Friday, 12 September 2014

[Maine-birds] Seawall and Popham beaches-8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Am Golden-Plover, Hudsonian Godwit, Baird's Sandpiper

I birded Popham starting at 11 and saw 2 Lesser Black-nacked Gulls, a crisp juv Hudsonian Godwit, and juv Baird's Sandpiper among more expected birds. Mike Fahay joined me for some of the fun.

I then went over to Seawall Beach and came across 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. I carefully counted 5 adult LBBG, all with bright yellow legs and glowing bills, 1 third year/cycle bird with a bit of black in the bill, and 2 crisp, long-winged juvs, fancy in this plumage. I went back and forth several times to make I wasn't double counting but I've never seen anything like these numbers in Maine. Also a juv Am Golden-Plover, Dunlin, and an adult Peregrine, thanks for pointing Mike!

LBBGs tend to show up at this time of year but I don't know why there are so many here. If you're interested in studying this species, I'd go to Popham at high or just after high tide and walk all the way to the Morse River. There's a huge gull concentrate, more Great Bl-backs than I can remember. That's also where the godwit and most other shorebirds were foraging. Also 15-20+ Gray Seals offshore with the smaller Harbor Seals.

Splendid day to be outdoors.

Best, Peter

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