Maine birds And MOAC mountainbiking

Wednesday 29 June 2022

[Maine-birds] Re: Katahdin Woods and Waters area

Nice. I was there a week ago this past tuesday and had a lot of what you mentioned except some of the mammals. Did had fresh bear scat and moose scat around but no bear or moose until I left the park when I had a moose just east of the park. Of course that's probably because I was only there a day. Love that place. So much better than Baxter in my opinion:-)

Andrew

On Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 1:33:03 PM UTC-4 Nathan Hall wrote:

I was able to spend the last few days birding and atlasing the Katahdin Woods and Waters area. It was the first time that I had been there and it was amazing.

I had 87 bird species in and around the monument over 3 days, tons of warblers, woodpeckers, flycatchers, and thrushes. On top of the birds I had 2 Black Bears, a Moose, a Coyote (chasing a fawn), numerous White-tailed Deer & Snowshoe Hares, a Red Fox, Beavers, a vole, and tons of Red Squirrels and chipmunks. There were numerous insects, large flights of Chalk-faced Corporals, Common Whitetails, and Ebony Jewelwings, plus many more odonata which I still need to id. Not to mention butterflies, moths, and tiger beetles.

My highlight birds were both seen at the Black Spruce Bog on the Loop Rd. One evening I watched a Common Nighthawk booming and then the next morning I was treated to a Cape May Warbler.

I'm still adding non-bird pictures, bird sounds, maps, and more narrative but here is my full eBird trip report.

Be well
Nathan Hall
Portland, ME

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[Maine-birds] Katahdin Woods and Waters area

I was able to spend the last few days birding and atlasing the Katahdin Woods and Waters area. It was the first time that I had been there and it was amazing.

I had 87 bird species in and around the monument over 3 days, tons of warblers, woodpeckers, flycatchers, and thrushes. On top of the birds I had 2 Black Bears, a Moose, a Coyote (chasing a fawn), numerous White-tailed Deer & Snowshoe Hares, a Red Fox, Beavers, a vole, and tons of Red Squirrels and chipmunks. There were numerous insects, large flights of Chalk-faced Corporals, Common Whitetails, and Ebony Jewelwings, plus many more odonata which I still need to id. Not to mention butterflies, moths, and tiger beetles.

My highlight birds were both seen at the Black Spruce Bog on the Loop Rd. One evening I watched a Common Nighthawk booming and then the next morning I was treated to a Cape May Warbler.

I'm still adding non-bird pictures, bird sounds, maps, and more narrative but here is my full eBird trip report.

Be well

Nathan Hall

Portland, ME

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Tuesday 28 June 2022

Re: [Maine-birds] Re: Trumpeter swans on China Lake

These could be the same 4 Mute Swans that were in South Portland until 6/14. The bills on those birds fits Louis' description of the bills on these birds.

Turk

Cape Porpoise

On 6/28/22 10:49 AM, Louis Bevier wrote:

These are Mute Swans, and a key character visible in all the photos, even the poorest, is the long and pointed tail. Trumpeter and Tundra Swans have short and rounded or squared-off tails. The dull pinkish bills with black frames is similar to that of juvenile and young immature Tundra and some Trumpeter Swans, but birds like that would not be expected until late summer (where they breed) or in fall and early winter.

The most likely swan in Maine during summer is still Mute Swan, but the species is unexpected in central Maine. Most Mute Swans in Maine show up along the coast from Sagadahoc County south. Trumpeter Swans have not yet made it to Maine regularly, with two records: April 2011 and March 2022. But the introduced populations are increasing and birds lingering into summer have been seen in New Hampshire, for example. But again, the bills would be all black in June and the tails short and not pointed.

The China Lake birds are all white, and I caution describing them as grayish or off-white. That is photo artifact and shading. It is important to work out characters in the field and take care interpreting what a photo shows. The dull orangish-pink bills and lack of obvious swollen knobs at the bill base suggest these are young birds about a year old. They could be siblings and traveling together. Although there was a pair of Mute Swans kept as pets in Waterville years ago, and someone had put out life-size inflatable Mute Swans in Oakland at the north end of Messalonskee, these would be the first Mute Swans in central Maine that are likely free-flying and from established introduced populations. Thanks for visiting; now please go home.

