Maine birds And MOAC mountainbiking

Sunday, 31 August 2014

Re: [Maine-birds] Re: Looking for Chimney Swifts

We have a lot of chimney swifts down here in Biddeford. Many nights I see them in my neighborhood feeding overhead or downtown by the old mills.

Jon Edstrom
Biddeford

From: Delia Guzman <dguzman1964@gmail.com>;
To: Fyn Kynd <fynkynd@gmail.com>;
Cc: maine-birds@googlegroups.com <maine-birds@googlegroups.com>; dwmp@avianhaven.org <dwmp@avianhaven.org>;
Subject: Re: [Maine-birds] Re: Looking for Chimney Swifts
Sent: Mon, Sep 1, 2014 12:06:31 AM

There's a roost on downtown Brunswick. They settle in the chimney of a dry cleaners here. Catty corner across from gelato fiasco.

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 31, 2014, at 6:22 PM, Fyn Kynd <fynkynd@gmail.com> wrote:

There are many around Belfast but not sure where their roost is.

Cheers,
Fyn

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Re: [Maine-birds] Re: Looking for Chimney Swifts

There's a roost on downtown Brunswick. They settle in the chimney of a dry cleaners here. Catty corner across from gelato fiasco.

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 31, 2014, at 6:22 PM, Fyn Kynd <fynkynd@gmail.com> wrote:

There are many around Belfast but not sure where their roost is.

Cheers,
Fyn

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Re: [Maine-birds] Sandhill Cranes

have to be real early. Im headin 2 cornish prob around 9.

-----Original Message-----
From: 'rscher34' via Maine birds <maine-birds@googlegroups.com>
To: Maine-birds <maine-birds@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sun, Aug 31, 2014 4:53 pm
Subject: [Maine-birds] Sandhill Cranes

Has anyone seen the sandhill cranes in Raymond recently?

Thanks!!

Judith Scher

[Maine-birds] Re: Looking for Chimney Swifts

There are many around Belfast but not sure where their roost is.

Cheers,
Fyn

[Maine-birds] Sandhill Cranes

Has anyone seen the sandhill cranes in Raymond recently?

Thanks!!

Judith Scher

[Maine-birds] Pine Point and Eastern Road

Surprised to find a pair of Hudsonian godwits on the sand bar across from the boat launch at Pine Point this morning at low tide. Also a pair of bald eagles munching on a dead fish a little upriver from the launch.

Eastern Road pannes were quite, with quite a few white-rumps, two stilt sandpipers, and one long-billed dowitcher. No buff-breasted though.

Cheers,

BAB

--
Bruce Bartrug
Nobleboro, Maine, USA
bbartrug@gmail.com
www.brucebartrug.com

The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing. - Albert Einstein

[Maine-birds] Mud Creek and Schoodic this morning

Hi all --

In passing through, the Mud Creek Rd in Lamoine yielded a single Eastern Bluebird (in "Fennelyville"), an Osprey perching on a wire over Mud Creek and apparently hunting from that perch (unusual to see that behavior, I think?), and a single Am. Kestrel.

At Schoodic Point this morning my wife and I enjoyed a small number of shorebirds including Semi Plovers, Least, Semisands, one Solitary, and two White-rumps. Mammals included 4 harbor porpoise close enough to loop road that we could hear them blow, one gray seal, one red fox, and two suicidal rodents (the ones that decide to cross an otherwise empty road right in front of you).

Best,

Craig K

p.s. if you start the day with breakfast at Chester Pikes in Sullivan, you don't have to see bird one. You've already pinned your happy meter.

[Maine-birds] Unidentified bird on Katadin

Climbed Katadin Friday. Saw a sparrow-like bird with yellow eyebrow and a narrow yellow crown. Rest of bird appeared to be shades of brown. Any idea what species?

[Maine-birds] Looking for Chimney Swifts

If anyone knows of a communal chimney swift roost that is currently active, Portland through Bangor areas, we’d appreciate the information. We have a few late fledglings to release, but none of the sites we’ve known of in the past appear to be in use at this time.

