Maine birds And MOAC mountainbiking

Thursday 31 October 2019

Re: [Maine-birds] Sandhill Cranes

I've been seeing 22 of them in that spot off and on for a couple of weeks. Nice to know the flock has increased. Didn't see them this morning.]

Wally S.

[Maine-birds] American Tree Sparrow

My husband and I saw the first American tree Sparrow of the Fall this morning, north of Greenville. We also saw a huge flock of dark-eyed juncos in the same area.

Linda Powell

Skowhegan

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Re: [Maine-birds] Fryeburg Harbor, Northern Shrike

Had one in St. Agatha, Aroostook co today as well.

Bill

On Thu, Oct 31, 2019 at 6:05 PM Bob Crowley <crbob@fairpoint.net> wrote:

I couldn't find any Cranes today had to settle for a Northern Shrike. Pictures in eBird report.

https://ebird.org/checklist/S61069685

Bob Crowley
Chatham, NH

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Bill Sheehan
Woodland, Aroostook Co., Maine
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[Maine-birds] Fryeburg Harbor, Northern Shrike

I couldn't find any Cranes today had to settle for a Northern Shrike. Pictures in eBird report.

https://ebird.org/checklist/S61069685

Bob Crowley

Chatham, NH

[Maine-birds] Sandhill Cranes

31 Sandhill Cranes Rt. 8, towards Norridgewock, as of yesterday, 1/2 mile past Smithfield Village.

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[Maine-birds] Re: Tropical Kingbird

That is pretty cool!!

On Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at 4:57:13 PM UTC-4, RALPH ELDRIDGE wrote:

There is currently another Tropical / Couch's Kingbird in Cambridge Narrows, New Brunswick, not much over 120 miles away.

On Wednesday, 30 October 2019 16:29:08 UTC-3, Wendy Sawyer wrote:
We first heard this bird on the Hadley Lake Road in East Machias, ME on October 29, 2019....it almost sounded to us like a tree frog in the beginning...we knew it was something that we had never heard before....we finally located it on a telephone wire...we took several photos, thinking that it was the Great crested Kingbird...so we didn't hang around to watch it for long, as we had seen one before....we waited until this morning to look at the bird on the computer, when we realized that it was not a Great crested, we posted it to a bird group that we belong to on Facebook where it was identified as a Tropical Kingbird

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Wednesday 30 October 2019

[Maine-birds] Re: Tropical Kingbird

There is currently another Tropical / Couch's Kingbird in Cambridge Narrows, New Brunswick, not much over 120 miles away.

On Wednesday, 30 October 2019 16:29:08 UTC-3, Wendy Sawyer wrote:

We first heard this bird on the Hadley Lake Road in East Machias, ME on October 29, 2019....it almost sounded to us like a tree frog in the beginning...we knew it was something that we had never heard before....we finally located it on a telephone wire...we took several photos, thinking that it was the Great crested Kingbird...so we didn't hang around to watch it for long, as we had seen one before....we waited until this morning to look at the bird on the computer, when we realized that it was not a Great crested, we posted it to a bird group that we belong to on Facebook where it was identified as a Tropical Kingbird

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[Maine-birds] Tropical Kingbird

We first heard this bird on the Hadley Lake Road in East Machias, ME on October 29, 2019....it almost sounded to us like a tree frog in the beginning...we knew it was something that we had never heard before....we finally located it on a telephone wire...we took several photos, thinking that it was the Great crested Kingbird...so we didn't hang around to watch it for long, as we had seen one before....we waited until this morning to look at the bird on the computer, when we realized that it was not a Great crested, we posted it to a bird group that we belong to on Facebook where it was identified as a Tropical Kingbird

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[Maine-birds] Fryeburg Cranes

The Sandhill Cranes are continuing on Old River road.

Bob Crowley

Chatham,NH

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[Maine-birds] Eurasian Wigeon - Bangor, 29 Oct

As of 12:40 PM on 30 Oct, the bird is still present near the Garden Way entrance. It was with 6 American Wigeon.

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[Maine-birds] Eurasian Wigeon - Bangor, 29 Oct

Has the bird been seen yet today, 30 Oct? I am debating traveling to see the bird.

Thank you,

Cole Tiemann

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Tuesday 29 October 2019

[Maine-birds] Eurasian Wigeon - Bangor, 29 Oct

There is a hen EURASIAN WIGEON with six American Wigeons at Essex Woods in Bangor right now (2:20PM). They're in the water fairly close to the Garden Way entrance: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2128915

Good birding,

Doug Hitchcox

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Sunday 27 October 2019

[Maine-birds] Cornish: Inland BRANT sighting

A lone immature BRANT (Atlantic subspecies) was spotted today (first by Jeff Webb) at the edge of the cemetery next to Rt. 25 in Cornish, directly across from the Shop and Save plaza. It was photographed and observed for several minutes before flying off in the direction of the Saco River.