As far as entering these in eBird, if one is unsure of an identification, please use a broader category, like swan sp. (search the eBird species list if using the app). There is also Tundra/Trumpeter Swan in eBird, but in this case initial concerns included Mute; so swan sp. would be appropriate until one works out the identification. And let's hope they don't start showing up here, but there are Mute x Trumpeter hybrids.

Louis Bevier

Fairfield

On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 2:47:04 PM UTC-4 JMSmith wrote:

4 what i believe, are trumpeter swans are located at the north end of China Lake. I tried identifying my photo on Merlin and it did not come up with an answer.

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Re: [Maine-birds] Re: Trumpeter swans on China Lake

Replying to Mark specifically, but others as well. We can all do without the snarkiness. This should be educational and informative and not "I'm the only expert and your all idiots". I have been birding my whole life. I don't have the luxury to travel all over and find every bird that ever existed and draw them out in my journals. I have almost zero experience with swans having only seen a tundra swan once previously. I have an undergraduate degree in biology and am also a Maine Master Naturalist. I am well schooled in scientific research. I have the Merlin app on my phone, but don't use it as I prefer my Sibley book which has a broken binding and loose pages. I saw these swans from a distance and only had my phone with me - no camera and no bins. I also had just had ankle surgery 5 days prior to this so I couldn't even get out of the car to try to get better photos or a better view. I was restricted to the car and the road. I was excited to see them there and wanted to get the info out there for others. I based my evaluation on what I had and I was still unsure of the ID. To me the beaks did not appear orange and don't appear so in my photos. Yes, in one bird it looks "pale" but not orange. So I ruled out Mute swans. Because I was unsure of the ID and wanted to post it I thought I would try Merlin. I have heard it is unreliable, but have not used it enough to make any opinion. I was expecting it to come up with all 3 species of swan and was surprised it went with Tundra although I was still leaning towards trumpeter so that is what I put in my post. Forgive me for my grave error. But rather than sparky comments and attacking my skills perhaps you could have posted some of your photos that I saw later on the Maine Birds Facebook page that were much better than mine and clearly identified them. I am sorry that I ever made the post and will not do so again in the future because I don't need this attitude in my life.

On Mon, Jun 27, 2022, 9:49 PM Mark Szantyr <birddog55@charter.net> wrote:

A review of the photos seems to show less than adult swans ( note the off white dorsal coloration ) with the head and bill shape of Mute Swans. The exposure is such that any color at all is difficult to discern but one bill appears to be not black but pale. I do not believe these swans are identifiable from these photos with any certainty but mute swan can not be eliminated. I do not accept that the bills "are clearly not orange".

Now to Merlin. If birders spent more time writing accurate descriptions and less feeding info into a flawed program, we all might have information that can be used. Merlin allows lazy birding and forces identifications that are
Inaccurate and not a product of careful study and observation. Writing notes and making field sketches are worth so much more than a droid reinforcing sloppy id skills.

Mark Szantyr
Storrs, CT

On Jun 27, 2022, at 9:13 PM, Jay Pendleton <jkpen57@gmail.com> wrote:

Mark Szantyr,

Instead of snarking that "Merlin is incredibly inaccurate" without offering any corroborating evidence, why don't you address the original poster's comment that
"clearly, the bills are not orange," as they should be for mute swan?
And for the record, I have no skin in this game beyond a concern for accuracy and fairness.

Jay Pendleton, Camden

On Sun, Jun 26, 2022 at 10:06 PM Mark Szantyr <birddog55@charter.net> wrote:
Merlin is incredibly inaccurate. Just sayin.

Mark Szantyr
Storrs, CT

On Jun 26, 2022, at 9:06 PM, JMSmith <jeanette.m.smith@gmail.com> wrote:

Based on this photo Merlin says Tundra swans. Clearly, the bills are not orange
On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 7:40:16 PM UTC-4 Birddog55 wrote:
I might seriously consider mute swans for this group.

Mark Szantyr
Storrs, CT

On Jun 26, 2022, at 5:45 PM, andrew...@gmail.com <andrew...@gmail.com> wrote:

Sure they're not Mute Swans? Hard to tell without blowing up the photo, but the posture, heads and bill color look good for that species.

Andrew

On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 2:47:04 PM UTC-4 JMSmith wrote:
4 what i believe, are trumpeter swans are located at the north end of China Lake. I tried identifying my photo on Merlin and it did not come up with an answer.