Thanks in advance,

Diane at Avian Haven

www.avianhaven.org

Saturday, 30 August 2014

[Maine-birds] 100th Anniversary death of the last passenger pigeon

Hi Folks,

Monday marks the 100th anniversary of the death of the last passenger pigeon. I copied the announcement from Bird Studies Canada (which is worth signing up for their newsletter; after all, Eastern Maine is part of the Maritimes).

It is ironic, I guess the passing of the passenger pigeon gives meaning to the song of the mourning dove.

"You may want to pause for a minute of silence at 1 p.m. on Monday, September 1, the centennial of the moment when "Martha" – the last Passenger Pigeon on the planet – quietly kicked the bucket at the Cincinnati Zoo. Many organizations are acknowledging what is arguably the world's most infamous extinction event, including the Royal Ontario Museum, the Canadian Museum of Nature, and the Smithsonian Institution.
In case you missed it, please read "One Hundred Years after Martha, the Last Passenger Pigeon" from the Summer issue of Bird Studies Canada's magazine BirdWatch Canada, written by our Director of National Programs Jon McCracken."

Norman Famous, Wetlands and Wildlife Ecologist

513 Eight Rod Road

Augusta, ME 04330

(207) 623 6072

[Maine-birds] 2 Buff-breasts at Lubec Bar

Despite the general lack of shorebirds, i.e. <50 Semi Sandpipers, there were two exquisite juv. Buff-breasts feeding on the receding tide.

Nothing else unexpected.

Spectacular time on the water this morning with Chris B, as he enumerated.

This is a splendid part of Maine and the Maritimes at this time of year, come on down.

Best, Peter

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[Maine-birds] Maine RBA - August 29, 2014

Name: Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert
Reporting Period: August 23 - 29, 2014
Area: State of Maine
Compilers: Doug Hitchcox

Noteworthy Species Mentioned:
Mute Swan
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Hudsonian Godwit
Marbled Godwit
Baird's Sandpiper
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper
Wilson's Phalarope
Crested Caracara

York County

On the 26th, two BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS were found at the Tuckahoe Turf Farm in Berwick.

Curtis Cove Beach, at the end of Granite Point Road in Biddeford, held a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER on the 29th.

A juvenile BAIRD'S SANDPIPER was seen at the northeast corner of Biddeford Pool Beach from the 23rd to the 28th. On the 24th, a juvenile WESTERN SANDPIPER was photographed here.

Two immature YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS continued to be seen around Biddeford Pool, usually on the edge of the pond off Elphis Road, as of the 26th.

Greater Portland

Shorebird diversity continues to build along the Eastern Road through the Scarborough Marsh, highlighted this week by a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER on the 29th.

Also on the 29th, a MARBLED GODWIT was reported from the Pine Point Lobster Co-op in Scarborough.

Kennebec River Valley (Augusta-Waterville)

On the 27th, a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER and WILSON'S PHALAROPE were found at the Flood Brothers Farm on River Road in Clinton. Please respect this private property and remain well away from machinery.

A CRESTED CARACARA was photographed atop a telephone pole near Hawks Ridge Farm in Unity, at the intersection of Route 139 and Reynolds Road, on the evening of the 26th. It was briefly relocated here on the morning of the 27th before moving west on Route 139 into Benton where it only remained for a couple hours. There have been no positive reports since then. Pending acceptance by the Maine Bird Records Committee, this would represent the first occurrence of this species in Maine.

Midcoast

A HUDSONIAN GODWIT and BAIRD'S SANDPIPER were found at Popham Beach State Park on the afternoon of the 28th. Two WESTERN SANDPIPERS were reported here on the 29th.

A pair of MUTE SWANS continues to be seen at the Winnegance Causeway in Phippsburg.

Downeast

A BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was found on the Lubec Flats on the 28th and continued on the 29th.