List w/photo: https://ebird.org/checklist/S60974361

Sean Smith

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Saturday 26 October 2019

[Maine-birds] Photo American wigeon

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[Maine-birds] American wigeon

Seen at grondin pond now...female..mixed with mallards

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[Maine-birds] Sabattus Pond Redhead

Subject bird still present Saturday morning 10/26. If you go, note that one of the local residents was upset with people on the end gravel portion of Riley Road. You can park in the spaces across from the water district station and walk along the shore at the high water mark (3-5minute walk) as an alternative.
Magill Weber

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Friday 25 October 2019

[Maine-birds] Fryeburg Cranes

31 Sandhill Cranes continue on Old River Road Fryeburg.

Bob Crowley

Chatham New Hampshire

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Re: [Maine-birds] Bremen bird

Same here. No woodpeckers in Bowdoinham for the last two months after an abundance of downys and hairys, including batches of young ones.
> On Oct 25, 2019, at 7:34 AM, Juanita Roushdy <roushdyjuanita@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Forgot to report that a few days ago thought I heard a Grey Catbird in the yard and sure enough up it popped to scold as I passed by. Have gone from having abundant woodpeckers to none - unusual for this location.
>
> Juanita
> Bremen
>
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[Maine-birds] Bremen bird

Forgot to report that a few days ago thought I heard a Grey Catbird in the yard and sure enough up it popped to scold as I passed by. Have gone from having abundant woodpeckers to none - unusual for this location.

Juanita
Bremen

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[Maine-birds] This Week's Highlights, 10/12-18

Hi all,

My observations of note over the past 6 days included the following:

- 3 Lesser and 4 Greater Yellowlegs, 14 Black-bellied Plovers, 46 Laughing Gulls, etc, Wolfe's Neck Center, Freeport, 10/19 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).

~500 Ruddy Ducks, 300 Lesser Scaup, 100 Greater Scaup, 2 American Wigeon, 8 Buffleheads (FOF), etc, Sabattus Pond Sabattus, 10/20 (with Birds on Tap - Roadtrip! tour group).

- 1 AMERICAN REDSTART, 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler, 4 Blackpoll Warblers, etc, Kettle Cove, Cape Elizabeth, 10/21 (with Jeannette).

- 300 TREE SWALLOWS, Crescent Beach State Park, Cape Elizabeth, 10/21 (with Jeannette).

- 2 BOBOLINKS, 1 Tree Swallow, 2 "Western" Palm Warblers, 1 Common Yellowthroat, Private property, Cape Elizabeth, 10/21 (with Jeannette).

- 1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (FOF, finally), 1 Blue-headed Vireo, 150+ Song Sparrows, etc, Eastern Promenade, Portland, 10/22 (with Jeannette).

-Derek

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

Derek and Jeannette Lovitch

Freeport Wild Bird Supply

541 Route One, Suite 10

Freeport, ME 04032

207-865-6000

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Thursday 24 October 2019

[Maine-birds] Red crossbills

Hi all,

Saw this red crossbill pair on the County Road in Milford.

https://photosbychance.zenfolio.com/p432832521/hdac3fbe7#hdac3fbe7

Cheers,

Dave

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[Maine-birds] Big 3

Sam Morgan's painting

Thanks
Linda Panzera
508-254-5949

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Wednesday 23 October 2019

[Maine-birds] Re: Fryeburg Cranes

Thanks to Bob Crowley for posting these birds' return. I was enjoying magnificent scope views of a group of 24 birds when Bob himself drove up. Shortly after, I found another cluster of 7 cranes several hundred yards further South. At one point most of them flew and resorted themselves before settling into two different locations, still all to the East of the northern end of McNeil Rd, beyond its intersection with Old River Rd. These Sandies certainly can be appreciated with binocs, but a scope is recommended given their distance from the road.

Their recent location is a huge improvement over last year's, a corn field ~ 1 mi West, where the birds were much further from the closest available observation point.

On Sunday, October 20, 2019 at 1:54:55 PM UTC-4, crbob wrote:

26 Cranes remain at the north end of McNiel Road

Bob Crowley
Chatham, NH

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Sunday 20 October 2019

[Maine-birds] Fryeburg Cranes

26 Cranes remain at the north end of McNiel Road

Bob Crowley

Chatham, NH

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[Maine-birds] Common gallinule Lord's Pond Fortune Rocks

Feeding in the underbrush on left side of pond below the gray house at 10am.

Marie Jordan

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Saturday 19 October 2019

[Maine-birds] Lands End Bailey Island

Great day to be out. Lots of warbler action. Pair of Black-throated Blue Warbler, tons of Blackpoll and Myrtle Warblers. Checklist with photos of one warbler I'm not sure about. Nashville?? Please let me know.

https://ebird.org/me/checklist/S60767285

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[Maine-birds] FRYEBURG. CRANES

There are 25 cranes at the intersection of McNiel and Old River roads

Bob Crowley

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[Maine-birds] Deceased PURPLE GALLINULE, Sandy Point, Yarmouth, 10/19.

