Maine-birds is an email forum devoted to the discussion of birds and birding in the state of Maine. The primary function of the list is to provide an efficient means of reporting wild bird sightings in the state.
Friday, 29 December 2023
Re: [Maine-birds] HEPATIC TANAGER - Stockton Springs, 29 Dec
> On Dec 29, 2023, at 5:56 PM, 'Doug Hitchcox' via Maine birds <maine-birds@googlegroups.com> wrote:
>
> Passing along a few notes after talking with Tom Aversa about the HEPATIC TANAGER he found today (29 Dec) in Stockton Springs (https://ebird.org/me/checklist/S157436845). This bird was seen at the south end of Station Street, which is the road. You'll see there is an Eagle Way and Alps Road at the end, but these are basically the driveways of the folks that live down there, so do not park in them or block those drives. It is also worth noting that the railroad there is still active, and posted, so beware that birding from the track is illegal. And to state the obvious, please beware of your presence in this quiet neighborhood. Tom did talk to a couple of the homeowners already, but please be respectful to the locals and their property.
>
> Good birding,
>
> Doug Hitchcox
> Maine Audubon - Staff Naturalist
>
> --
> Maine birds mailing list
> maine-birds@googlegroups.com
> http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
> https://sites.google.com/site/birding207
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/93C99EA9-EE63-4E6B-86D9-9E09B18FE9B9%40mac.com.
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/1359B105-5360-491B-BCF7-4DFCA85D15DB%40mac.com.
[Maine-birds] HEPATIC TANAGER - Stockton Springs, 29 Dec
Good birding,
Doug Hitchcox
Maine Audubon - Staff Naturalist
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/93C99EA9-EE63-4E6B-86D9-9E09B18FE9B9%40mac.com.
Thursday, 28 December 2023
[Maine-birds] Pine Warbler
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/3BF0BDE6-A5F7-4042-A382-1518DDF920D7%40gmail.com.
Wednesday, 27 December 2023
[Maine-birds] White-capped chickadee
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/57944FAA-3FF9-475B-B762-5BE3DEACB68F%40gmail.com.
Tuesday, 26 December 2023
[Maine-birds] How should I obscure a game bird location?
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/CAGrfj-ugz4QZguAmtKurwKyT5ihoRmEtv2SshLjihRJkRx1PBQ%40mail.gmail.com.
Monday, 25 December 2023
[Maine-birds] MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND REPORT
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT - MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND - 2023
Name of area: MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND
Sky & precipitation: MAINLY SUNNY; ZERO PRECIPITATION
Ground & water conditions: BARE GROUND; FRESH & SALT WATER UNFROZEN WATER FROZEN.
Date: DEC. 25th; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Temp: +6°C to +9°C.
Wind direction: WSW @ 3 knots to 8 Knots (3mph / 6kmph to 7mph / 13kmph)
Total participants: 01 (01 field observers in 01 field parties, plus 01 persons at 01 feeders).
Total party-hours: 09 hrs. (03 hrs. on foot; 0 hrs. motorized; 06 hrs. point observations.)
Total party travel = 3.5 kilometers (3.5 km on foot, 0 km by car.)
Compiler: RALPH ELDRIDGE
07 Canada Goose
11 Great Black-backed Gull
01 Dovekie
01 Atlantic Puffin
04 Common Murre
07 Common Eider
516 Razorbill
09 Black Guillemot
63 Harlequin Duck
27 Surf Scoter
02 White-winged Scoter
01 Black Scoter
37 Long-tailed Duck
11 Red-breasted Merganser
02 Red-throated Loon
05 Common Loon
06 Northern Gannet
03 Double Crested Cormorant
19 Great Cormorant
483 Black-legged Kittiwake
01 Ring-billed Gull
268 Herring Gull
10 Iceland Gull
04 Glaucous Gull
02 Common Raven
01 Peregrine Falcon
04 Bald Eagle
72 Purple Sandpiper
03 Snow Bunting
03 Song Sparrow
01 White-throated Sparrow
02 European Starling
02 Dark-eyed Junco
01 COMMON GRACKLE (CW)
01 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (CW)
01 NORTHERN FULMAR (CW)
07 AMERICAN GOLDFINCH (CW)
Totals: 1588 individuals of 33 species on count day plus 4 additional species during count week & period.
