[Maine-birds] This Week's Highlights, Irruptives, and Goose Fields Update, 12/1-7

Hi all,

Just a few sightings of note from me in the past seven days:

- 8 Ruddy Turnstones, 58 Dunlin, and 1 Purple Sandpiper, Winslow Park, Freeport, 12/1 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk Group).

- 2 Hermit Thrushes and 1 Carolina Wren continue, private property in Portland, 12/3.

- A few photos of the Winterport TOWNSEND'S WARBLER that I took on 12/5 can be viewed here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/freeportwildbird/8253472998/in/set-72157625893018447.

- 48 Red-necked Grebes, mouth of the Ducktrap River, Lincolnville, 12/5 (with Kristen Lindquist).

 

And in the irruptives department:

- PINE GROSBEAKS continue to be widespread.  I'm seeing them daily here in Freeport and Yarmouth, but in small groups.  My highest count was 17 in two flocks along Rte 1 in Belfast on the 5th (with Kristen Lindquist) and 8 on Rte 88 in Yarmouth on 12/7 (with Chris Borg).

- A flightly stronger pulse of Common Redpolls moved into my area this week, but my high count was merely 12 along Greely Road in Cumberland on the 6th.

- I noticed a considerable uptick in American Goldfinches this week, led by 75+ along the Eastern Promenade in Portland on 12/3, but for the first time in at least a month, I did not see a White-winged Crossbill this week.

 

And finally, the goose fields update this week:

- 1 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE continues since it arrived on 12/1, present at Thornhurst through 12/7 (with Chris Borg).

- Personally, I have only seen two CACKLING GEESE on all three of my visits this week, always at Thornhurst Farm, including the afternoon of 12/7 (with Chris Borg)

- 1 adult and 1 juvenile SNOW GEESE continue since their arrival on 12/1, also at Thornhurst on 12/7 with Chris Borg.  Here's a photo of the twosome from 12/6: http://www.flickr.com/photos/freeportwildbird/8253473270/in/set-72157625893020187

- Canada Goose numbers remained fairly constant this week, with a high count of 623 on 12/6.

- Once again, I encountered small numbers of Pine Grosbeaks while driving the loop through the fields each time this week. 

- 2 Snow Buntings and 4 Eastern Bluebirds were at Thornhurst Farm on the 6th. 

 

-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/
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