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[Maine-birds] Black-headed gull, little gull, etc, Eastport area

Barbara Vickery, Peter Vickery, Mary Bartlett and I went looking for birds by boat this morning from Eastport. The best action was in Western Passage between Eastport and Deer Island, NB. Bonaparte's gulls were feeding in the tide rips and we teased out a black-headed gull and a little gull from the mix. Porpoise brought a ball of Atlantic herring to the surface that attracted a frenzy of birds including nine bald eagles that were grabbing talons full of fish. A lesser black-backed gull was among the throng of large gulls at this fish feast. We also cruised through Head Harbor Passage and picked up an additional little gull and lesser black-backed gull along with great cormorants, black legged kittiwakes, etc. Great trip!

Chris Bartlett

RE: [Maine-birds] Disabled Cormorant - Good News!

To everyone interested in the Evergreen cormorant –

The day Judy called me about this bird, I contacted the Game Warden who’d been monitoring the situation; he went to the cemetery the following day to re-assess capture possibilities, but could not find the cormorant. Coincidentally on the 26^th, we received a call from Stoneledge Animal Hospital in Westbrook about a cormorant that had been brought to their clinic; this bird was reportedly missing most of one wing, and died that day. The staff had no information about the bird’s recovery location other than “Portland.”

I spoke again yesterday afternoon with the warden, who’d been in contact with the park personnel mentioned in Judy’s mail. They confirmed that the Evergreen cormorant has not been seen there for several days. It seems a logical conclusion that the bird that died at Stoneledge is the one from the cemetery.

Diane at Avian Haven

www.avianhaven.org

From: maine-birds@googlegroups.com [mailto:maine-birds@googlegroups.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2014 2:59 PM
To: Noah Gibb; Maine Birds; cwilkens91@gmail.com
Subject: [Maine-birds] Disabled Cormorant - Good News!

Hi, all. Following up on the good suggestions made by many of you, I have had gratifying conversations with a variety of knowledgeable and helpful folks including Laura at Center for Wildlife who referred me to the Portland Park Rangers. There I spoke with ranger Christian Wilkens (who is willing to help anyway possible) and his boss, Supt. Joe Eumais (spelling? who also is in favor of a proper rescue) who both have been monitoring the bird and Diane at Avian Haven who assures me that she and the Maine Game Wardens are also monitoring the situation.

Diane is going to speak with all of the experienced parties. They will assess the current situation to determine a responsible, reasonable plan for capturing the cormorant. I made it clear that many of us stand willing to lend whatever lay assistance we can - whether it would consist of muscle or finances - but that in no way would any of us presume to second-guess the experts re what should be done and how.

At this point, we can all rest easier knowing that the bird has not gone unnoticed.

Thanks for caring, all of you.

Judy

Friday, 29 August 2014

[Maine-birds] Buff Breasted, Scarlet Tanager - Timber Point

Highlights of the day at Timber Point include a beautifully plumed BBSA and a SCTA (f). Curtis Cove Beach (at parking lot) been great for shorebirds at about mid-tides.

Steve & Sue

[Maine-birds] Fw: BBSA and STSA Eastern Rd Scarborough Marsh

Somehow I forgot to mention that there were also at least 4 adult Stilt Sandpipers along with the juvenile.

Noah

On Friday, August 29, 2014 8:45 PM, Noah Gibb <voodoochitlins@yahoo.com> wrote:

I hit the Eastern Rd trail after work this afternoon and was treated to a lot of activity in the pannes. My first ever Buff-Breasted Sandpiper was the big highlight. That juvenile plumage looks amazing in the afternoon sunlight! There also was a juvenile Stilt Sandpiper out there. I haven't seen one in a while since the 2, then 1 adult(s) that were around a few weeks ago and beyond. One of each juvenile and adult Pectoral Sandpiper was nice to see as well as I haven't seen a whole lot of this species this shorebird season. There was also a Solitary Sandpiper in a small patch of mud on the opposite side of the trail from the big panne.

200-300 Semipalmated Sandpipers, 100+ Least Sandpipers, 60+ Lesser Yellowlegs, 10 Semipalmated Plovers, a lone Black-Bellied Plover, 8 Greater Yellowlegs, ~30 Short-Billed Dowitchers, and at least 22 White-Rumped Sandpipers rounded out the diversity. Also there is an uptick in teal numbers since my last visit; 80+ Green-Winged Teal and at least 8 Blue-Winged Teal.

