Hey everyone:
There was very little activity on the radar last night but we still had a great group and 45+ species on the Gilsland Farm Birdwalk this morning. Signs of fall are all around with an increase in sparrows and leaves falling to the ground. A few highlights included:
An extremely entertaining group of Wild Turkeys in the Pond Meadow. They were spooked by a barking dog that sent several of them flying into the trees around us. As if it isn't goofy enough to see a turkey in a tree, it is hilarous to see one trying to land in a spruce.
In the West Meadow, a cooperative immature Red-tailed Hawk filled our scope while a young Cooper's Hawk buzzed over the meadow. A few Eastern Bluebirds have also been putting on a show for us the last two weeks. Near the blind we had a brief view of a solo Philadelphia Vireo foraging in the treetops, a new species for me here.
We finally caught up with some warblers in the North Meadow - a collection of Palm Warblers, all apparently from the eastern 'Yellow' group, were foraging along the trail near the river edge. Sparrows have been increasing with Swamp Sparrows reaching double-digits today. One immature White-crowned Sparrow continues to hang around the North Meadow blind.
Here is a complete checklist from the walk: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S15312902
And if you haven't heard, we will also be having birdwalks at Gilsland Farm on Saturdays through December. More info is on the Maine Audubon website: http://maineaudubon.org/events/2013/saturday-morning-bird-walks/
Good birding,
Doug Hitchcox
Staff Naturalist
Maine Audubon
207-781-2330 x237
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