[Maine-birds] MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND REPORT

The migration is still a slow trickle: a handful of WHITE THROATED SPARROWS; a few

SAVANNAH SPARROWS; a couple of COWBIRDS; occasional ROBINS; singleton FLICKERS; 2

HERMIT THRUSHES; occasional small groups and single GREAT CORMORANTS; 11 BRANT; a slow but increasing flow of COMMON EIDERS; 5 KESTRELS & 2 MERLINS (April 10th).

 

HARLEQUIN DUCKS are still in residence but only around 25, less than half the winter high.

PURPLE SANDPIPERS, our only winter shorebird, are now usually under 20 and well scattered

since a large flock (200+) was seen assembled early this past week.

 

2 adult/near adult EAGLES continue with daily visits, occasionally augmented by various sub-adults. Likewise, our 2 RAVENS are rarely far away.
 
The GRAY SEAL herd using Gull Rock now frequently exceeds 200. Quite the noisy assembly.

Our single CANADA GOOSE remains. It's interesting that he(?) spends hours gleening white

 millet. It's a testament to the dexterity and sensitivity of that huge beak that he can pick individual seeds.

 

Last night brought the best number of ALCIDS this spring .... still not the full colony population

 but getting close.
This is the first morning with the rocks really covered in birds and the the ubiquitous background murmur.  

 

Approximately a dozen pair of  HERRING GULLS & 2 pair of GREATER BLACK BACKED GULLS are tending territory so nests can't be far away.   

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