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/77fd8921-272e-464e-a810-1d1c5d908762n%40googlegroups.com.
Saturday, 23 December 2023
[Maine-birds] Lew/Aub CBC - 12/17/23
The Stanton Bird Club conducted its 44th Christmas Bird Count of the Lewiston and Auburn area on Sunday, December 17th. In total, 20 people participated (including 1 feeder watcher) and recorded 47 species; the average since 2000 is 48. The evening following the count, and the next day (Monday 12/18/23) brought excessive rainfall, high winds and flooding. The high winds and poor conditions drove several Dovekies (aka "Little Auk") inland. Count week includes two Dovekies found in the Lewiston/Auburn CBC circle, as well as 2 Ruddy ducks. One Dovekie and the Ruddy ducks were found by Dana Little on Taylor Pond in Auburn, the other Dovekie was recorded by Danny Danforth on Sabattus Pond.
New Highs: Greater Scaup and White-throated Sparrow.
Low Counts: Common Goldeneye, Wild Turkey, Mourning Dove, Starlings, House Finch, American Tree Sparrow.
Above Average: Greater Scaup, Common Merganser, Common Loon, Bald Eagle, American Crow, Eastern Bluebird, American Goldfinch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow.
Irruptive: Purple Finch
Trending: Red-bellied Woodpeckers were seen for the 13th consecutive year and Eastern Bluebirds have become more reliable winter residents this past decade. Peregrine Falcons have continued on the spires of the Gendron Franco Center (old St. Mary's church).
Notables: Both a White-winged Scoter and Red-necked Grebe were spotted on Lake Auburn on count day. A Merlin was along the power lines at St Peter's Cemetery in Lewiston. A Ruffed Grouse pair were seen briefly in Auburn.
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/CAEjibSPU2%3D2t-sb32SKeLzQjo8iNCmA4TGdtFjpVCe%2B4KCUEmA%40mail.gmail.com.
[Maine-birds] Recent Highlights, 12/16-23
*****************************************
Derek and Jeannette Lovitch
Freeport Wild Bird Supply
541 Route One, Suite 10
Freeport, ME 04032
207-865-6000
www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com
****************************************
Friday, 22 December 2023
[Maine-birds] Another oriole-saco
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/PH0PR84MB152822980175886042796EEC9C94A%40PH0PR84MB1528.NAMPRD84.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM.
[Maine-birds] Re: Auburn Dovekie
Here is my report on the dovekie.I got a call at about 11 this morning from Gary Jarvis. He and Camden Martin were at Martin's point watching a dovekie in the middle of the lake.I drove over and met them at Riley Rd. We watched the dovekie swim toward the beach at the south end of the lake. Then we drove over there and saw it come right up to the shore. It proceeded to head West along the beach and then the rocks. At this point Gary and Camden left. I watched it continue along the rocks - behaving more like a wood duck - and enter the small triangle of water at the SW corner of the lake. I drove over there and watched it continue to the very SW corner of that area and try to swim right up to the pipe that was pouring water from the wetland across the street into the triangular area. The dovekie spent 15 minutes in a futile attempt to swim right up to the pipe, occasionally diving to try to go further, I was afraid it was going to exhaust itself. Finally it floated back and off to the side and just sat there and rested. That's when I took the attached photo.I never thought I would get that close to a dovekie.Thanks to Dana Little, Gary Jarvis and Camden Martin for their help.DannyOn Tue, Dec 19, 2023 at 1:06 PM Stan DeOrsey <jsmd@att.net> wrote:I understand Danny Danforth had a Dovekie this morning at Sabattus Pond.
Sabattus Pond had been frozen but perhaps parts opened. Clearly this is
related to the storm yesterday so get out and look anywhere there is
water. Thanks again, Dana, for letting us know about both of these
sightings.
Dana Little found a DOVEKIE this morning on Taylor Pond, and got a great
photo. See https://ebird.org/me/checklist/S156675229 for the photo and
directions. Most unusual, a first for Androscoggin County.
