Maine birds And MOAC mountainbiking

Sunday, 30 November 2014

[Maine-birds] Mackworth Island

Walked the trail around Mackworth Island in Falmouth today. Lots of life in the water however my Christmas carol singing 6 year old kept most of the terrestrial birds away.
Saw a huge raft of Common Eider towards the East End Beach.There were plenty of Buffleheads, Red Breasted Mergansers, and Horned Grebe's. Also spotted one Common Goldeneye, several American Black Ducks, and mostly Herring Gulls. In the distance there were a few loons although I could not make them out for sure.

The disconcerting addition was what appeared to be a dead hawk or owl in a tree along the path at approximately these coordinates. 43.690874, -70.230817 (These were taken from google maps so accuracy may be a bit off, but it is easily visible from the trail) If you walk the trail heading northeast (clockwise) around the island, you will find it at about the 12:00 mark. You come around a switch back and there is a bit of a clearing in the trees and there are 2 large dead trees side by side. I took a picture ( Link ) and intended to get a little closer to try and identify it better but was discussing possible causes with my wife and apparently did not take them.

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[Maine-birds] 2 EURASIAN WIGEONS @ Grondin Pond Scarborough and Rough-Legged Hawks Biddeford Pool

I stopped by Grondin Pond late this morning to hopefully catch Eddie Woodin's EUWI reported yesterday. I was surprised to find that there were TWO spiffy drakes! Below is a list of some other highlights from there.

American Wigeon - 8

Northern Pintail - 4

Ring-Necked Duck - 1

Lesser Scaup - 4

Ruddy Duck - 8

American Coot - 1 (54 at Prout's Pond around the cornah)(Also 32 Hooded Mergansers at Prout's Pond)

Bufflehead - 1

Also Marian Zimmerman reported 2 Rough-Legged Hawks from East Point Sanctuary at Biddeford Pool.

Bird haahd,

Noah Gibb-Portland

[Maine-birds] Turkey Vulture Rte 1A bet. Milbridge & Harrington

Wally saw the Turkey vulture yesterday afternoon. Isn't this late in the season for that bird?

[Maine-birds] Biddeford: Barrow's Goldeneye

A male Barrow's Goldeneye was with 3 Common Goldeneye on the Saco
River this afternoon, viewed from Rotary Park in Biddeford. Also a
Wood Duck or two on the river.

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20735431

--Josh

Josh Fecteau
Kennebunkport, ME

JOSH'S JOURNAL: New England Natural History and Foraging
(http://joshfecteau.com)

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[Maine-birds] Kittery Snowy

Nov 29, Kittery over the turnpike,
while driving yesterday at 3pm saw a Snowy owl flying quite low across the highway. Too bad I was driving and had passengers! I wanted to drive into a ditch and grab my camera!
Robin R Robinson
Phippsburg
http://robinrobinsonmaine.com

[Maine-birds] Sandhill Cranes - Another chapter

I've revised my map to include the sighting of 24 Sandhill Cranes
migrating through Philadelphia yesterday. Fascinating to be able to
follow a single flock of birds as they've moved from Maine through
Pennsylvania!

http://home.comcast.net/~smirick//SandhillCranes-revised.jpg

And the new details
---------------------------
29 Sandhill Cranes in Norridgewock, Maine on November 20. Louis Bevier.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lrbevier/15836842635

24 Sandhill Cranes in Hampton, NH on November 27 (about 11:30 AM) Mike
Thompson & Jason Lambert.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jlambert614/15715855808/

24 Sandhill Cranes in Newburyport, MA on November 28 (about 8:10 AM)
Derek Lovitch

23 Sandhill Cranes in New Haven, CT on November 28 (about 2:00 PM) Dana
Campbell et al

24 +/- Sandhill Cranes in Philadelphia, PA on November 29 (about 10:15
AM) reported on DVOC page

Steve Mirick
Bradford, MA

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[Maine-birds] Great blue

Watching a beaver munch on poplar .when he saw me he slid into the water and whacked his tail.
Up gets a great blue heron.
I thought they had all departed.
Also robins and red winged blackbirds.
H. Donovan Long Island, Casco Bay

Sent from my iPad

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[Maine-birds] Ruby-crowned Kinglet

A RC Kinglet coming to suet- first time I ever seen one at feeders-
Skip/Linda
Rockport

Sent from my iPhone

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Re: [Maine-birds] Townsends Solitaire

We got to Florida Lake around 2pm yesterday, and were lucky to spot the bird right away. It stayed around for at least half an hour, and allowed for some great looks and some ok pics (can be seen here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/travelingpigeon/sets/72157649131195188/). It had a very predictable behavior - moving from a couple of perches on a pine tree, where it would stay for a few minutes, to the berry bushes to pick one (and just one) berry, and back.

