Birds of Isle au Haut: Harlequin Duck Trip
Sponsored by the ISLAND HERITAGE TRUST
Hancock County Bar Harbor Airport, Hancock, US-ME
Mar 30, 2013 9:20 AM - 9:22 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.4 mile(s)
Comments: Four to Six Killdeer calling on the southern end of the runway near the entrance of the Hancock and Bar Harbor Airport. Windows open because it was 47 F and warming. March 30 will be a perfect day for a boat trip around Isle au Haut, the Thorofare, and the southern waterways and Islands. I have had many opportunities over the years to sail on both the southern and northern passages around Isle au Haut aboard the gaff rigged "Angelique" out of Camden. These harbors were and continue to be the fishing capital of the Down East Coast including Stonington where the trip leaves from today. Any opportunity to study the Gulf of Maine Archipelago of 4600 Islands and try to understand how the Gulf of Maine functions for birds. In January, we know there were thousands of Alcids utilizing the inter-coastal archipelago for food and protection from winter storms. From Northeast harbor to Mount Desert Rock we saw large numbers of Alcids. Today remnant populations.
1 species
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 5 4-6 calling at the airport entrance could be heard clearly from the moving van with windows open
Isle Au Haut Ferry dock Stonington, Maine, Hancock, US-ME
Mar 30, 2013 10:40 AM - 11:00 AM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments: Checking out some of the Birds of Stonington. House Finch was loudly calling.
9 species
Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) 73
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) 5
Common Loon (Gavia immer) 2
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 1
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 50
Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle) 3
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 12
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 1 calling for almost the whole 20 minutes and beyond
Western side of Isle Au Haut Island Heritage Trust March 30 2013, Knox, US-ME
Mar 30, 2013 12:00 PM - 1:20 PM
Protocol: Traveling
8.0 mile(s)
Comments: This Island Heritage Trust Harlequin Duck trip stayed on the outside of Merchant island to Kimball Island moving south from Robinson's Point to Western Ear. Purple Sandpipers were one of the highlights followed by Harlequin Ducks along the wilderness of the western side of Isle au Haut. Here the Alcids were represented by Black Guillemot and seven Razorbills. We found no Murre or Atlantic Puffin in contrast to our January trip. Is there any accurate monitoring of Stonington south in January?
20 species
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) 3
Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) 113
Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) 45 This trip was intended to locate, count and educate people about Harlequin Duck and the habitat and locations that they live their lives. Amazing at the number and we can only hope for enhanced Ecological Systems where they are allowed to thrive.
Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) 31 Larger mixed flocks
White-winged Scoter (Melanitta fusca) 26
Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) 34
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) 17
Common Loon (Gavia immer) 35
Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) 1
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) 2
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) 1
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 3
Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima) 245
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 1
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 5
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 2
Razorbill (Alca torda) 7
Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle) 40
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) 12
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 2
Isle Au Haut South Eastern Shore March 30 2013, Knox, US-ME
Mar 30, 2013 1:20 PM - 2:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.7 mile(s)
Comments: These birds were recorded from the South Eastern shore of Isle Au Haut where we found the largest concentrations of Harlequin Duck. The first environment cue that we were in open waters came when the temperature dropped noticeably and there was a stinging bit to the Northwesterly wind. The colder waters should in principle, be biologically rich and teaming with food. Participants had an opportunity to see the differences in species composition between these outer waters and the Thorofare, for example. This is where I had hoped to find some Common or Thick-billed Murre. None were found but there were healthy numbers of Guillemot, Red-breasted Merganser and Harlequin Duck. We did have one Northern Gannet but only brief looks at a juvenile wing before it disappeared from sight.
11 species
Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) 25
Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) 61 This is an accurate count of the birds seen along the shoreline of Isle Au Haut.
Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) 18
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) 4
Common Loon (Gavia immer) 5
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) 5 very good looks at the white flanks and guttural sacs of this large Cormorant
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 1 one adult bird seen several times
Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima) 21
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 3
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 60
Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle) 54 This data was counted birds in the region of the South eastern
Stonington Isle au Haut Thorofare, Hancock, US-ME
Mar 30, 2013 2:13 AM - 2:58 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.5 mile(s)
Comments: Having worked the eastern side of Isle Au Haut we were than taken through the Thorofare on the return trip to Stonington Pier. This area was surveyed and reported here.
18 species
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) 1
Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) 124
Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) 2
Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) 8
White-winged Scoter (Melanitta fusca) 10
Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) 25
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) 15
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) 7
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) 5
Common Loon (Gavia immer) 9
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) 1 flying fast over the water some people got images
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 1
Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima) 9 At the tip of Kimball Island
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 2
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 45
Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle) 27
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 2
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 2
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President Down East Nature Tours
Founder and Director Research and Development
15th Acadia Birding Festival, May 30 – June 2 2013
Co-founder Penobscot Watershed Eco Center
39 COTTAGE STREET
Bar Harbor, Maine 04609
207-288-8128 / 207-479-4256
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