--
Stan DeOrsey jsmd@att.net
--Loring M. DanforthCharles A. Dana Professor of Anthropology EmeritusBates College446 College St.Lewiston, ME 04240
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/CADF0moHXinqJToym%2BaWboqbU0mQmn2HRNYMvwp5ozDEGFLoEPg%40mail.gmail.com.
Tuesday, 19 December 2023
[Maine-birds] Re: Auburn Dovekie
I understand Danny Danforth had a Dovekie this morning at Sabattus Pond.
Sabattus Pond had been frozen but perhaps parts opened. Clearly this is
related to the storm yesterday so get out and look anywhere there is
water. Thanks again, Dana, for letting us know about both of these
sightings.
Dana Little found a DOVEKIE this morning on Taylor Pond, and got a great
photo. See https://ebird.org/me/checklist/S156675229 for the photo and
directions. Most unusual, a first for Androscoggin County.
--
Stan DeOrsey jsmd@att.net
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/CADF0moEbvmMnAN6%2BfwyHT2TeaS_z0TSsmiHgRJx6fOXCn13zpw%40mail.gmail.com.
Monday, 18 December 2023
[Maine-birds] Northern Flicker, Belted Kingfisher, Basin Pt. Rd., Harpswell, ME 12/17/23
Biology Department
Saint Anselm College
Manchester, NH 03102
https://www.anselm.edu/about/campus-directory/jay-pitocchelli
Blog: http://mourningwarbler.blogspot.com/
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/6fe55160-724a-4961-a775-fcdb51f2500dn%40googlegroups.com.
Saturday, 16 December 2023
[Maine-birds] Northern Harrier male, Basin Cove, Harpswell, ME 12/16/23
Biology Department
Saint Anselm College
Manchester, NH 03102
https://www.anselm.edu/about/campus-directory/jay-pitocchelli
Blog: http://mourningwarbler.blogspot.com/
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/4d98f19e-fb52-4fba-87f7-93d17f7e90a8n%40googlegroups.com.
Friday, 15 December 2023
[Maine-birds] This Week's Highlights, 12/9-15
*****************************************
Derek and Jeannette Lovitch
Freeport Wild Bird Supply
541 Route One, Suite 10
Freeport, ME 04032
207-865-6000
www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com
****************************************
Thursday, 14 December 2023
[Maine-birds] MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND REPORT
Nothing too surprising happening, just the early winter transitions.
There are still a fair number of large gulls around but the mix now includes a few ICELAND GULLS and occasional GLAUCOUS GULLS.
HERRING GULLS are significantly fewer and well into their winter plumage.
GREAT BLACK BACKED GULLS are notably scarce, while KITTIWAKES are dispersed throughout the area, with periodic concentrated foraging 'round about the island.
GREAT CORMORANTS are about their expected winter normal; that is to say singletons and handfuls scattered around daily, feeding and roosting, but no real flocks.
DOUBLE CREASTED CORMORANTS are only occasionally seen.
A COMMON LOON or two can usually be found around the island, along with just a handful of COMMON EIDERS.
ALCIDS are seen daily scattered in the tide runs some distance offshore. Undoubtedly the bulk are RAZORBILLS but there should be some MURRES and perhaps the odd PUFFIN.
HARLIQUIN DUCKS are around in expected numbers with somewhere near 50 haunting the island waters and feeding in all the usual locations.
This season's cohort don't seem to have any favoured roosting locations and take their ease wherever is most handy.
I've seen EAGLES every day that the weather has been decent. Also 4 other raptors, with 2 PEREGRINES here together on Tuesday. The other 2 individuals were not identified for certain but one may have been a light phase ROUGH LEGGED HAWK.
At this time of years, we get the late migrants, stragglers and want-to-be winter residents, pretty much like the Mainland, with a couple variations.
As I've mentioned on previous occasions, our only breeding songbird is the SAVANAH SPARROW, but none of them overwinter. Instead, a very few SONG SPARROWS try to stay each winter. They are the only songbirds that even try to stay, in spite of the fact that they never summer here.
I've seen as few as 3 to 6 individuals try to overwinter in low years. As many as 20 have lingered in recent years.
Most years, they were lucky if any survived until spring. However, as the number that is staying increases, the survival percentage seems to be increasing, too.