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[Maine-birds] Re: Trumpeter swans on China Lake

These are Mute Swans, and a key character visible in all the photos, even the poorest, is the long and pointed tail. Trumpeter and Tundra Swans have short and rounded or squared-off tails. The dull pinkish bills with black frames is similar to that of juvenile and young immature Tundra and some Trumpeter Swans, but birds like that would not be expected until late summer (where they breed) or in fall and early winter.

The most likely swan in Maine during summer is still Mute Swan, but the species is unexpected in central Maine. Most Mute Swans in Maine show up along the coast from Sagadahoc County south. Trumpeter Swans have not yet made it to Maine regularly, with two records: April 2011 and March 2022. But the introduced populations are increasing and birds lingering into summer have been seen in New Hampshire, for example. But again, the bills would be all black in June and the tails short and not pointed.

The China Lake birds are all white, and I caution describing them as grayish or off-white. That is photo artifact and shading. It is important to work out characters in the field and take care interpreting what a photo shows. The dull orangish-pink bills and lack of obvious swollen knobs at the bill base suggest these are young birds about a year old. They could be siblings and traveling together. Although there was a pair of Mute Swans kept as pets in Waterville years ago, and someone had put out life-size inflatable Mute Swans in Oakland at the north end of Messalonskee, these would be the first Mute Swans in central Maine that are likely free-flying and from established introduced populations. Thanks for visiting; now please go home.

As far as entering these in eBird, if one is unsure of an identification, please use a broader category, like swan sp. (search the eBird species list if using the app). There is also Tundra/Trumpeter Swan in eBird, but in this case initial concerns included Mute; so swan sp. would be appropriate until one works out the identification. And let's hope they don't start showing up here, but there are Mute x Trumpeter hybrids.

Louis Bevier

Fairfield

On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 2:47:04 PM UTC-4 JMSmith wrote:

4 what i believe, are trumpeter swans are located at the north end of China Lake. I tried identifying my photo on Merlin and it did not come up with an answer.

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Monday 27 June 2022

Re: [Maine-birds] Re: Trumpeter swans on China Lake

It was my pleasure.

Mark Szantyr

Storrs, CT

On Jun 27, 2022, at 11:50 PM, Jay Pendleton <jkpen57@gmail.com> wrote:

Mark, thank you for responding, both in detail and more calmly than I addressed you.

Jay Pendleton

On Mon, Jun 27, 2022 at 9:49 PM Mark Szantyr <birddog55@charter.net> wrote:
A review of the photos seems to show less than adult swans ( note the off white dorsal coloration ) with the head and bill shape of Mute Swans. The exposure is such that any color at all is difficult to discern but one bill appears to be not black but pale. I do not believe these swans are identifiable from these photos with any certainty but mute swan can not be eliminated. I do not accept that the bills "are clearly not orange".

Now to Merlin. If birders spent more time writing accurate descriptions and less feeding info into a flawed program, we all might have information that can be used. Merlin allows lazy birding and forces identifications that are
Inaccurate and not a product of careful study and observation. Writing notes and making field sketches are worth so much more than a droid reinforcing sloppy id skills.

Mark Szantyr
Storrs, CT

On Jun 27, 2022, at 9:13 PM, Jay Pendleton <jkpen57@gmail.com> wrote:

Mark Szantyr,

Instead of snarking that "Merlin is incredibly inaccurate" without offering any corroborating evidence, why don't you address the original poster's comment that
"clearly, the bills are not orange," as they should be for mute swan?
And for the record, I have no skin in this game beyond a concern for accuracy and fairness.

Jay Pendleton, Camden

On Sun, Jun 26, 2022 at 10:06 PM Mark Szantyr <birddog55@charter.net> wrote:
Merlin is incredibly inaccurate. Just sayin.

Mark Szantyr
Storrs, CT

On Jun 26, 2022, at 9:06 PM, JMSmith <jeanette.m.smith@gmail.com> wrote:

Based on this photo Merlin says Tundra swans. Clearly, the bills are not orange
On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 7:40:16 PM UTC-4 Birddog55 wrote:
I might seriously consider mute swans for this group.

Mark Szantyr
Storrs, CT

On Jun 26, 2022, at 5:45 PM, andrew...@gmail.com <andrew...@gmail.com> wrote:

Sure they're not Mute Swans? Hard to tell without blowing up the photo, but the posture, heads and bill color look good for that species.