Bird haahd,

Noah Gibb-Portland

[Maine-birds] BBSA and STSA Eastern Rd Scarborough Marsh

Bird haahd,

Noah Gibb-Portland

[Maine-birds] Used book sale

We are having a used book sale starting tomorrow at the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center. We have many bird books for different locations around the world and books on a variety of topics. We will be open from 9 to 530 all weekend. We are also having sales in the store.

So feel free to come down and check out our books and maybe bring some of your own. They don't have to be nature books they could be on any subjects as long as you're not text books.

Come in the morning if you want to see some good shorebirds behind the nature center.

Linda

Linda Woodard
Director, Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center
207-883-5100
Cell 207-415-8331
Sent from my iPhone
Linda Woodard
Director, Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center
207-883-5100
Cell 207-415-8331
Sent from my iPhone

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[Maine-birds] Buffy still in Lubec 8/29

I saw a juvenile buff-breasted sandpiper at the South Lubec Sand Bar this morning, likely the same bird that Rob found there yesterday. I first spotted it way out on the flats feeding with SB dowitchers about 4 hours before high tide. The bird was poking along the wrack line high up on the beach by the time I left two hours later. Overall shorebird numbers were quite low for this time of year.

Many thanks to Rob for reporting this sweet bird!

Chris Bartlett

[Maine-birds] more pondpipers, Augusta

Took my lunch down to the little retention pond here at 51 Commerce Drive in Augusta, where I work. Despite being only an acre in size, with only 800’ of shoreline, it continues to have some good freshwater shorebirding.

Today I found:

2 Solitary Sandpipers

3 Spotted Sandpipers (two of whom spent the entire half-hour fighting with each other, including physical contact and beak-pecking each other and chasing each other all over the pond)

1 Lesser Yellowlegs

1 Greater Yellowlegs

On more than one occasion I was able to see all 3 Tringa in a single field of view. What fun! And yes I added them all to my ‘office list’.

Also there was 1 GBH, 3 Mallards (eclipse drakes) and the usual suspects.

===============================
Michael Smith MS GISP
State GIS Manager, Maine Office of GIS
State of Maine, Office of Information Technology
michael.smith _at_ maine.gov 207-215-5530

Board Member, Maine GeoLibrary
Education Chair, Maine GIS Users Group
State Rep, National States Geographic Information Council

State House Station 145
51 Commerce Drive
Augusta, ME 04333-0145
69^o 47' 58.9"W 44^o 21' 54.8"N

[Maine-birds] Re: Captain Fitzgerald Preserve, Brunswick

Hi Steve;

Thanks for this heads-up. I've birded the other side of the quarry pools, following the powerline, and agree the area has vast potential for birds.
But there's a freakin' huge barrier across the road (Lindbergh Landing) as the woods begin. I'm a little chary of crossing things like that in Maine (although there are no signs prohibiting it).
OK to leave truck here and walk in??

It also looks like it gets heavy impact from Off-Roaders, eh?

Thanks again for the tip. I can always use a new patch.

best
mike

On Monday, August 25, 2014 2:33:41 PM UTC-4, Steve Walker wrote:

Hi folks,

If you are looking for a "new" patch to bird in the Brunswick area, I recommend the recently opened Captain Fitzgerald Preserve at the end of Lindbergh Landing (aka Wilderness Way on Google Earth) off of the Old Bath Road. The site is 60+ acres of sandplain reminiscent of the Kennebunk Plains. The town is now working on a management plan to restore grassland characteristics. I was on a site walk this a.m. and had a great diversity of migrating passerines. No show stoppers, but a vesper sparrow was unexpected.

Best,

Steve W.