Hi all,

If only for the "what might be out there?...go birding!" files, I just received photos of a deceased immature PURPLE GALLINULE found on Sandy Point Beach, Cousin's Island, Yarmouth this morning by a local non-birder (and forwarded by a friend). Yes, that is next to the high-tension power line crossing that kills and injures countless birds every year, just sayin'

I was at the bridge this morning (light flight for a total of 124 led by 77 American Robins and 20 Yellow-rumped Warblers), but I did not see any gallinules in morning flight, nor did I walk the beach.

-Derek

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

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Freeport Wild Bird Supply

541 Route One, Suite 10

Freeport, ME 04032

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

[Maine-birds] Unidentified Nest

Dear All

I found this nest at the side of a large pine at Lake St George State Park in Liberty, ME.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5co6qoq7ciu4pqo/IMG_0896.jpeg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/w40lkxtow0efkbh/IMG_0894.jpeg

Diameter is 4in and depth is 2in. Outside is woven grasses and inside is lined with pine needles.

Anyone able to identify the maker?

Thanks

—mco

[Maine-birds] Big Migration Day

The north to northwesterly breeze and clear skies seem to be ideal conditions for stragglers to migrate out today.

In about 20 minutes of observation from Buxton, I've seen Canada Geese, Broad-wings, Turkey Vultures, a Harrier and several Ravens all heading south.

Every one of the four solo Turkey Vultures I saw had a BW circling above in close proximity following it south.

Very cool to see.

I imagine Bradbury will be a great vantage point today.

Good Birding!

—mco

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[Maine-birds] MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND REPORT

I'm a bit late with this note. Sometimes the days just seem to get away from you.
Anyway, on the evening of the 15th my attention was on a couple sides of ribs on the grill. My camera was lying on the picnic table about 3 steps away.

It was a perfect still evening with golden light.
I glanced up to see an ORCHARD ORIOLE sitting on the camera. Immediately it flitted after a fly and back again, over and over.
First you watch: Orchards are uncommon enough but at 8-10 feet away, with late-day sunshine and oblivious to everything except the food, this is an exceptional opportunity.
Of course, "Will it let me reach my camera?", was front-of-mind. "Will my ribs burn?", was a close second thought.

So, after watching briefly and seeing the bird acting tolerant, I eased to the table and retrieved the camera ....... bird's still flitting after flies ........ ease the camera up ...... better get it right first shot because the shutter sound will likely spook it.

Well, it didn't spook and at around frame #20 I had to stop shooting: bird's too close, even landing on my shoulders and head to snag mosquitos/flies from my face. (For once happy I wasn't wearing fly dope.)

We moved apart far enough that I could get some more pics and get the ribs turned over.

Perhaps 10 minutes later I'm losing the light, I have too many pictures and the ribs are perfect ........ Did I mention that it was about half way through the session when I slapped myself up the side of my head for being so dense? My Oriole was in fact a male SCARLET TANAGER!!
I had completely forgotten that we are into fall and Scarlet Tanagers aren't scarlet ...... not even a little bit. Guess that I was just too focused on it's proximity to notice the small, blunt bill and the complete lack of wing bars.

So I plunked down until after dark with comfortable temperatures, calm wind, a rising moon, a platter of ribs, cold beer and a co-operative bird running around the table eliminating bothersome insects. Tough life!

Subsequent days were somewhat less enjoyable: periods of drizzle, fog and heavy, horizontal rain supported by winds that topped 50 knots (100kn/hr). Most birds hunkered down through Wednesday into Friday with Gulls the notable exception. Many of them scaled across the breaking surf in search of any tidbit churned up by the seas.

CORMORANTS are passing at irregular intervals in sizable, wind-agitated flocks and an unusual number have been seen roosting with gulls around the back (west) side of the island. I have to wonder how effective their open-wing feather drying might be, considering that they are often sitting in the surf splash zone and near continuous clouds of spray.

Friday saw flocks of gulls again soaring low over the shoreline, just hanging almost stationary in the strong Nor'west wind.
Virtually hidden among the gulls were two PEREGRINE FALCONS. Maybe coincidence but it looked as if they were deliberately emulating the gulls to pass unnoticed while they hunted. They certainly didn't fit the familiar falcon image as they hung virtually motionless, wings rigid, making only tiny adjustments to their flight controls.

Songbirds slowly emerged after the big blow but still held close to cover as the wind refuses to drop below 20 knots. No surprises although a fairly tame LINCOLN'S SPARROW has been visiting the patio and 2 MOURNING DOVES are hanging around.
There seems that a few more WHITE THROATED SPARROWS and RED EYED VIREOS have arrived and this morning I see a DARK EYED JUNCO feeding on the patio.

Still seeing a few butterflies: scattered LADIES and 2 pristine MONARCH BUTTERFLIES on the 16th. There's still some ASTER in bloom but food is not abundant.

Lots of GREY SEALS around the island, mostly riding the swells or resting in vertical-floating groups. This recent bit of heavy sea hasn't allowed many opportunities for them to haul out, certainly not in any of their usual haunts.