Thank you all for sharing and for the precise directions!

Francesco

On 29 Nov 2014, at 13:18, rob speirs <rspeirs1@gmail.com> wrote:

>
> after a three hour wait.... John Heath spotted the bird when it flew into the winter berry...it stayed for 30 seconds.. then flew to the multiflora Rose and hung around there for a while.. still hangin Rob Cumberland Maine
>
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[Maine-birds] Owl's Head Harbor - Nov 29

A lot of activity as most lobster guys seem to be pulling their traps. Stay out of their way if you visit.
Bubblers are working in both pens.
3 Bonies and a 2nd W Glaucous Gull were the best birds.
A hen Bufflehead seems to be taking advantage of the bubblers, and the prey they bring to the surface.

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[Maine-birds] Mountain Bluebird, Lincoln (late)

I just wanted to pass on that a Mountain Bluebird was seen in Lincoln, Penobscot co. last Sunday (a week ago). This is only the second time this bird has been documented in Maine

The observer got some great photos of the bird which was hanging out in some trees near the Carquest store on the River Road near the intersection with Route 2 south of town. Many of you will remember this as the place that held a Northern Hawk Owl for most of last winter and early spring.

No word yet, on whether its been seen since that time, but area birders have been notified and I will pass on what I hear. Will try to get the photos posted soon too.

Bill

Bill Sheehan
Woodland, Aroostook Co., Maine
http://northernmainebirds.blogspot.com/

[Maine-birds] Dueling Peregrine / Rockland

I first heard , and then watched 2 Falcons on the northern edge of the harbor ,at a distance and then overhead. Awesome and acrobatic in the wind!

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[Maine-birds] Late Waxwing report from Augusta

Hi,

I neglected to report a very large flock of waxwings inside the Capital rotary in Augusta last Tue. Although a late report, there is or were a large group of indeterminate waxwings around town.

There were easily 100+ birds moving back and forth from a tree in or near the Walgreens parking lot into a tree inside the circle. Unfortunately, the traffic prevented me from stopping, although I moved slow enough to hear a chorus of car horns which silenced any vocalizations through my moonroof and windows. I could not pick up an undertail coloration as I gradually swerved to the right. My car tends to veer to right when looking left (and left when looking right, something that has developed over the last few years).

They were gone after three circles around the rotary. I canvased the surrounding neighborhood but found nothing.

There was also a peregrine falcon in August across from the Best Buy/Staples parking lot the same afternoon.

Good birding,

Norm

Norman Famous, Wetlands and Wildlife Ecologist

513 Eight Rod Road

Augusta, ME 04330

(207) 623 6072

[Maine-birds] Baltimore Oriole - Kennebunk

A young male Baltimore Oriole was at my feeders in Kennebunk this morning. I snapped a grainy photo in the low light just before he took off.

Shiloh

[Maine-birds] Sabbath pond. Open?

does anybody out there know if Sabattus pond is still open and there are still some birds on it? If open and there are birds are they viewable from public areas? Please respond ASAP . thank you. Marie

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone

[Maine-birds] 11/29 - Pemaquid Point and Reid SP

Hi all,

First off, many thanks to everyone who responded to my query earlier this week. Although I didn't have time to visit nearly all the spots people recommended, I feel that I now have a good grasp on where to bird along the midcoast.

I arrived at Pemaquid Point around 7:15 a.m. to find a good number of birds. Personal highlights were a large raft of Common Eider, several Black Guillimots, and two Great Cormorants. Long-tailed Ducks, Black Scoters, and White-winged Scoters all put in an appearance, and a large flock of Bonaparte's Gulls fed offshore. Perhaps the most unusual birds of the morning were two Lesser Black-backed Gulls seen well flying over the lighthouse, although unfortunately I didn't realize this was a notable sighting here until I entered the checklist in eBird, so I didn't take any photos. I met Don Reimer, who was kind enough to show me the thicket where the Yellow-breasted Chat has been seen, although the bird did not appear in the brief time we looked for it.

