Wednesday, 12 June 2013

[Maine-birds] Re: (Maine Birds) MDI Black-bellied Whistling Ducks Revisited (Whose on First)

Hello all,
 
I just got off of the phone with the Steve Dugay from National Park Canoe Rentals on Long Pond in Somesville. After talking about the Black-bellied Whistling Duck on MDI on May 27, 2013, we realized that Steve and Brian Hamor were the first people to see  the BBWD on Mount Desert Island.
 
Steve said that he was standing on the dock at about 2 pm when he saw these large ducks fly over the dock and land with some American Black Duck. Soon they were making themselves at home and looking for food. The walked across the road when Steve shooed them back to the Pond.  They spent the better part of 2 hours walking on the road and front yard at Brian's house.  Steve said it was about 4 o'clock when they took off, not to be seen here again. We know in retrospect that these birds made it to the MDI ponds when Becky and the first group of people saw them.  
 
Those claiming to be "the first" actually were not.... the birds first appeared on Long Pond on May 27, 2013.  They were ID'ed by Steve Dugay and Brian Hamor.  Finding no food they departed quickly and we know now that one bird was stressed and died on the 28th at the MDI HS ponds. 
 
An amazing story for this migratory season!
 
Michael

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