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[Maine-birds] First of fall Buffleheads

A flock of 23 Bufflehead appeared at Flat Bay, Harrington on Thursday, October 17 - true to their autumn arrival date for the last 5 years.

We're watching for the Red-breasted Mergansers and Goldeneye which are always hard on the Buffleheads' heels!

Anne Archie, Harrington

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Friday 18 October 2019

[Maine-birds] This Week's Highlights, 10/12-18

Hi all,

Non-Sandy Point observations of note for me over the past seven days included:

1) Boothbay Harbor whale watch, 10/13 (With Terez Fraser and John Lorenc).

-Birds (only listing those beyond Cuckhold's Light):

162 Northern Gannets
12 Northern Fulmars (FOF)
8 Great Shearwaters
7 Red Phalaropes
4 Red-throated Loons
4 Black-legged Kittiwakes
3 Common Loons
2 Pomarine Jaegers
2 ATLANTIC PUFFINS
2 Black Guillemots
1 Bonaparte's Gull
1 Palm Warbler and 1 Savannah Sparrow - both circling boat about 22 miles offshore.

-Mammals:

200-300 Atlantic White-sided Dolphins in large feeding frenzy and wake-riding. Awesome show of massive pod.

Harbor Porpoises and Harbor Seals

1 Minke Whale

Fish and insects:
1 BASKING SHARK
2 Monarchs

several Common Green Darners

2) Bar Harbor whale Watch, 10/15:

- Birds:

139 Northern Fulmars

111 Great Shearwaters

92 Red Phalaropes

79 Northern Gannets

5 Black-legged Kittiwakes

4 Pomarine Jaegers

4 Sooty Shearwaters

2 ATLANTIC PUFFINS

2 Unidentified jaegers

1 Lesser Black-backed Gull

1 DARK-EYED JUNCO

-Mammals:

30-40 Atlantic White-sided Dolphins

Harbor Porpoises and Harbor Seals

0 whales

- 1 Monarch

3) Bailey Island, Harpswell, 10/17 (with Dan Nickerson):

- 10 species of warblers!

##Yellow-rumped

19 Blackpoll

7! Pine

2 Tennessee

2 Northern Parulas

1 AMERICAN REDSTART

1 Black-throated Blue

1 Common Yellowthroat

1 Black-and-white

1 Palm

2 Red-eyed Vireos

1 Eastern Wood-Pewee

-Derek

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

Derek and Jeannette Lovitch

Freeport Wild Bird Supply

541 Route One, Suite 10

Freeport, ME 04032

207-865-6000

www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com

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

Thursday 17 October 2019

[Maine-birds] Laughing Gull Sabattus Pond

Hello all

Laughing Gull winter plumage Sanborn Road sandbar East shore 4:50 pm 17 Oct

Dan Nickerson

Freeport

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

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Wednesday 16 October 2019

[Maine-birds] LeConte

Great look at the LeConte Sparrow at DMR in marshy field behind duck pond-close view in sun a very active bird.
Skip Small
Rockport
Sent from my iPhone

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[Maine-birds] LeContes Sp

Being seen now at Damariscotta River Association/ great salt Pond Farm. In grasses between duck Pond and the winter berry bushes of yesterday

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Tuesday 15 October 2019

[Maine-birds] Orange-Crowned Warbler, Farmington

Greetings, birding friends! While dreaming of LeConte's Sparrows I saw (and even heard a song snippet from) an Orange-Crowned Warbler this morning in scrubby sumacs along the Sandy River in Farmington. This was in the beautiful and birdy "well head protection" fields on the north side of town, adjacent to the UMF athletic fields.

Peace & good birding,

Scott Cronenweth

Industry, ME

scottcronenweth@icloud.com

[Maine-birds] Seacoast Chapter NH Audubon Pelagic Trip - 10/14/19 (SOUTH POLAR SKUA, Fulmars, Red Phalaropes, Puffins, Leach's, Little Gull, and Lark Sparrow!)

The Seacoast Chapter of NH Audubon sponsored an all day pelagic bird
trip yesterday aboard the "Granite State" out of Rye Harbor, NH. The
weather was predicted to be very challenging as 4 foot seas offshore and
thick fog were predicted as the boat departed. But the fog quickly
lifted for beautiful visibility, and the wave period of the 4 foot seas
was very long, and hardly noticed. The wind was generally light out of
the SW and the seas died down even more in the afternoon and overall the
conditions were excellent for mid-October.

Because of the early fog, we bypassed our usual tour of the Isles of
Shoals and headed south toward southern Jeffrey's Ledge off Cape Ann
where there were lots of whales seen the day before. But before we even
got past the isles of Shoals....about 5 miles from the dock, we almost
ran over (!) our first puffin of the day!! Continuing on, we ran into a
group of whales and small numbers of sea birds in the vicinity of
Scantum Basin and New Scantum off Cape Ann in the far southwestern
portion of Jeffrey's Ledge. We then turned northward and got the sun
and wind at our back and coasted north toward the NH State line.

