[Maine-birds] MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND REPORT

I returned to the island late this morning so I've had little time to survey for migrants. However, it's evident that flycatchers are numerous. I've seen YELLOW BELLIED & LEAST FLYCATCHERS, PHOEBES and RED EYED VIREO, as well as several unidenitified species.
Warblers seen sparse but I have seen both BLACK & WHITE & BLACK POLL WARBLERS around the house.
Also, a handful of CEDAR WAXWINGS.

One MERLIN was around but I didn't see it hunting. I suspect it was just passing through.

 

The Alcids seem to be doing well, both in numbers and breeding progress.

TERNS are back in approximately the same numbers as the past couple years but seem to be doing a bit better ..... not great but cautiously better. They are generally more aggressive and significantly less prone to leaving their nests (compared to recent years). Their behavior is more colonial in nature than I've seen for some time. Quite a few of the nests now have an egg and some have two.
Odds are against successful fledging but even having a significant hatch would be a big step in the right direction.

The number of Gulls actually nesting here is down from last year and that might be helping the Terns a little. It certainly can't hurt. The Gull numbers in the area is still notable, though, and they will likely take their toll as the season progresses.

--
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.