After lunch, I drove down to Reid State Park where, in addition to most of the previously-mentioned species, I added Surf-Scoter, Sanderling, many Red-necked Grebes, and one extremely distant Northern Gannet. Dozens of beautiful Long-tailed Ducks put on a show in great light very close to shore, and both Common and Red-throated Loons plied the waters farther out. Despite careful searching, I was unable to find any Purple Sandpipers or murres, but I nonetheless enjoyed a wonderful day of birding and exploring.

Cheers,

Don Jones

Laramie, WY / Middlebury, VT

Saturday, 29 November 2014

[Maine-birds] Bohemian Waxwings in Jay

Had a flock of Bohmemian Waxwings (10+) at my friends house on Beedy Rd. in Jay this am. Watched them for awhile before they flew off. They were feeding on berries.

Andrew Block
Yonkers, NY

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Re: [Maine-birds] Following the flight of New England's largest Sandhill Crane flock

Forwarded from my friend Tom Reed in Cape May:

"This was on the (Delaware Valley Ornithological Club) Facebook page earlier today:

"This morning at 10:15, a flock of ~24 SANDHILL CRANES (!!!!) flew over East Park reservoir (Philadelphia, PA) and turned west, flying west along the Schuylkill. I was at Sedgely Woods, near the old Cliffs estate. The flock flew directly over my head in a chevron shape, calling loudly as they passed. I had some friends who were on the other side of the forest who also saw the cranes, and celebrated with me when we met back up. The birds were about 10-15m above our heads when they passed over, and then slowly gained altitude as they flew upriver."

-Derek

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 29, 2014, at 7:42 PM, Steve Mirick <smirick@comcast.net> wrote:

I wish I was a part of it, but I lived vicariously through the reports of others. And here is an approximate map of the flight of the 23-24 Sandhill Cranes that passed through New England on November 27th and 28th:

http://home.comcast.net/~smirick//SandhillCranes.jpg

And details with photos
--------------------------------
29 Sandhill Cranes in Norridgewock, Maine on November 20. Louis Bevier.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lrbevier/15836842635

24 Sandhill Cranes in Hampton, NH on November 27 (about 11:30 AM) Mike Thompson & Jason Lambert.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jlambert614/15715855808/

24 Sandhill Cranes in Newburyport, MA on November 28 (about 8:10 AM) Derek Lovitch

23 Sandhill Cranes in New Haven, CT on November 28 (about 2:00 PM) Dana Campbell et al

Steve Mirick
Bradford, MA

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[Maine-birds] Following the flight of New England's largest Sandhill Crane flock

I wish I was a part of it, but I lived vicariously through the reports
of others. And here is an approximate map of the flight of the 23-24
Sandhill Cranes that passed through New England on November 27th and 28th:

http://home.comcast.net/~smirick//SandhillCranes.jpg

And details with photos
--------------------------------
29 Sandhill Cranes in Norridgewock, Maine on November 20. Louis Bevier.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lrbevier/15836842635

24 Sandhill Cranes in Hampton, NH on November 27 (about 11:30 AM) Mike
Thompson & Jason Lambert.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jlambert614/15715855808/

24 Sandhill Cranes in Newburyport, MA on November 28 (about 8:10 AM)
Derek Lovitch

23 Sandhill Cranes in New Haven, CT on November 28 (about 2:00 PM) Dana
Campbell et al

Steve Mirick
Bradford, MA

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[Maine-birds] Northern Maine Birds: Snowy Owls Presque Isle

There are a few Snowy Owls being reported in Presque Isle these days. This AM, I ran out to check on one just south of town on the Center Line Road. The bird was cooperative and hung out on the utility poles here. Its a busy stretch of road with narrow shoulders so not a great spot to spend time observing.

Another Snowy was reported in the area (two seen at once) but I didn't lay eyes on a second.

