzy into the breeding bird atlas :)

On Sunday, July 14, 2019 at 4:24:00 PM UTC-4, Peggy Page wrote:

I am sitting on my deck in Cape Elizabeth watching a feeding frenzy of fledglings in the red pines. At least fifteen young titmice and chickadees, and even a couple of families of Black-and-White Warblers. There is begging and chattering and chasing galore. One little chickadee just missed his intended perch and fell into the grass. No prob, up he got and off he went, with a parent by his side. Amazing! Every youngster is doing its best to figure out how to find their own food.

One poignant note - a juvenile cowbird is chasing his/her adoptive B&W Warbler mother, begging incessantly. She has fed him/her several times and ignored the two B&W juveniles begging behind her. Of course, he/she is twice the size of the warbler.

Sent from my iPad

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[Maine-birds] Baby bird extravaganza

I am sitting on my deck in Cape Elizabeth watching a feeding frenzy of fledglings in the red pines. At least fifteen young titmice and chickadees, and even a couple of families of Black-and-White Warblers. There is begging and chattering and chasing galore. One little chickadee just missed his intended perch and fell into the grass. No prob, up he got and off he went, with a parent by his side. Amazing! Every youngster is doing its best to figure out how to find their own food.

One poignant note - a juvenile cowbird is chasing his/her adoptive B&W Warbler mother, begging incessantly. She has fed him/her several times and ignored the two B&W juveniles begging behind her. Of course, he/she is twice the size of the warbler.

Sent from my iPad

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Saturday 13 July 2019

[Maine-birds] Re: This Week's Highlights, 7/6-12

Hi Derek,

Where is this Burnt Hill Mtn.? I'd be interested in seeing those thrushes if it's not to hard a hike. Thanks.

Andrew

Yonkers, NY

On Friday, July 12, 2019 at 6:48:53 PM UTC-4, D Lovitch wrote:

Hi all,
My observations of note over the past seven days included the following:
- Glossy Ibis reports continue from Cumberland to Durham to Brunswick. Jeannette and I had a nice dusk flight of them over Thompson's Point in Portland on 7/6 as they returned to the colony on Stratton Island.
- 24+ occupied nests in Purple Martin colony on Depot Road in Belgrade, 7/8 (with Jeannette). This is a new high count since our project to restore this colony began.
- 5 male Green-winged Teal, etc, Carrabassett Valley Snowfluent Ponds, 7/8-9 (with Jeannette). Post-breeding dispersal/molt migration regularly brings some here in mid summer.
- 9+ Bicknell's Thrushes, 9+ Blackpoll Warblers, etc, Burnt Hill (Mountain), 7/9 (with Jeannette).
- 12 Short-billed Dowitchers (First of Fall), 4 Lesser Yellowlegs (FOF), and 1 Greater Yellowlegs (first fall migrant), Wharton Point, Brunswick, 7/11.
- 1 Red-breasted Merganser, Simpson's Point, Brunswick, 7/11.

-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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Friday 12 July 2019

[Maine-birds] This Week's Highlights, 7/6-12

Hi all,

My observations of note over the past seven days included the following:

- Glossy Ibis reports continue from Cumberland to Durham to Brunswick. Jeannette and I had a nice dusk flight of them over Thompson's Point in Portland on 7/6 as they returned to the colony on Stratton Island.

- 24+ occupied nests in Purple Martin colony on Depot Road in Belgrade, 7/8 (with Jeannette). This is a new high count since our project to restore this colony began.

- 5 male Green-winged Teal, etc, Carrabassett Valley Snowfluent Ponds, 7/8-9 (with Jeannette). Post-breeding dispersal/molt migration regularly brings some here in mid summer.

- 9+ Bicknell's Thrushes, 9+ Blackpoll Warblers, etc, Burnt Hill (Mountain), 7/9 (with Jeannette).

- 12 Short-billed Dowitchers (First of Fall), 4 Lesser Yellowlegs (FOF), and 1 Greater Yellowlegs (first fall migrant), Wharton Point, Brunswick, 7/11.

- 1 Red-breasted Merganser, Simpson's Point, Brunswick, 7/11.

-Derek

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

Derek and Jeannette Lovitch

Freeport Wild Bird Supply

541 Route One, Suite 10

Freeport, ME 04032

207-865-6000

www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com

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