A Short-eared Owl was picked up by the Me DIF&W in the Mouse Island section of Perham last Wednesday. Sadly, it died in transit to Avian Haven. A post mortem examination by Diane and Marc showed no broken bones or other injuries but it was severely emaciated.
Sixteen American Golden-Plovers were found feeding in a very large potato field in northern Fort Fairfield on the 14th. The birds (all juvies) were scattered out over several hundred yards and were feeding near a flock of Canada Geese and 50+ Horned Larks. Apparently grounded by a steady southern breeze, these were the latest I've seen in Aroostook County.
A flock of 16 Snow Geese was feeding with a couple hundred Canada Geese in a field of corn stubble in Frenchville near the St John River on Sunday. Another lone, adult Snow has been seen for several days this week in Mapleton and Washburn.
Lots of migrant gulls have showed up in the county. Rare for this neck of the woods, a Lesser Black-backed Gull was seen among a flock of 200+ gulls bathing at Collins Pond in Caribou on the evening of the 12th
While looking for some early Snow Buntings or Rough-legged Hawks in northwestern corner of Cross Lake Twp, I happened on one of the single biggest flocks of Horned Larks I've ever encountered up here. The birds were trading back and forth across the road from one field to another and were impossible count even when they were on the ground. My estimate is about 1,300 individuals were present. The entire flock flushed several times when vehicles passed and I tried to get photos and video but had no luck. I also couldn't find any other unusual species among the birdy mass.
Other interesting observations made this week were a couple White-winged Scoters seen on Christina Reservoir on the 15th and a Red-necked Grebe, two Red-breasted Mergansers and a Lesser Scaup on Long Lake in St. Agatha on the 14th. Late-ish Merlins were reported from Presque Isle and Hersey. Fox and White-crowned Sparrows are still being seen among all the White-throats and Dark-eyed Juncos in my yard in Woodland. Small numbers of Evening Grosbeaks are showing up and joining the Pine Siskins and Purple Finches at many northern feeders now.
Good Birding
Bill
-- Bill Sheehan
Woodland, Aroostook Co., Maine
http://northernmainebirds.blogspot.com/
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