As we cruised north into NH, we were planning on following the contours
of Jeffrey's Ledge to the east, but the sea bird activity increased, and
we noticed a distinct current line where converging currents formed a
visible line toward the NE across Jeffrey's Basin. Along this line
(possibly a result of recent storm?), we saw a fair amount of rock weed
as well as salp and krill, which appeared to be a target for Red
Phalaropes, small gulls, Fulmar, and whales. The line continued for
miles and produced an excellent number of pelagic birds. We worked this
line for most of the afternoon and NEVER EVEN GOT OUT to Jeffrey's Ledge
(!) as bird activity continued at a steady pace. We barely crossed into
Maine waters (where we got the Leach's!) before heading back through the
Isles of Shoals and then back to the dock.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevemirick/48900786241/in/photostream/lightbox/

This was a great trip for birds with a near record high NH total for
Northern Fulmar and a record high NH count for Red Phalaropes.
Shearwaters were scarce and jaegers were not terribly cooperative, but
we got an amazing second state record for SOUTH POLAR SKUA, and lots of
"Bonus" birds, like LOTS of Atlantic Puffins, Leach's Storm-Petrel,
Little Gull, kittiwakes, and even a Lark Sparrow!! And the Humpback
whale performance was incredible!

Some photo pages from Ben Griffith, Jim Sparrell, and Leo McKillop:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bgriffith/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/89302424@N02/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/28422494@N02/

Thanks to Kyle Wilmarth (who was on "baby duty" and couldn't make it)
and David Blezard for organizing this trip and to Captain Pete Reynolds
for working the birds for the benefit of all on the boat. And thanks to
Ben Griffith for keeping count. Numbers below are TOTALS for all
locations and States. eBird checklists are being submitted for birds
seen offshore in NH, ME and MA waters.

Birds
-----------
Common Eider    236. Six moving offshore. The rest around the Isles of
Shoals.
Surf Scoter    8. All moving south offshore.
White-winged Scoter    2. Moving south offshore.
Black Scoter    3 near Isles of Shoals.
Sanderling    2 migrating offshore.
Red-necked Phalarope    6. Latish birds offshore in two groups.
RED PHALAROPE    275 (268 in NH, 7 in MA). Remarkable total for NH
waters. At first single birds here and there, but then a few large
groups (10 to 60 birds) along current-line where they may have been
feeding on salp and/or krill. Appears to be a new documented high count
for NH. There is a record of 200+ off Portsmouth on 11/17/54 (Keith & Fox).
large shorebird sp.    6
SOUTH POLAR SKUA    1 in NH waters. Fantastic bird picked out and ID'd
by Ben Griffith as it flew quickly passed the boat and then continued
southward. We chased the bird for about 10 minutes, but it just kept
flying. Unfortunately, views of this bird were brief and not terribly
satisfactory, but there were some decent photographs captured. The
first well documented record for the State came from September 2018.
Pomarine Jaeger    2. Distant birds ID'd through photos.
jaeger sp.    2. VERY distant birds.
Black Guillemot    4 at Isles of Shoals.
ATLANTIC PUFFIN    8 (all in NH waters). Incredible trip for Puffins!!
All juveniles scattered along the route with one INSIDE the Isles of
Shoals. A couple of the birds stayed on the surface for a long time and
allowed for very close views! Appears to be a high FALL count for NH (7
on Jeffrey's Ledge 11/30/18).
Black-legged Kittiwake    16. Mix of adults and juveniles.
Bonaparte's Gull    104. High count for offshore. Mostly 1st winter
birds. In small pockets here and there. Possibly working on salp and
or krill offshore.
LITTLE GULL    1 juvenile/1st winter mixed in with flock of Bonaparte's
Gulls offshore in NH waters. So far, a nice fall for Little
Gulls....this is my 3rd.
Laughing Gull    6. Lingering birds. Some offshore.
Ring-billed Gull    4. All near or inside Isles of Shoals.
Herring Gull    121
Great Black-backed Gull    64
Common Loon    7. Some migrating.
LEACH'S STORM-PETREL    1 in Maine waters. Beautiful bird that we
chased, and caught up to, for some point-blank side-of-the-boat views!
NORTHERN FULMAR    142 with 135 in NH and 7 in MA. Fantastic day for
Fulmars. Light and dark morph birds. Continuous activity for much of
the afternoon. Appears to be the 2nd highest count for NH (140 offshore
on 2/6/09)
Cory's Shearwater    1. Poor views in bad lighting.
Great Shearwater    23. Scattered offshore.
Manx Shearwater    1. Only a single bird, but nice close views on the
water.
Northern Gannet    72. Not a huge number. But nice (again) to see
close up views of two adults SITTING on SQUARE ROCK at Isles of Shoals.
Great Cormorant    5. Most on Square Rock.
Double-crested Cormorant    45 around Isles of Shoals.
LARK SPARROW    1. Remarkable passerine sighting for the boat trip
while we were well offshore. This poor bird circled and circled, but
just wouldn't land on the boat. We can only hope it made it back to the
mainland.
Pine Warbler    1. Landed on boat for a while
Yellow-rumped Warbler    1 flew around boat with Pine Warbler.

