Monday, 16 September 2013

[Maine-birds] Augusta area birds

I just spent a good chunk of time looking at a very possible ACADIAN FLYCATCHER in my yard.  With the naked eye, it looked bigger than most empid flycatchers.  I got my binoculars on it for quite a while and noted its very bold white wing bars and contrasting dark wings.  Its bill also had a longer-than-usual appearance.  At one point when I couldn't see the bird, I heard a very similar sound to the Acadian's song, albeit a bit "off" (less sweet, but still distinctly two-part with the second higher and slightly emphasized, and not burry at all like an Alder's or Willow's).  After doing some reading, I found it interesting that Acadian's molt earlier than Alder's and on average look "fresher" plumage-wise in late summer/early fall (and this bird certainly didn't look worn at all).  It spent plenty of time hawking bugs from a couple of trees along the lake before flying away.
 
Yesterday afternoon along the river trail between Augusta and Hallowell, I found a Mourning Warbler and, in Hallowell itself was a lone LAUGHING GULL--my first time seeing one away from a coast.  Pretty cool surprise!
 
Warbler-wise, since moving here a week and a half ago, I've had most likely warblers in my yard on Cobbosecontee Lake (East Winthrop), including my first ever male Black-Throated Blue.  The most surprising stumpers for me have been Pine and Yellow, somehow I can't turn 'em up anywhere I've gone.  Lastly, 4 COMMON TERNS spent some time on the lake on Saturday before continuing on.
 
Kyle Te Poel
 

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