Andrew

On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 2:47:04 PM UTC-4 JMSmith wrote:
4 what i believe, are trumpeter swans are located at the north end of China Lake. I tried identifying my photo on Merlin and it did not come up with an answer.

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Re: [Maine-birds] Re: Trumpeter swans on China Lake

Mark, thank you for responding, both in detail and more calmly than I addressed you.

Jay Pendleton

On Mon, Jun 27, 2022 at 9:49 PM Mark Szantyr <birddog55@charter.net> wrote:

A review of the photos seems to show less than adult swans ( note the off white dorsal coloration ) with the head and bill shape of Mute Swans. The exposure is such that any color at all is difficult to discern but one bill appears to be not black but pale. I do not believe these swans are identifiable from these photos with any certainty but mute swan can not be eliminated. I do not accept that the bills "are clearly not orange".

Now to Merlin. If birders spent more time writing accurate descriptions and less feeding info into a flawed program, we all might have information that can be used. Merlin allows lazy birding and forces identifications that are
Inaccurate and not a product of careful study and observation. Writing notes and making field sketches are worth so much more than a droid reinforcing sloppy id skills.

Mark Szantyr
Storrs, CT

On Jun 27, 2022, at 9:13 PM, Jay Pendleton <jkpen57@gmail.com> wrote:

Mark Szantyr,

Instead of snarking that "Merlin is incredibly inaccurate" without offering any corroborating evidence, why don't you address the original poster's comment that
"clearly, the bills are not orange," as they should be for mute swan?
And for the record, I have no skin in this game beyond a concern for accuracy and fairness.

Jay Pendleton, Camden

On Sun, Jun 26, 2022 at 10:06 PM Mark Szantyr <birddog55@charter.net> wrote:
Merlin is incredibly inaccurate. Just sayin.

Mark Szantyr
Storrs, CT

On Jun 26, 2022, at 9:06 PM, JMSmith <jeanette.m.smith@gmail.com> wrote:

Based on this photo Merlin says Tundra swans. Clearly, the bills are not orange
On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 7:40:16 PM UTC-4 Birddog55 wrote:
I might seriously consider mute swans for this group.

Mark Szantyr
Storrs, CT

On Jun 26, 2022, at 5:45 PM, andrew...@gmail.com <andrew...@gmail.com> wrote:

Sure they're not Mute Swans? Hard to tell without blowing up the photo, but the posture, heads and bill color look good for that species.

Andrew

On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 2:47:04 PM UTC-4 JMSmith wrote:
4 what i believe, are trumpeter swans are located at the north end of China Lake. I tried identifying my photo on Merlin and it did not come up with an answer.

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Re: [Maine-birds] Re: Trumpeter swans on China Lake

A review of the photos seems to show less than adult swans ( note the off white dorsal coloration ) with the head and bill shape of Mute Swans. The exposure is such that any color at all is difficult to discern but one bill appears to be not black but pale. I do not believe these swans are identifiable from these photos with any certainty but mute swan can not be eliminated. I do not accept that the bills "are clearly not orange".

Now to Merlin. If birders spent more time writing accurate descriptions and less feeding info into a flawed program, we all might have information that can be used. Merlin allows lazy birding and forces identifications that are
Inaccurate and not a product of careful study and observation. Writing notes and making field sketches are worth so much more than a droid reinforcing sloppy id skills.

Mark Szantyr

Storrs, CT

On Jun 27, 2022, at 9:13 PM, Jay Pendleton <jkpen57@gmail.com> wrote:

Mark Szantyr,

Instead of snarking that "Merlin is incredibly inaccurate" without offering any corroborating evidence, why don't you address the original poster's comment that
"clearly, the bills are not orange," as they should be for mute swan?
And for the record, I have no skin in this game beyond a concern for accuracy and fairness.

Jay Pendleton, Camden

On Sun, Jun 26, 2022 at 10:06 PM Mark Szantyr <birddog55@charter.net> wrote:
Merlin is incredibly inaccurate. Just sayin.

Mark Szantyr
Storrs, CT

On Jun 26, 2022, at 9:06 PM, JMSmith <jeanette.m.smith@gmail.com> wrote:

Based on this photo Merlin says Tundra swans. Clearly, the bills are not orange
On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 7:40:16 PM UTC-4 Birddog55 wrote:
I might seriously consider mute swans for this group.

