[Maine-birds] RE: (Maine Birds) Mount Desert Island and Down East Birds: Roseate, Arctic and Common Tern, Common Murre, Atlantic Puffin and many Razorbills. Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Magnolia Warbler at sea.

Mount Desert Island and Down East Birds: Roseate, Arctic and Common Tern, Common Murre, Atlantic Puffin and many Razorbills.  Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Magnolia Warbler at sea.

Road Scholar May 21 2013 Petit Manan, Washington, US-ME
May 21, 2013 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments:     Road Scholar Down East Ornithology Course May 21 2013.  Today's trips took us to Petit Manan for a preliminary spring survey.  There are student interns on the island already, who we talked to by phone, getting the early scoop on who is around and some of the players that have already arrived. Tern numbers were only about 500 and we saw and heard Arctic, Common and a Roseate Tern who gave us an excellent flyby showing the elongated tail and much white tail and wings compared to the Common and Arctic. Many Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills are at the Island. We also found a good number of Razorbills along our transect coming to the Island.  One Common Murre was found and seen by several of the group but we lost sight of it and did not relocate.
19 species

Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)  35
Common Loon (Gavia immer)  5     flyby of 4 adults
Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus)  4
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)  16
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)  1     This guy flew by the Island and continued north on Southeasterly winds....(cold)
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla)  1     seen in the scope
Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima)  2
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)  4     these are low number typical for early spring /summer.
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  75
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)  20
Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii)  1     really good diagnostic looks at the elongated white tail and body compared to Arctic and Common. Most everyone had a chance to see all three species.
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)  350     Flights around the boat allow us to decipher some of the particulars of flight pattern and calling between Arctic  and Common.
Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea)  18     These were birds that were clearly Arctic.  The weather was foggy and difficult to see anything far away.
Common Murre (Uria aalge)  1
Razorbill (Alca torda)  7     We saw more on the open water before we got here. The numbers were low here but we did have a few nice flyby's.
Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle)  55     Right around Petit Manan there were many birds  flying in and surrounding the Island
Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica)  120
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  1     As we approached Petit Manan a RTHU  came towards the boat directly in front of me for an easy ID. It then turned and seemed to go out to sea... no pics but everyone saw the bird.
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  3
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14198744

Road Scholar May 21 2013 Travel from Petit Manan, Hancock, US-ME
May 21, 2013 1:20 PM - 3:20 PM
Protocol: Traveling
18.0 mile(s)
Comments:     Road Scholar Down East Ornithology May 21 2013  Return trip from Petit Manan. Red-throated Loon was seen very well in flight with the lowered head in flight of this immature bird. We have excellent pictures of this bird
10 species (+1 other taxa)

White-winged Scoter (Melanitta fusca)  7     a very nice flock which took off for excellent observation of wing bars
Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata)  1     Excellent photos of this bird were taken
Common Loon (Gavia immer)  4
Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus)  3
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)  1
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  350     The vast majority were located on Egg Rock
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)  2
Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea)  1     Flying with a fish close to the Starfish Enterprise
Sterna sp. (Sterna sp.)  9
Razorbill (Alca torda)  9
Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle)  35
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14198839

Road Scholar May 21 2013 Travel to Petit Manan, Hancock, US-ME
May 21, 2013 9:25 AM - 11:25 AM
Protocol: Traveling
19.0 mile(s)
Comments:     Road Scholar Down East Maine Ornithology course May 21 2013 Travel to Petit Manan  We counted a total of 38 Harbor Porpoise including one BREACHING  Harbor Porpoise completely out of the water.
13 species

White-winged Scoter (Melanitta fusca)  5     seen flying northeast and photos taken for identification
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)  2
Common Loon (Gavia immer)  7
Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus)  2     4th year and 2nd year birds  at 10:38 am near Schoodic Point
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)  12
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  1     about a 2nd year Juvi
Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima)  3     seen on Bald Porcupine
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)  1
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  400
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)  15
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)  5
Razorbill (Alca torda)  7     The first two we saw were just behind Egg Rock out to Petit Manan.  Many seen along the transect to PM.
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)  1     This bird approached the boat from the stern and was seen by Bob. We got the cameras out and recorded this bird which appeared to want to land on the boat but that veered towards the mainland.  Totally unexpected bird with some excellent photos near the boat over the water.
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14202944

Road Scholar May 21 2013 College of the Atlantic, Hancock, US-ME
May 21, 2013 9:15 AM - 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.2 mile(s)
Comments:     Road Scholar Down East ornithology Course May 21, 2013  The Campus was was jumping with birds this morning with a great mixed flock of warblers down at the COA pier where we were meeting Captain Eddie and Edith  Monat and the Starfish Enterprise for a coastal birding trip to Petit Manan Island.
10 species

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  2
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)  1
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  2
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  2
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  3
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)  1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  2
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus)  1     on campus as we were walking past Turrets.
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  1
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14202769

