[Maine-birds] This Week's Highlights, Irruptives, and Goose Fields Update, 11/17-23.

Hi all,

 

Here are some sightings of note from me over the past seven days:

~300 Horned Larks and ~100 Snow Buntings, Mayall Road, Gray/New Gloucester, 11/17 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk Group).

- 1 Winter Wren, The Nubble neighborhood, Cape Neddick, 11/18 (with York County Audubon field trip).

- 1 Hermit Thrush, Cherry Road, Ogunquit, 11/18 (with YCAS field trip).  Continuing on 11/20 (with Jeannette).

- 1 Hermit Thrush, Ogunquit Beach, 11/18 (with YCAS field trip).

- 2 Brown-headed Cowbirds, Rte 1, Wells, 11/18 (with YCAS field trip).  At least one bird still present on 11/20 (with Jeannette).

- 1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, Private property in Cape Elizabeth, 11/19 (with client).

- 47 Ruddy Ducks and 3 American Coots, Prout's Pond, Scarborough, 11/19 (with client).

-1 Winter Wren and 1 Hermit Thrush, Fort Foster, Kittery, 11/20 (with Jeannette).

- 2 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS and 6 American Pipits, Seapoint Beach, Kittery, 11/20 (with Jeannette; photos.).

- 1 Red Admiral, Marginal Way, Ogunquit, 11/20 (with Jeannette).

- 1 RUSTY BLACKBIRD, here at the store, 11/23.

 

And in the irruptives department:

- PINE GROSBEAKS were common and widespread throughout Cumberland County at least this week.  Some of my high counts include the previously reported 21 at the LL Bean headquarters in Freeport on 11/19 (with client), 18 here at the store on 11/21 (at least six continue through today), and 12 in downtown Yarmouth on 11/21.

- WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were common and widespread throughout the coastal plain, with some of the high counts including 15 at Ogunquit Beach on 11/18 (with YCAS field trip; photos and video at: http://www.facebook.com/Freeportwildbird) and 6+ at Two Lights State Park on 11/19 (with client).

- Common Redpolls were likewise widespread, but still in relatively small numbers.  My high counts this week were merely 8 at Mayall Road, Gray/New Gloucester, 11/17 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group) and 6 on private property in Cape Elizabeth, 11/19 (with client).

- The only Pine Siskin I encountered this week was a single bird continuing in our Pownal yard. 

- 1 Northern Shrike, Kennebunk Plains, 11/22 (with Jeannette).  

 

And finally, the goose fields update this week:

- 1 adult GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE found on 11/11 continues through at least 11/20.

- FIVE CACKLING GEESE, found at Thornhurst Farm on 11/16 (analysis of photos confirmed five birds were indeed present) continued through at least 11/19.  Three continue as of 11/23.

- Canada Goose high count this week: 889 on 11/23. Numbers decreased over the first half of the week, but then rebounded by week's end.

- A few Horned Larks and the occasional Eastern Bluebird continued in the various fields this week, and Pine Grosbeaks were frequently encountered while traveling between fields.

 

-Derek

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Jeannette and Derek Lovitch
Freeport Wild Bird Supply
541 Route One, Suite 10
Freeport, ME 04032
Ph: (207)865-6000/Fax: (207)865-6069
http://www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com/
Visit our E-store http://store.freeportwildbirdsupply.com/