[Maine-birds] more about Gannets surprisingly far upriver

Howard Lake just forwarded this link to some sad news about Northern Gannets struggling to find food in warmer waters around Newfoundland breeding colonies. The two birds we saw were adults so maybe some adults have just had to give up and start searching further and wider for food sources….

http://www.thetelegram.com/News/Local/2014-08-29/article-3851359/Gannets-abandoning-chicks-at-Cape-St.-Mary%26rsquo%3Bs/1

From: maine-birds@googlegroups.com [mailto:maine-birds@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Wells
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2014 9:29 AM
To: Maine-Birds google list
Subject: [Maine-birds] Gannets surprisingly far upriver

Allison and I were birding with some friends on Barter’s Island near Boothbay on Tuesday morning and were very surprised to see two Northern Gannets off the west shore near the northern tip of the island. The spot is about 10 miles upriver and inland from Reid State Park where the mouth of the bay opens up between there and the tip of Southport. I used to bird as a teenager on some family property just around the corner and about a half mile further inland from where we saw the gannets and never saw any up that far.

There were lots of Bonaparte’s Gull there as well (50+) so maybe just a rich food source (lots of lobster buoys too) but still we were very surprised to see the gannets that far in shore.

Jeff

Jeff Wells

Senior Scientist, International Boreal Conservation Campaign

Science and Policy Director, Boreal Songbird Initiative

[Maine-birds] RE: Gannets surprisingly far upriver

Actually was Wednesday, Aug. 27^th for the record!

Jeff

There were lots of Bonaparte’s Gull there as well (50+) so maybe just a rich food source (lots of lobster buoys too) but still we were very surprised to see the gannets that far in shore.

Jeff

Jeff Wells

Senior Scientist, International Boreal Conservation Campaign

Science and Policy Director, Boreal Songbird Initiative

[Maine-birds] Gannets surprisingly far upriver

There were lots of Bonaparte’s Gull there as well (50+) so maybe just a rich food source (lots of lobster buoys too) but still we were very surprised to see the gannets that far in shore.

Jeff

Jeff Wells

Senior Scientist, International Boreal Conservation Campaign

Science and Policy Director, Boreal Songbird Initiative

Thursday, 28 August 2014

[Maine-birds] Popham Beach - Evening

We had dinner on the beach at Popham this evening, in the company of many happy surfers. The roaring surf provided ample photo ops in the setting sun, but the best sight was a flock of 5 Whimbrels, preceded by their mellow twitters, as they passed over our heads, and settled on the sandy beach, close to the lifeguard tower. Those birds are just plain exciting.

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[Maine-birds] Hudsonian Godwit and j Baird's S at Popham Beach S P this afternoon

Jan Pierson and I birded Popham Beach this afternoon and saw a Hudsonian Godwit, 2 wicked tired j. Whimbrel, and a juvenile Baird's Sandpiper near the mouth of the Morse River.

also of interest:

5+ White-rumps, 3 Roseate Terns, otherwise routine.

Jan did flush a sparrow from the Spartina on Sand Island, not a Song Sparrow but unresolved. It's still there I bet.

Best, Peter

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[Maine-birds] Fwd: {Disarmed} WHSRNews Update: 28 August 2014

Calidriphiles,

World Shorebird Day is coming up on September 6. Get out there and comb the flats!

Good shorebirding,

Norm Famous

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: WHSRN <mgmorehouse@manomet.org>
Date: Thu, Aug 28, 2014 at 3:55 PM
Subject: {Disarmed} WHSRNews Update: 28 August 2014
To: nfamous@maine.edu

WHSRNews Update: 28 August 2014

How is WHSRN celebrating World Shorebirds' Day on

6 September?

IN THIS ISSUE

World Shorebirds' Day & WHSRN

.........................................................

STAY CONNECTED

World Shorebirds' Day & WHSRN

World Shorebirds' Day is 6 September 2014 and WHSRN Executive Office staff, site partners, friends, and neighbors are celebrating it in many ways. Take part in events throughout the hemisphere by finding a WHSRN Site near you.

ABOUT | CONTACT | SUPPORT WHSRN

Please send news of your successes, challenges, requests for information and anything else of interest to whsrnews@manomet.org. We will try to include it in the next newsletter.

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Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network Executive Office \| P.O. Box 1770 \| Manomet \| MA \| 02345

Norman Famous, Wetlands and Wildlife Ecologist

513 Eight Rod Road

Augusta, ME 04330

(207) 623 6072

[Maine-birds] Lubec Flats - Update

Lubec Flats were unexpectedly quiet today, for this point in migration. Peeps were mostly Least with a fair number of Semi Sands. After an unsuccessful LB Dow playback, the only two Dowitchers in view, responded immediately to the Short-billed Dowitchers playback and practically landed in our laps. The only thing more exciting was an extremely cooperative Buff-breasted sandpiper that thought our creeping Jeep (vehicle as blind) was a new friend, affording great photo ops.

