[Maine-birds] Christina Reservoir, Fort Fairfield: American Coot, Short-billed Dowitchers, Red-necked Grebe, Ruddy Ducks

In preparation of the Aroostook Birders' outing to Lake Jo and Christina planned for this Saturday, I checked the Reservoir this AM.  Despite the gloomy skies, the pond was hopping with bird activity.

Most impressive were the waterfowl with more than a couple thousand molting ducks and geese present.  Low water levels have forced these birds out of the cattails and into the open.  Ring-necked Ducks, Mallards and American Wigeon dominated the mix but a handful of drake Ruddy Ducks and Gadwall, Shovelers and others were in the rafts.

A Red-necked Grebe and lots of Pied-billed Grebes were fun to see.  American Coots continue to be seen here along the north shore but you need a scope and patience.

The bare mud has begun to attract shorebirds and I expect to see the numbers build quickly. A first-of-season flock of Short-billed Dowitchers buzzed the pond for a while but they couldn't talk themselves into landing...

Here's the list. 

Bill

Christina Res., Aroostook, US-ME
Aug 1, 2012 7:05 AM - 8:10 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.6 mile(s)

57 species

Canada Goose  30
Wood Duck  25     eclipse plumage drakes
Gadwall  30
American Wigeon  290     molting with RNDU and MALL
American Black Duck  15
Mallard  650     molting adults primarily
Northern Shoveler  3     juvies
Green-winged Teal (American)  13
Ring-necked Duck  1300     irrigation withdrawal lowered H2o level.  Many mostly drakes seen
Hooded Merganser  5
Ruddy Duck  5     males
Common Loon  9     eight adults one juvie
Pied-billed Grebe  71     counted.  about 50% juvies
Red-necked Grebe  1     ratty breeding plumage,  associating with many PB grebes
Bald Eagle  1     adult
Red-tailed Hawk  1     one in the northern fields
American Kestrel  2     adult female and fledgling
Virginia Rail  1
American Coot  2     adults no juvies seen
Semipalmated Plover  2
Killdeer  8
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Solitary Sandpiper  2
Least Sandpiper  2     two adults
Short-billed Dowitcher  19     first of season,  Flock flew around west end of pond for 20 min and left
Wilson's Snipe  1
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull  1
Common Tern  4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Belted Kingfisher  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Hairy Woodpecker  1

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2

Alder Flycatcher  9
Eastern Kingbird  12
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  5
American Crow  9

Common Raven  1
Barn Swallow  2

Black-capped Chickadee  4
Hermit Thrush  1
American Robin  15

Gray Catbird  1

European Starling  40
Cedar Waxwing  4
Northern Waterthrush  5     several males singing, juvies
Common Yellowthroat  5
Yellow Warbler  7     some juvies.  Males mostly quiet some singing

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  1

Savannah Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  80     probably more, many juvies.  seemed to be everywhere.  some singing males
Swamp Sparrow  20     many in the marsh.  some males still singing
Red-winged Blackbird  10

Common Grackle  22 

--
Bill Sheehan
Woodland, Aroostook Co., Maine
http://northernmainebirds.blogspot.com/

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