In fields just south of the owl was a large flock of Snow Buntings that stopped in the road t get grit. I found one that was injured and picked it up off the busy road. A few minutes in the warm truck and it was looking good and apparently recovered. I rolled down the window and out it flew!

I put up a list with a couple photos in eBird. http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20723778

A lingering Rusty Blackbird was reported in Mapleton and several Northern Cardinals have been seen in the area in the past couple weeks

Cheers

Bill

Bill Sheehan
Woodland, Aroostook Co., Maine
http://northernmainebirds.blogspot.com/

[Maine-birds] Re: Rockland Junco

I think that the lack of an abrupt meeting of the dark head, throat, and chest to the brownish sides, would make this a slate-colored. In slate-colored, the dark head, throat, and chest diffuses more into the brown sides as this bird shows.

-Kyle

On Saturday, November 29, 2014 6:48:17 AM UTC-4, Don Reimer wrote:

An apparent Oregon-type junco visited the yard and feeders at 133 Water Street in Rockland yesterday (across from former waterfront MBNA building and now Boston Financial offices.)

Don

[Maine-birds] bluebirds kennebunk

2 males at suet feeders at 3:30 Sat. - brief visit. Nice addition to Feeder Watch list!

[Maine-birds] Crows/Hawks

Group of five Crows dive bombing two Redtails in Pine Trees off Rt.1 Rockport.
Skip/Linda Small

Sent from my iPhone

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[Maine-birds] Rockland Junko

Thanks for the interest and input on the Rockland junco. Having personally seen numerous immature female juncos with varying degrees of brownish flanks (and in some cases, including parts of the mantle), the possibility of a straight forward Slate-colored Junco had entered my mind. And that may indeed be the case in this instance. The extent and intensity of brown on this particular bird lead to an initial conclusion of possible Oregon-type. Maine-Birds remains as an ideal forum for sharing sightings and examining birds together while drawing on a broad range and depth of field experience.

Don

[Maine-birds] Townsends Solitaire

after a three hour wait.... John Heath spotted the bird when it flew into the winter berry...it stayed for 30 seconds.. then flew to the multiflora Rose and hung around there for a while.. still hangin Rob Cumberland Maine

[Maine-birds] EURASIAN WIGEON, Scarborough, 11/29

Hello all,

Eddie Woodin asked me to pass along his sighting of a Eurasian Wigeon in with American Wigeons at Grondin Pond in Scarborough this morning. The bird has been present since about 9:00.

-Jeannette

*****************************************
Derek and Jeannette Lovitch
Freeport Wild Bird Supply
541 Route One, Suite 10
Freeport, ME 04069
207-865-6000
www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com

****************************************

[Maine-birds] Townsend's Solitaire continues, Freeport,11/29

Hi all,
My Saturday Morning Birdwalk group and I enjoyed the TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE this morning at Florida Lake Park between 8:35 and 9:00am.

It's still coming in for the last fruits of the Winterberry in the center of the narrow isthmus between the marsh and the main pond, but was also foraging in the northwestern corner of the park.

-Derek

Sent from my iPhone

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[Maine-birds] Re: Rockland Junco

Looks like a female Slate-colored to me.

Good birding,
Fyn

[Maine-birds] Rockland Junco

An apparent Oregon-type junco visited the yard and feeders at 133 Water Street in Rockland yesterday (across from former waterfront MBNA building and now Boston Financial offices.)

Don

Friday, 28 November 2014

[Maine-birds] Townsend ' s Solitaire

Finally got to Freeport. Solitaire was there today around 3:00. Be sure to wear orange. We saw a hunter who reminded us that muzzle loading season continues next week.
Howard Lake

Re: [Maine-birds] Common Redpoll, Beech Hill Preserve, Rockport

I, too, had eleven plucky Redpoll this morning, in Alton, ME. Heard them flying overhead and phished them down to a near tree. When they took off, I phished them back. Curious little buggers. A chill 14 degrees, but no wind. A stunning morning to be out.

Rob Speirs Cumberland

On Fri, Nov 28, 2014 at 6:24 PM, Kristen Lindquist <kelindquist@gmail.com> wrote:

To add to the irruptive list: birder friend Brian Willson photographed a Common Redpoll on Beech Hill today.