This slim, beautifully marked, buff colored bird has a small rounded head with a large pale eye ring (pie eyed look), long neck and long primary extension that gives it a delicate, elegant and elongated look, as does the White-rumped Sandpiper, which did not honor us with an appearance...Bugger!

The close looks at the Buffie and three dozen fresh caught Mackerel off the Eastport Pier, made for a very successful day.

Buff-breasted 1 https://www.flickr.com/photos/64147480@N02/14880597160/in/photostream/

Buff-breasted 2

https://www.flickr.com/photos/64147480@N02/14880548429/in/photostream/

[Maine-birds] Red-necked Grebe at Pleasant Point: Great Egret at Harrington

We saw a Red-necked Grebe today in the waters off of the walking path at Pleasant Point. It was keeping company with Black Guillemots and Common Eiders. In the pond on the other side of the walking path (sweet grass meadow) there were Mallards, Black Ducks, Green-winged Teal, 4 Lesser Yellow-legs and 3 Semi-palmated Sandpipers.

In the meadows to the north of the Highway 1A bridge in Harrington, we saw a Great Egret and a flock of Greater Yellow-legs. It's the first Great Egret we've seen in Harrington!

Merle and Anne Archie

Harrington

[Maine-birds] 8/22 Great Wass Yellow-headed Blackbird: link to photos

I just returned home to MA and wifi, where I could upload all the shots I took of the YHBL on 8/22 at Pond Point on Great Wass Island. I tried to email a couple of people to get the word out, since I was not a member of this group at the time, but apparently that was ineffective. The bird was fairly inaccessible, though, and I did file an eBird report with a single photo for documentation. Anyway, here is a link to the flickr album in case anyone is interested in seeing some images of this cool bird (it's no Caracara...):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/62848944@N04/sets/72157646911155086/
I will be on Great Wass for much of each summer in the foreseeable future, having just bought property there, and I'm excited to see what other goodies turn up, in addition to the amazing regulars.
Good birding!
Willy Hutcheson
Concord, MA

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[Maine-birds] Growth report on Essex St sora chick

Photo only.

http://photosbychance.zenfolio.com/p432832521/h27a3ee48#h27a3ee48

Cheers,

Dave

[Maine-birds] Casco Bay - Aug 27

My daughter, niece and I went on an Odyssey Whale Watch under somewhat adverse conditions (strong SE swell and chop - beat into it head-on for 2 fruitless hours) and found a few birds, but surprisingly OK diversity. No whales seen. Many unhappy people on board. Odyssey trips have become a bit mammal-o-centric I believe.

Bird Highlights:
2, maybe 3, Cory's shearwaters - one photo'd
1 Manx Shearwater
1 Great Shearwater
14 (est.) Red-Necked Phalaropes (fair photos)
2 Red Phalaropes (Compar. photos flying and sitting)
1 Jaeger sp. (likely a Pomarine)
a dozen Gannets, zero storm petrels.

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[Maine-birds] Crested Caracara not found Thursday morning 28 Aug

Word from several parties searching is negative.

Louis Bevier
Fairfield

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[Maine-birds] pondpipers Augusta

In our tiny little stormwater retention pond at 51 Commerce Drive (Augusta) this morning was a nice group of 6 Solitary Sandpipers and 3 Spotted Sandpipers. The water is slowly receding from the rainstorms of two weeks ago and exposing muddy shoreline which the pipers are loving.