Whales
-----------
Humpback Whale - 26+ counted/estimated by the whale crew on board.
Fantastic number and great feeding performance. Most of the whales were
open-mouth feeding near the surface where they were feeding on KRILL in
a feeding behavior often seen by this species. The whales were
constantly surfacing with mouths wide open right next to the boat.
Several times three to as many as 5 whales came up together with mouths
open in synchronized feeding. Many of the whales were ID'd, but I
didn't take down the names.
Fin Whale - 3
Minke Whale - 0
Atlantic White-sided Dolphin - 6 with Commons.
COMMON DOLPHIN - 8 with Atlantic White-sided Dolphins in small group.
Apparently Common Dolphins have been seen with some regularity from
whale watch boats over the last month; often in mixed pods with Atlantic
White-sided Dolphins.

Fish and other aquatic organisms
----------------------------------------------
Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) - One floating offshore.
Salp - Lots of small chains seen along tidal rip line. Possibly a food
resource for birds.
Krill - Lots of krill seen where Humpback Whales were feeding on it. As
whales surfaced with open mouths, a flush of pink would appear and
disappear as the whales engulfed them. Whale poop was also noted to be red.

Insects
----------
None that I noted - The fog and light winds probably impacted any
potential offshore bugs.

Steve Mirick (with lots of assistance from Ben Griffith who kept numbers
and helped in spotting birds)
Bradford, MA

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[Maine-birds] MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND REPORT

We are just emerging from our second night of patchy fog, drizzle and exceptionally heavy dew.

Both nights produced modest migratory traffic, with the daylight showing sizable flocks of CORMORANTS.

Also revealed by the daylight were an array of newly arrived warblers and sparrows.

No surprises noted, with PINE, PALM & PRAIRIE WARBLERS and WHITE THROATED SPARROWS forming the bulk.
Two female TOWEES and two ROBINS and a BROWN THRESHER were the only stand-outs that I've spotted around the houses.

Elsewhere on the island there have been a lot of KITTIWAKES lounging around the North End when they aren't sailing around nearby.
Kittiwakes are our dominant little gull throughout the winter but they are generally much later and much more dispersed as they forage across the water. Monday I counted several flocks of 200+ and estimated that we were hosting close to 2000, certainly the largest single concentration that I can remember.

The skeletal remains of a small whale (likely a Minke) washed ashore a few days ago. Very little left but enough muscle and fat to keep gulls happy.
It's interesting to see how the ratio of adults to sub-adults is changing as the picking gets slimmer. The species is almost entirely Gr. Blk. Backed Gull and now it's almost entirely sub-adults, especially juveniles.
More and more I'm noting weak or lethargic youngsters and finding remains of the same age-class around the island; some predator victims and some not.
We know that mortality is highest with the youngest members of most any species and I suspect that a wind-fall of food like this whale is the only thing keeping the weaker, less skilled birds together and alive. I'm just seeing what usually happens on a more dispersed basis, away from prying human eyes.

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[Maine-birds] LeConte’s Sparrow continues at Great Salt Bay Farm, Damariscotta, October 15th

Today, Don Reimer spotted the LeConte's Sparrow found by Jeff Cherry on October 10 at the Great Salt Bay Farm Preserve. The bird was seen in the same are as described by Jeff: From parking lot facing the duck pond, follow trail to left. Go past dike that forms the duck pond. The bird was on the left side of the mown trail in the larger of two winterberry bushes next to salt marsh. [today, the bird was seen in the larger of the two winterberry bushes]

The Great Salt Bay Farm preserve is shown in a map with bird lists here:

https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1565544

Louis Bevier

Fairfield

Sunday 13 October 2019

[Maine-birds] Hiram Village: Wild grapes = Bird magnet

The backyard and back hillside were bustling this morning, with the following species (so far) being seen consuming the post-harvest grapes there:

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Pileated Woodpecker (looking odd perched in a sapling; I recently found out that Audubon painted them eating wild grapes, or posed that way, as his were actually dead)

Blue-headed Vireo (an incredible 6 there on 10/4 during a migrant wave)

Hermit Thrush

Robins (by far the biggest grape consumers)

Cardinal

The recently placed bird bath has also been attracting far more species than I thought it would, including a Blackpoll Warbler the other day. Blackpolls have been the most numerous migratory warbler here this fall, so far slightly edging out Yellow-rumped. Interestingly, I've seen zero Yellow Warblers around here in past weeks.

Lists, with some photos:

Today: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S60584575

Yesterday: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S60556759

10/4: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S60341252

Good birding,

Sean Smith

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[Maine-birds] Sandy Point Morning Flight, 10/13

Hi all,

A light flight passed over and through Sandy Point Beach, Cousin's Island, Yarmouth this am.

6:52-9:30

49F, partly cloudy to mostly cloudy, W 0.7-3.0 to calm.