Kristen

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Camden, ME
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"What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
--Mary Oliver

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[Maine-birds] Common Redpoll, Beech Hill Preserve, Rockport

To add to the irruptive list: birder friend Brian Willson photographed a Common Redpoll on Beech Hill today.

Kristen

Kristen Lindquist
Camden, ME
www.klindquist.blogspot.com

"What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
--Mary Oliver

[Maine-birds] Monhegan, Horned Lark

Saw 10 Horned Larks near the dock this morning. Went back at 3pm and saw just this one.

No Snowy Owl sightings for over a week.

I saw a Great Blue Heron along the shore south of Fish Beach Tuesday morning.

Purple Finches and Goldfinches still at my feeders daily.

[Maine-birds] Additional Highlights This Week and Goose Fields Update, 11/22-28

Hi all,

A few more of my additional sightings of note this week included:

- 100+ Horned Larks and 4 Snow Buntings, Mayall Rd, Gray/New Gloucester, 11/23.

- 1 Winter Wren and 5 Swamp Sparrows, Fort Foster, Kittery, 11/25 (with Jeannette).

- 1 Hermit Thrush, The Nubble neighborhood, Cape Neddick, 11/25 (with Jeannette).

- 4 Harlequin Ducks, The Nubble, 11/25 (with Jeannette).

- 2 Red-winged Blackbirds, Community Park, Wells, 11/25 (with Jeannette).

- 1 Common Grackle, feeders here at the store, 11/26.

And the "Greater Yarmouth Goose Fields" update this week:

- 1 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE continues through at least 11/23. I did not find it in poor visibility in falling snow on Wednesday, and as of Friday, birds had not yet returned to the snowy fields. It could still be in the area, however, as geese will continue to filter back into the fields as snow melts over the coming days.

- the leucistic Canada Goose appears to have departed, with my last sighting of it being on 11/18.

- my high count of Canada Geese this week was 841 on 11/23.

-Derek

[Maine-birds] Richmond Uncommon Redpoll

I was surprised to hear and see a single Common Redpoll in the yard today. Hope there are more to come.

Turkey was great!

Best, Peter

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[Maine-birds] Snowy Owl - Hampden

Shortly before noon today, I found a Snowy Owl at the Hampden industrial park along Rte. 202 (same area where one was seen for awhile last winter). It was perched on the top back end of a Penske Truck Rental trailer, parked in line with 3 or 4 Penske white truck cabs.( Penske is the last business on the left). It had a considerable amount of dark "scalloping" on it, which up to several years ago would have indicated a young bird, but recent studies show this may not be accurate; so I'm deferring aging ( of the owl - not me, unfortunately!) to anyone with more experience. Jerry Smith arrived after I left and was able to get some pictures.

Thursday, 27 November 2014

Re: [Maine-birds] Thoughts about hummers in winter

I would add that there is a network of specially trained hummingbird banders who monitor reports of late season hammers, including those found in Maine. The birds (with homeowner permission) are trapped and banded. These records, as Scott notes, continue to provide information as to range expansion, migration dates and routes.

Stella

> On Nov 26, 2014, at 14:24, Peter Vickery <crescentchest@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Scott Weidensaul asked if I'd post the following regarding hummers in northern latitudes in winter:
>
> "As a hummingbird bander and researcher, I wanted to correct a common misconception that been reinforced by the "rescue" of a healthy rufous hummingbird in Minnesota, discussed yesterday on Maine Birds, which I read because of my work at Audubon's Hog Island camp (and my long-standing love of birding in Maine).
>
> "I agree that trapping and shipping that hummer to Texas was a mistake, but not for the reasons given.
>
> "Thanks to thousands of rufous hummingbirds that have been banded in the East and Southeast in recent decades -- including many originally banded in the Great Lakes states and later recaptured in the South -- we know that this sort of situation is common and increasingly normal for healthy rufous hummingbirds, and to a lesser extent several other western species. We're seeing the rapid evolution of a new migratory route and wintering area by birds that are able to tolerate extremely cold weather. Last winter in Pennsylvania, for instance, a number of rufous hummingbirds I and my colleagues banded survived air temps of -9F and wind chills of -35F for several days during the so-called polar vortex.
>
> "As evidence that the rufous hummer in Minnesota did not need to be hijacked and shipped to Texas, consider the fact that a rufous hummingbird banded in Wisconsin on Oct. 19 was recaptured this week in New Bern, NC, one of a number of rufous banded in the Great Lakes that were encountered, hale and fine, in the Southeast.
>
> "These birds do not need our help -- only our admiration.
>
> "With thanks,
>
> "Scott Weidensaul
> Schuylkill Haven, PA"
>
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[Maine-birds] Snowy Owl Now, Back Cove,Portland

