This morning I counted 27 Black Terns from the boat launch at the south end of Lake Messalonskee. A single Sandhill Crane clattered briefly and then flew. Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warblers were still the predominate migrant warbler along the marsh edge.
At Viles Arboretum, Willow Flycatcher sang and perched in the open near Piggery Road where the willows flow down from the pond. A single Philadelphia Vireo showed well in a flock of migrants. The thrush we saw along the hosta trail along with Margaret Viens and the Augusta Bird Club group was interesting. It was a dreaded slash: Gray-cheeked/Bicknell's Thrush. In the low light, we could see rufescent tones on the tail and primaries, but this was subdued. Along with its apparent small size, this suggested Bicknell's Thrush. The extent and brightness of yellow on the mandible was perhaps not as bright as many Bicknell's Thrushes, but this too depends on lighting (see one of my photos in list below to see how different it appears). The bird could have been a Newfoundland (minimus) Gray-cheeked Thrush but who knows. It clearly was not the widespread race of Gray-cheeked Thrush that we sometimes see in fall. Great opportunity for extended study nonetheless.
The Vile list: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S18493168
Good birding,
Louis Bevier
Fairfield
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