[Maine-birds] Re: 2 SNEG x TRHE hybrids and 1-2 WFIB @ Scarborough Marsh

Hi all,

I was at the Scarborough Marsh a few hours last week. I searched that hybrid SnowyXTricolored but I must confess I had no idea of what it may look. Anyway, I had a great time and met some very nice birders.

Thanks for all you do in USA to protect the birds.

Luc Tremblay,

Quebec, 

On Wednesday, August 6, 2014 9:21:08 PM UTC-4, Noah Gibb wrote:

I have had the privilege to lead the weekly Wednesday bird walks at the Scarborough Marsh this summer and this morning featured some exceptional birding as expected this time of year. The tide was higher so we birded the Eastern Rd trail and came across "The" presumed Snowy Egret x Tricolored Heron on the western side of the trail by the pannes near the woods. As this bird played hide-and-seek with us in the tall spartina grass, a second head and neck sporadically popped in and out of the marsh. As many of you may recall, 2 hybrids of this presumed combination eventually were seen last summer as well out here.

On the eastern side of the trail, a molting White-Faced Ibis was feeding alongside another possible WFIB. The second bird did not give good enough looks to rule out a hybrid possibility, however. I felt the first bird showed a bright red eye, purple facial skin, and some sparse whitish flecks bordering the face which seemed to be more convincing of a pure WFIB.

A Northern Harrier hunted the pannes which were peppered with shorebirds and terns. A distant Spotted Sandpiper and White-Rumped Sandpiper were picked out foraging in the pannes amongst the multitude of expected shorebirds. Egret and heron numbers seem to have increased dramatically.

Bird haahd,

Noah Gibb-Portland

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