Maine Audubon had a great trip out to Stratton Island yesterday morning. We saw about 60 Bonaparte gulls as we motored out to the island. We passed a few feeding frenzies of terns - Common, Roseate and Least and cormorants just outside the mouth of the river.
Once on the Island we had some excellent views of terns from the blinds. Several new nests of Common Terns were hatching while we were there. These birds were re-nesters since their nests were destroyed due to high tides earlier in the month. Some tern chicks, a few weeks old, were testing out their wings and a few were actually flying. We had a special treat when we were able to view several Arctic Terns on nest.
On the back side of the Island, Roseate Terns and chicks were spotted along with many Common Terns. We had some good looks at Short-billed Dowitchers and Least Sandpipers. Black Guillemots were right off shore for all to see.
At the fresh water pond in the middle of the island, we had a treat with 2 Pectoral Sandpipers along with Least, Semipalmated and Spotted Sandpipers. Mallard, Gadwall, a Mallard X Black Duck and Common Eider were seen on the pond. A Sora was heard and quick looks of the bird were seen as it ran through the cat tails. Young Glossy Ibis, Little Blue Herons and Snowy Egrets were along the edge of the pond and in the trees.
For a complete list go to http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19087349. If you would like to have this list shared with you, please respond to me offline.
A recap and link to the second trips was posted by Noah Gibb earlier. Check out his great pictures of the birds.
As always we thank the Puffin Project for allowing us to visit such a special spot.
Linda
Linda Woodard, Director
Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center
Cell: 207-415-8331
Work: 207-781-2330 ext 213
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