Wednesday, 27 August 2014

[Maine-birds] buff-belly

Yikes! We discovered a Golden Plover that we told about to another birder
one time. He asked about the sex and we said it was an adult female. He said
he saw it caught by a peregrine who had his lunch. There was also the famous
video of a white-faced glossy ibis on Plum Island drowned by a peregrine and
eaten, in full view of about 40 school kids a few years ago. I think you can
still find it on YouTube. Mother Nature rules.
Glenn

-----Original Message-----
From: maine-birds@googlegroups.com [mailto:maine-birds@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of Louis Bevier
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2014 9:37 PM
To: Maine Birds List Serve
Subject: [Maine-birds] Crested Caracara update -- no reports in afternoon

Unless someone isn't telling, the caracara was not seen after mid-late
morning. I know several folks tried and could not find it. This said, the
bird could sit for long periods and do that out of sight. There are few
vantages in the area.

To repeat, the stretch of route 139 here is unsafe, and no one should pull
over to the shoulder and park unless on a pullout designed for that.
Reynolds road is okay, but stay to the side as big trucks use this road to
reach the compost facility.

As an addendum to the day, a Merlin dined on Buff-breasted Sandpiper for
supper around 7 p.m. I saw it happen. So unless a new bird arrives
(possible), don't expect that species of shorebird in the area tomorrow.

Louis Bevier
Fairfield

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[Maine-birds] Crested Caracara update -- no reports in afternoon

Unless someone isn't telling, the caracara was not seen after mid-late morning. I know several folks tried and could not find it. This said, the bird could sit for long periods and do that out of sight. There are few vantages in the area.

To repeat, the stretch of route 139 here is unsafe, and no one should pull over to the shoulder and park unless on a pullout designed for that. Reynolds road is okay, but stay to the side as big trucks use this road to reach the compost facility.

As an addendum to the day, a Merlin dined on Buff-breasted Sandpiper for supper around 7 p.m. I saw it happen. So unless a new bird arrives (possible), don't expect that species of shorebird in the area tomorrow.

Louis Bevier
Fairfield

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[Maine-birds] OT: tiger beetles

Mike Fahay suggested the black and white arthropods I've been finding at Popham beach were tiger beetles, and I believe he's correct. Here's the bronze tiger beetle, found here in Maine.

http://eol.org/pages/289897/overview

https://www.flickr.com/photos/49679700@N07/8698032787/

I'll see if I can get a photo when next at Popham, as the beetles there seem whiter than those in these photos. There are a couple species of beach tiger beetles along the Atlantic coast and it would interesting (to me at least) to discover which species/subspecies I've been seeing. These beetles are common along the inner estuary at Popham and you might take a look should be there. From a distance they resemble small whitish crabs, but they belong to a different Arthropod order :).

bab

[Maine-birds] Crested Caracara photos

David Ladd appears to have documentary evidence:
https://flic.kr/p/oWftV2

Way to go!

Louis

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[Maine-birds] Wilson's Phalarope

in addition to Louis's buff breasted Sandpiper there was a Wilson's phalarope in the South Pond at flood brothers farm. It flew off with a lesser yellow legs, but there is a good chance it will come back.
Rob Cumberland

[Maine-birds] Re: CRESTED CARACARA - Unity-Benton, 8/27 UPDATE, Wilson's Phalarope at Flood Farm

The caracara remained perched near Rt. 139 in Benton (0.1 miles west of Unity Twp. line, coordinates N 44.61178 W 69.44108) for about an hour and a half until about 9:30 am, when it flew back from the road out of sight. Rob Speirs et al. report not having found the bird as of 11:00 am.

Rob also reports a Wilson's Phalarope at the Flood Farm.

Louis Bevier

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[Maine-birds] Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Clinton 27 Aug

A spiffy-looking juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at the Flood Farm in Clinton this morning. It was in the southernmost manure pond. This is a working farm with trucks and tractors constantly on the move. Please stay out of their way, if visiting.

Louis Bevier

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[Maine-birds] CRESTED CARACARA - Unity-Benton, 8/27 UPDATE

The Crested Caracara relocated about 1.4 miles west of the previous location. It was feeding on a road-kill Painted Turtle at a curve on Rt. 139 about 0.1-0.2 miles west of the Benton-Unity town line. It sometimes perches low out of sight in trees by the road. Traffic here moves at 50-60+ mph. There is no place to stop or slow down here. Please don't try! The best approach may be to hope the bird returns to Reynolds Road.

Louis Bevier

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