Road Scholar Eagle Lake Overlook May 21 2013, Hancock, US-ME
May 21, 2013 7:27 PM - 7:37 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments:     Road Scholar Down East Ornithology course May 21, 2013.   Cadillac Mountain stop along a very quiet loop road. The sun is setting and we actually see some sun after a long day of coastal Maine fog. The mountain was excellent tonight with an opportunity to study some late day calls around the mountain.
5 species

Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  1     calling
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)  2
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  2
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)  3
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14203001

Road Scholar May 21, 2013 Cadillac Mountain, Hancock, US-ME
May 21, 2013 7:45 PM - 8:55 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.3 mile(s)
Comments:     Road Scholar May 21 2013  Cadillac Mountain.  American Woodcock gave us the Woodcock mating flight show which was the first for many of the Road Scholars. So happy to show them this amazing event of spring right up at the highest point on MDI.  The female response call was heard again. Wondering if there is a recording of the female?? FOG and COOL kept the birds down but we managed a few good ones.
7 species

American Woodcock (Scolopax minor)  3 A secret location at the top
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)  3
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  3
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  2
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)  1
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  3
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)  2
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14203065

Road Scholar Down East Maine Ornithology:  Species Totals as of May 21 2013

Report Details Date range: May 19, 2013 - May 25, 2013 Total # of Species: 69 Total # of Checklists: 13 Location(s):   Acadia NP--Sieur de Monts Spring; Acadia National Park The Tarn; George Dorr Old Farm Acadia National Park; Mount Desert Island High School; Otter Cove access Road ; Otter Point ; Road Scholar Eagle Lake Overlook May 21 2013; Road Scholar May 21 2013 College of the Atlantic; Road Scholar May 21 2013 Petit Manan; Road Scholar May 21 2013 Travel to Petit Manan; Road Scholar May 21 2013 Travelfrom Petit Manan; Road Scholar May 21, 2013 Cadillac Mountain; Shore Path Bar Harbor   Summary   May 19 May 20 May 21 Number of Species 15 41 41 Number of Individuals 141 192 1,644 Number of Checklists 1 6 6   Total Number of Birds   (sample size) Species Name May 19 May 20 May 21 Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) -- 6 (1) -- Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) -- 2 (1) -- Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) -- 13 (1) -- Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) 28 (1) -- 35 (1) White-winged Scoter (Melanitta fusca) -- -- 12 (2) Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) -- 1 (1) 2 (1) Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata) -- -- 1 (1) Common Loon (Gavia immer) -- 3 (1) 16 (3) Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) -- -- 9 (3) Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 10 (1) -- 28 (2) Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) -- 1 (1) 1 (1) Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 1 (1) -- 1 (1) Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) -- 2 (1) -- Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) -- -- 1 (1) Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima) -- -- 5 (2) American Woodcock (Scolopax minor) -- -- 3 (1) Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) -- -- 6 (3) Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 1 (1) -- -- Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 60 (1) 19 (4) 825 (3) Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) -- -- 35 (2) Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) -- -- 1 (1) Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) -- -- 357 (3) Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) -- -- 19 (2) Sterna sp. (Sterna sp.) -- -- 9 (1) Common Murre (Uria aalge) -- -- 1 (1) Razorbill (Alca torda) -- -- 23 (3) Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle) 6 (1) -- 90 (2) Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) -- -- 120 (1) Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) 12 (1) -- -- Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 1 (1) -- -- Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) -- 1 (1) 1 (1) Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) -- 1 (1) -- Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) -- -- 1 (1) Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) -- 2 (2) -- Merlin (Falco columbarius) -- 1 (1) -- Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) -- 2 (1) -- Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) -- 2 (2) 2 (1) American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 8 (1) 11 (3) 4 (2) Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) -- 9 (1) -- Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) -- 7 (1) -- Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 2 (1) 12 (3) -- Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) -- 1 (1) -- White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) -- 2 (1) -- Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis) -- 2 (2) -- Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) -- 8 (2) 1 (1) Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) -- 1 (1) 5 (2) American Robin (Turdus migratorius) -- 6 (2) 4 (2) European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 5 (1) -- -- Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) -- -- 2 (1) Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) -- 1 (1) -- Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) -- 7 (2) 2 (1) American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) -- 1 (1) 2 (1) Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) -- 9 (2) 3 (1) Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) -- 3 (1) 2 (2) Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) -- 1 (1) -- Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 1 (1) 1 (1) 2 (1) Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) -- -- 1 (1) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) -- 26 (3) -- Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) 1 (1) 8 (4) -- Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) -- -- 1 (1) Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) -- 1 (1) -- Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 3 (1) 7 (2) 1 (1) Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) -- 3 (1) -- White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) -- 2 (1) 5 (2) Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) -- 2 (1) 5 (2) Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 2 (1) -- -- Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) -- 2 (1) -- Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) -- 2 (1) -- American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) -- 1 (1) --

 

Michael J. Good, MS
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

info@DownEastNatureTours.com
www.DownEastNatureTours.com
facebook@DownEastNatureTours.com

info@AcadiaBirdingFestival.com
www.AcadiaBirdingFestival.com
facebook@AcadiaBirdingFestival.com