161 Yellow-rumped Warblers

10 White-throated Sparrows

8 Ruby-crowned Kinglets

8 Palm Warblers

7 unidentified

5 Swamp Sparrows

5 American Goldfinches

4 American Robins

4 Purple Finches

3 Common Loons

3 Black-throated Green Warblers

2 Blue Jays

2 Black-capped Chickadees

2 Golden-crowned Kinglets

2 Gray Catbirds

2 American Pipits

2 Blackpoll Warblers

2 Northern Parulas

2 Cedar Waxwings

1 Merlin

1 Northern Flicker

1 Eastern Phoebe

1 Blue-headed Vireo

1 Red-eyed Vireo

1 Brown Creeper

1 Common Yellowthroat

1 MAGNOLIA WARBLER

1 Chipping Sparrow

1 Common Grackle

1 House Finch

T=245

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

Derek and Jeannette Lovitch

Freeport Wild Bird Supply

541 Route One, Suite 10

Freeport, ME 04032

207-865-6000

www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com

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

[Maine-birds] Scarlet Tanager in Manset, MDI

Good morning all - Cable Crossing Road in Manset, on MDI, was birdy this morning early. Along with Ruby-crowned, Golden-crowned kinglets, 2 late-ish Chipping Sparrows and a Savannah, I found a female Scarlet Tanager. Shy bird but good looks. No photo, alas.

List here.

Best,

Craig K

SW Harbor

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Friday 11 October 2019

[Maine-birds] Snow Goose in Lamoine

One snow goose mixed in with Canada geese at iron slipper farm, eagle point road, lamoine.

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[Maine-birds] Additional Highlights This Week, 10/5-11

Hi all,

A few other observations of some note from me over the past seven days also included the following:

- 1 Field Sparrow, Wolfe's Neck Farm, Freeport, 10/7.

- 2 White-rumped Sandpipers, Wharton Point, Brunswick, 10/7.

- 8 Eastern Meadowlarks, Brunswick Landing, 10/7.

- 1 Magnolia Warbler, Crystal Springs Farm, Brunswick, 10/7.

- 5 Red-throated Loons (FOF), 3 Red-necked Grebes (FOF), etc, Dyer Point, Cape Elizabeth, 10/11.

- 28 Tree Swallows, Crescent Beach State Park, Cape Elizabeth, 10/11.

-Derek

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

Derek and Jeannette Lovitch

Freeport Wild Bird Supply

541 Route One, Suite 10

Freeport, ME 04032

207-865-6000

www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com

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

Thursday 10 October 2019

[Maine-birds] Sandhill Cranes in Pittsfield

Hearing and seeing Sandhill Cranes regularly in Pittsfield near my farm on the Snakeroot Rd - they don't seem to favor any fields in particular but can be found near the river up and down route 100 and adjoining roads. Saw groups of five and three yesterday and three flew overhead this morning.

Jill McElderry-Maxwell

Bag End Suri Alpacas of ME, LLC - ¡BESAME!

Pittsfield, ME 04967

(207) 660-5276 (cell)

bagendsuris@gmail.com

http://www.bagendsuris.com

[Maine-birds] LeConte's Sparrow, Great Salt Bay Farm, Damariscotta, Lincoln County

Poor photos here:

https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S60497371

Directions to exact location of sighting:

From parking lot facing the duck pond, follow trail to left. Go past dike that forms the duck pond. Bird was on left side of the mown trail in winterberry bushes next to salt marsh.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jeff Cherry

Cherry Gallery

PO Box 1208

Damariscotta, ME 04543

207-563-5639

914-489-7870 (cell)

cherrygallery.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday 9 October 2019

[Maine-birds] MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND REPORT

Today brought us an exceptional movement of SHARP SHINNED HAWKS.

I counted 166 actually touching down or over-flying the island and there were many more passing within un-assisted sight.
Sharpies are one of our regular raptors but they have been virtually unseen this season prior to today.

It's been definitely one of our largest days for this species.

All of the birds were at low level and I had dozens of them set down briefly near where I was working on a blind.

Coincidently, the blind is used exclusively for raptor photography.

At one point there were 9 Sharpies perched within 50 feet, all of them well aware of my presence. One individual watched me for over 15 minutes as I worked around as close as 12 feet.
Another perched about 5 feet above my head as I knelt down, digging out some stones.

I wondered if that one was just curious or if he hoped I might flush some prey.

I saw very few other raptors: "our" EAGLE, 2 PEREGRINES, 1 MERLIN and, predictably at sunset, a hunting HARRIER.

Moderate North East wind to 25 knots persisted throughout the day and this trend is forecast to continue well into the weekend. It will be interesting to see if there is continued strong raptor movement.

The only other movement of note was several large (250+) skeins of presumed DC CORMORANTS.

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Tuesday 8 October 2019

[Maine-birds] MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND REPORT

It's been a slow-to-average fall here on MSI, as far as migration is concerned. The songbirds are trickling through.
WHITE THROATED SPARROWS are the current leader on the tally board but BUTTERBUTTS and RED EYED VIREOS, among other species, have each briefly held high number on various days.