Mark Szantyr
Storrs, CT

On Jun 26, 2022, at 5:45 PM, andrew...@gmail.com <andrew...@gmail.com> wrote:

Sure they're not Mute Swans? Hard to tell without blowing up the photo, but the posture, heads and bill color look good for that species.

Andrew

On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 2:47:04 PM UTC-4 JMSmith wrote:
4 what i believe, are trumpeter swans are located at the north end of China Lake. I tried identifying my photo on Merlin and it did not come up with an answer.

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Re: [Maine-birds] Re: Trumpeter swans on China Lake

Mark Szantyr,

Instead of snarking that "Merlin is incredibly inaccurate" without offering any corroborating evidence, why don't you address the original poster's comment that

"clearly, the bills are not orange," as they should be for mute swan?

And for the record, I have no skin in this game beyond a concern for accuracy and fairness.

Jay Pendleton, Camden

On Sun, Jun 26, 2022 at 10:06 PM Mark Szantyr <birddog55@charter.net> wrote:

Merlin is incredibly inaccurate. Just sayin.

Mark Szantyr
Storrs, CT

On Jun 26, 2022, at 9:06 PM, JMSmith <jeanette.m.smith@gmail.com> wrote:

Based on this photo Merlin says Tundra swans. Clearly, the bills are not orange
On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 7:40:16 PM UTC-4 Birddog55 wrote:
I might seriously consider mute swans for this group.

Mark Szantyr
Storrs, CT

On Jun 26, 2022, at 5:45 PM, andrew...@gmail.com <andrew...@gmail.com> wrote:

Sure they're not Mute Swans? Hard to tell without blowing up the photo, but the posture, heads and bill color look good for that species.

Andrew

On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 2:47:04 PM UTC-4 JMSmith wrote:
4 what i believe, are trumpeter swans are located at the north end of China Lake. I tried identifying my photo on Merlin and it did not come up with an answer.

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[Maine-birds] More Stuttering White-throated Sparrows

Pardon the repeat. In early May I described encountering a white-throated sparrow with any unusual song intro: three pips before the usual "Old Sam Peabody." This was just west of the Allagash, and can be seen and heard at 3:40 of a YouTube video: https://youtu.be/41RdBz4CQeM.

While doing Maine Bird Atlas surveys north of Long Pond near Jackman, I encountered two more doing the same thing. This is distinct from the current interest in how the song is evolving. To wit, a couplet version is replacing the triplet version in sparrows to the west of us…ala "Oh Sweet Cana-Cana-Cana."

These Maine birds are stuttering into their songs, and I haven't encountered that anywhere else. Curious to know if others have heard it, and where.

Bob Duchesne

Virus-free. www.avast.com

Sunday 26 June 2022

Re: [Maine-birds] Re: Trumpeter swans on China Lake

Merlin is incredibly inaccurate. Just sayin.

Mark Szantyr

Storrs, CT

On Jun 26, 2022, at 9:06 PM, JMSmith <jeanette.m.smith@gmail.com> wrote:

Based on this photo Merlin says Tundra swans. Clearly, the bills are not orange
On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 7:40:16 PM UTC-4 Birddog55 wrote:
I might seriously consider mute swans for this group.

Mark Szantyr
Storrs, CT

On Jun 26, 2022, at 5:45 PM, andrew...@gmail.com <andrew...@gmail.com> wrote:

Sure they're not Mute Swans? Hard to tell without blowing up the photo, but the posture, heads and bill color look good for that species.

Andrew

On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 2:47:04 PM UTC-4 JMSmith wrote:
4 what i believe, are trumpeter swans are located at the north end of China Lake. I tried identifying my photo on Merlin and it did not come up with an answer.

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[Maine-birds] Scarborough Marsh Audubon Wednesday bird walks TIME CHANGE!!!

Hi all,

I just wanted to let people know that the bird walks that I have been leading at the Scarborough Marsh on Wednesday mornings will now begin at 8:00 a.m. starting this week on 6/29. This start time will remain throughout at least 2022. Hope to see some of you there!