But here's the wrinkle. This year there are no Song Sparrows at all. There were a couple WHITE THROATED SPARROWS last week but they appear to have departed.
There are three STARLINGS, three JUNCOS and one GRACKLE, all of which I expect to fade away as the winter deepens.
The Grackle is a bit of an outlier, though, because it is likely the same bird that's been on the island since September.
Stragglers often seem to have slightly odd traits and these guys are no exception. The Juncos barely touch the abundent White Mlllet and the Starlings completely ignore the suet cakes.
The population of PURPLE SANDPIPERS seems about low normal with about 3 dozen sprinkled around the shoreline. As usual, singles or handfuls make incursions to the lawns to forage among the buildings. There were 8 to 10 under our solar panels all day Monday, searching the puddles and unfrozen ground during the heavy wind and rain.
Also storm-driven to the lawn was a lone CANADA GOOSE, which, thankfully, departed by nightfall Monday. Nonetheless, it had time to leave lots of calling cards, requiring a wash down of the helicopter pad and adjacent boardwalk.
The star of the storm wasn't apparent until Tuesday, with the appearance of a grounded DOVEKIE. It was a juvenile and uninjured so it made haste for the open water when I tossed it at the shore.
This was only the 2nd Dovekie that I've seen on the island in 27 years and the other one was dead.
We only rarely see them on the water or flying past.
I know how they get stranded, often far inland, but grounding on such a tiny bit of land seems highly unusual.
Where this fella was found, no storm puddles form, there are no nearby lights and he could fly over the land, water to water in literally 5 seconds or less.
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/f84ac029-1484-437d-8664-e7cc3d1800bdn%40googlegroups.com.
Sunday, 10 December 2023
[Maine-birds] Great Blue Heron at Brownfield Bog
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/CABipT0xbNvC1mX0PqmB%3DgBdrF3oZN99LZq3pACGt82Dj2ujMKQ%40mail.gmail.com.
Friday, 8 December 2023
[Maine-birds] Golden Eagle
Very cooperative Golden Eagle flew directly overhead on the Stud Mill Road, midway between Milford and Princeton. (Past Alligator Lake, before Fifth Machias). It was lazily flying along the powerline adjacent to the road, so I was able to follow, get lots of looks, and video.
Somehow, I always forget how much dihedral is in their wings while soaring – so much more like a vulture than a bald eagle.
Bob Duchesne
[Maine-birds] Recent Highlights, etc, 11/26-12/8.
*****************************************
Derek and Jeannette Lovitch
Freeport Wild Bird Supply
541 Route One, Suite 10
Freeport, ME 04032
207-865-6000
www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com
****************************************
Thursday, 7 December 2023
[Maine-birds] Baltimore Oriole-Saco
Sharon in Saco
--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/PH0PR84MB1528AF309BAC036C21C661F99C8BA%40PH0PR84MB1528.NAMPRD84.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM.
Monday, 4 December 2023
[Maine-birds] Isles of Shoals Christmas Bird Count 2023/2024
All,
Weather permitting Isles of Shoals CBC will be held aboard UNH R/V Gulf Challenger on one weekday during the CBC count period (December 13-14, December 27-29 or January 1-5). As this trip is incredibly weather dependent, I'm hoping the 10 day window will give us at least one day. We probably won't know the final date until a few days before the trip sails. We will be landing (conditions permitting) on Star Island, NH and we will also spend time looking for pelagic birds in the circle. We will be chumming for seabirds as well. Previous trips have had good success at finding Snowy Owls, sea ducks (including Harlequin Ducks), Black-legged Kittiwakes, and alcids.
The price of the trip will depend on participation, but I anticipate it being between 70 and 90 dollars per person. By filling out the form below, there's no obligation to attend the trip, you're just asking to be called about the trip the night before when I finally decide on a sail date.
We will leave the Coastal Marine Lab pier in New Castle at 8 am and will return around 1 pm. Please inform others who may be interested.
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/CAKJhkON_bwSLqNpVUhUJkq-4VDa8-aRTA8s2m%3DT-NWvDxPot-A%40mail.gmail.com.
[Maine-birds] snow buntings
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?—Mary Oliver