Raptors are fairly steady. Today it was PEREGRINE FALCONS topping the list with 14 individuals definite. There were several other sightings but there was risk of double counting some of those birds.
There were a couple MERLINS and 3-4 KESTRELS sprinkled through the day and this evening brought a nice female HARRIER hunting until after sunset.
Two and three days ago it was Kestrels from dawn 'til dusk and the dozen or so FLICKERS that were also here didn't get much rest. The Flickers were really too big for the Kestrels and mostly it was Kestrels and Flickers locked in staring contests, frequently just a meter or two apart. Every now and then a Flicker would get unnerved or a Kestrel would feel hopeful, resulting in a swift, brief pursuit. The chase always ended predictably: Raptor ceases the chase and Flicker hunkers down until the next time.
Not all chases are so benign, though, and raptors have to feed. Victim species is usually uncertain but I've found remains of SAPSUCKER, SWAMP SPARROW, SONG SPARROW, FLICKER, YELLOW RUMPED WARBLER, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, YELLOW BILLED & BLACK BILLED CUCKOOS, HERRING & GR.BLK.BACKED GULLS, SAVANNAH SPARROWS, MOURNING DOVE and this evening, a half consumed GRAY CATBIRD.

On the 3rd there was an OSPERY which over-nighted, much displeasing our local RAVENS. He ignored their scolding and that seemed to displease them even more.
Rounding out the Raptors has been 1 or more Harriers almost every evening and our "resident" EAGLE continues to instruct the gulls on survival techniques.

Late last week there was a wave of GANNETS after a slow build-up over perhaps 4 days. They seemed to be finding a bit of food. I estimated as many as 1500 were easily visible just off the southern end of the island and double that visible with binoculars. Plunge fishing at it's best.

Yesterday produced many modest sized flocks of DC CORMORANTS headed to the South'ard as well several flocks of COMMON EIDER. A few of both species spend varying periods of time feeding around the island and /or resting on shore.

There is still a handful of PEEPS flitting about: all or mostly SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS although I saw a SPOTTED SANDPIPER this morning. From tiny to big: I flushed a SNIPE as I walked up-island at sunset and a WOODCOCK as I returned a few minutes later.

There were a couple of "petrel nights" last week. I assume that a lot of the birds observed were likely newly minted versions of LEACH'S STORM PETREL although there were plenty of worn adults and some WILSON'S STORM PETRELS.
Also among the night flyers were PHALAROPES of uncertain identity.

BIRD OF THE DAY: NORTHERN FULMAR
A light morph individual appeared on our lawn around mid-afternoon today (Tuesday). I didn't see it arrive and wonder if it might have grounded during the night and had only just emerged from deep vegetation. It was foggy and rainy last night: more typical of conditions when I've seen them grounded here.
We were receiving materials from multiple helicopter flights so I didn't bother with it at first but when it got close to operations I wrangled it into a cooler for later release.
It's now back at sea, none the worse for its little adventure. It remained quite docile, other than some exploratory surgery on a couple of my fingers. Anyone got a bit of B positive that they can spare?

There are still a few MONARCH BUTTERFLIES moving through but their feeding choices are limited. ASTER is our big crop and most of that has gone to seed. Nonetheless they manage as do the LADIES, SULPHURS & WHITES which comprise virtually all of our current migrants.
Only one HUMMINGBIRD seen this past week and, like the butterflies, it did more searching than feeding.

GRAY SEALS remain numerous with a dozen or two sleeping in front of the house most daytime flood tides. They are always interesting to watch as they float vertically in the water with their snouts pointed straight to the sky and frequently with mouth wide open. They are pretty much always very close inshore and I wonder if being in quite shallow water offers some protection from shark attacks when they rest.
Of course these floating groups are just a tiny percentage of the local population.

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[Maine-birds] Southern York County Coast, 10/8 (BLSK, WEVI, DICK)

Hi all,

Jeannette and I did our usual route from Kittery through Wells on this lovely fall day today. Although very slow for migrants overall, We did have several really good birds:

-1 WHITE-EYED VIREO, Fort Foster
-1 DICKCISSEL, Beach Plum Farm
-1 continuing BLACK SKIMMER, Wells Harbor from both Harbor Road and Drakes Island (reported earlier today by Scott Richardson).

-Derek

Sent from my iPhone

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[Maine-birds] SeaWatch at Schoodic Point

Today's flight on lite SSW to W winds produced the following flight:

981 Northern Gannet

431 Common Eider

366 D.c. Cormorant

6 Great Cormorant

41 Common Loon

3 Red-throated Loon

41 Surf Scoter

37 Black Scoter

4 White-winged Scoter

14 Scoter sp.

1 Caspian Tern

We conduct daily counts for 5 hours starting at sunrise. The majority of birds today occurred from 7 to 9:30 AM. Gannets during that time were within a stone's throw of the shore, easily countable without optical aid. That phenomenon is a rarity.

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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