Bird haahd,

Noah Gibb-Freeport

Re: [Maine-birds] Re: Trumpeter swans on China Lake

Also says Tundra swans based on this photo

On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 9:06:41 PM UTC-4 JMSmith wrote:

Based on this photo Merlin says Tundra swans. Clearly, the bills are not orange
On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 7:40:16 PM UTC-4 Birddog55 wrote:
I might seriously consider mute swans for this group.

Mark Szantyr
Storrs, CT

On Jun 26, 2022, at 5:45 PM, andrew...@gmail.com <andrew...@gmail.com> wrote:

Sure they're not Mute Swans? Hard to tell without blowing up the photo, but the posture, heads and bill color look good for that species.

Andrew

On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 2:47:04 PM UTC-4 JMSmith wrote:
4 what i believe, are trumpeter swans are located at the north end of China Lake. I tried identifying my photo on Merlin and it did not come up with an answer.

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Re: [Maine-birds] Re: Trumpeter swans on China Lake

Based on this photo Merlin says Tundra swans. Clearly, the bills are not orange

On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 7:40:16 PM UTC-4 Birddog55 wrote:

I might seriously consider mute swans for this group.

Mark Szantyr
Storrs, CT

On Jun 26, 2022, at 5:45 PM, andrew...@gmail.com <andrew...@gmail.com> wrote:

Sure they're not Mute Swans? Hard to tell without blowing up the photo, but the posture, heads and bill color look good for that species.

Andrew

On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 2:47:04 PM UTC-4 JMSmith wrote:
4 what i believe, are trumpeter swans are located at the north end of China Lake. I tried identifying my photo on Merlin and it did not come up with an answer.

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Re: [Maine-birds] Re: Trumpeter swans on China Lake

I might seriously consider mute swans for this group.

Mark Szantyr

Storrs, CT

On Jun 26, 2022, at 5:45 PM, andrew...@gmail.com <andrewblock7@gmail.com> wrote:

Sure they're not Mute Swans? Hard to tell without blowing up the photo, but the posture, heads and bill color look good for that species.

Andrew

On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 2:47:04 PM UTC-4 JMSmith wrote:
4 what i believe, are trumpeter swans are located at the north end of China Lake. I tried identifying my photo on Merlin and it did not come up with an answer.

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[Maine-birds] Re: Trumpeter swans on China Lake

I ruled out mute swans because they do not have an orange bill with a knob at the base. I was debating between Tundra and Trumpeter. The head and neck appear somewhat grayish as well. I have never seen swans on China Lzke before. Any swan experts out there?

On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 5:45:17 PM UTC-4 andrew...@gmail.com wrote:

Sure they're not Mute Swans? Hard to tell without blowing up the photo, but the posture, heads and bill color look good for that species.

Andrew

On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 2:47:04 PM UTC-4 JMSmith wrote:
4 what i believe, are trumpeter swans are located at the north end of China Lake. I tried identifying my photo on Merlin and it did not come up with an answer.

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Re: [Maine-birds] Re: Trumpeter swans on China Lake

Either way, thanks for the post with a picture.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 26, 2022, at 5:45 PM, andrew...@gmail.com <andrewblock7@gmail.com> wrote:

Sure they're not Mute Swans? Hard to tell without blowing up the photo, but the posture, heads and bill color look good for that species.

Andrew

On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 2:47:04 PM UTC-4 JMSmith wrote:
4 what i believe, are trumpeter swans are located at the north end of China Lake. I tried identifying my photo on Merlin and it did not come up with an answer.

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[Maine-birds] Re: Trumpeter swans on China Lake

Sure they're not Mute Swans? Hard to tell without blowing up the photo, but the posture, heads and bill color look good for that species.

Andrew

On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 2:47:04 PM UTC-4 JMSmith wrote:

4 what i believe, are trumpeter swans are located at the north end of China Lake. I tried identifying my photo on Merlin and it did not come up with an answer.

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[Maine-birds] third year of house wrens

We think the same pair as the previous two years, but these wrens have been busy in the garden bird box. Last year they raised two broods of three chicks each. This year we see only two babies...so far.

https://photosbychance.zenfolio.com/p432832521/h28305b70#h28305b70

Cheers,

Dave

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[Maine-birds] Trumpeter swans on China Lake

4 what i believe, are trumpeter swans are located at the north end of China Lake. I tried identifying my photo on Merlin and it did not come up with an answer.

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