There's a Snowy Owl along the 295 area, past the athletic fields, in the marshy area on a wood mound near the gardens

[Maine-birds] Northern Harrier

There was a late migrating Northern Harrier passing over Cadillac Mt late yesterday morning

Sent from Jim's iPhone

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Wednesday, 26 November 2014

[Maine-birds] Townsend's Solitaire

Everyone early in the day saw the bird, and folks were kind to show us the area, but my husband and I did not see the solitaire, between
noon and 1:00. We were the only ones looking in that time block after Rob (?) and his son (who was a little trooper in the wet snow) left.

Please continue to report, especially tomorrow morning to see if the bird survives this storm. I will head back.

In Bowdoinham at feeders this afternoon, 11 species

chickadees
white-breasted nuthatch
blue jays
mourning doves
female cardinal
male and female hairy woodpeckers
downy woodpecker
one lone song sparrow
dark eyed juncos
red-bellied woodpecker
lots of goldfinches

4 foxes playing in our front pastures in the snow
2 coyotes in the west pasture

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Re: [Maine-birds] Townsend's Solitaire continues, 1:30pm

I went out with my son at around noon. Decided to hell with the snow, lets go see a lifer. We arrived just as another gracious couple was exiting. We were able to watch the bird ferry back and forth between a winterberry bush on the peninsula and a large pine near where we were watching from. The snow was coming down pretty heavily and so the best picture I was able to capture was this one (Link). It seemed to want to hunker down in the bushes to get away from the snow. Ironically, so did my son, so we turned to head out and another couple was approaching so we were able to pass the torch to them. Hopefully they were fortunate enough to get some viewing time in as well.

Thanks everyone for posting the location and updates!

Rob O.

[Maine-birds] Thoughts about hummers in winter

Scott Weidensaul asked if I'd post the following regarding hummers in northern latitudes in winter:

"As a hummingbird bander and researcher, I wanted to correct a common misconception that been reinforced by the "rescue" of a healthy rufous hummingbird in Minnesota, discussed yesterday on Maine Birds, which I read because of my work at Audubon's Hog Island camp (and my long-standing love of birding in Maine).

"I agree that trapping and shipping that hummer to Texas was a mistake, but not for the reasons given.

"Thanks to thousands of rufous hummingbirds that have been banded in the East and Southeast in recent decades -- including many originally banded in the Great Lakes states and later recaptured in the South -- we know that this sort of situation is common and increasingly normal for healthy rufous hummingbirds, and to a lesser extent several other western species. We're seeing the rapid evolution of a new migratory route and wintering area by birds that are able to tolerate extremely cold weather. Last winter in Pennsylvania, for instance, a number of rufous hummingbirds I and my colleagues banded survived air temps of -9F and wind chills of -35F for several days during the so-called polar vortex.

"As evidence that the rufous hummer in Minnesota did not need to be hijacked and shipped to Texas, consider the fact that a rufous hummingbird banded in Wisconsin on Oct. 19 was recaptured this week in New Bern, NC, one of a number of rufous banded in the Great Lakes that were encountered, hale and fine, in the Southeast.

"These birds do not need our help -- only our admiration.

"With thanks,

"Scott Weidensaul
Schuylkill Haven, PA"

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Re: [Maine-birds] Townsend's Solitaire continues, 1:30pm

Saw the bird this morning around 10; he had been there for a bit (others were just leaving after having seen him). I watched him for about twenty minutes, and then he disappeared (I was distracted by a Belted Kingfisher rattle and looked away). He was around the little pond before you get the lake, in a big winterberry bush.

Thanks to everyone who's been reporting on this bird--a lifer for me!

Delia in Brunswick.

On Tue, Nov 25, 2014 at 1:38 PM, Doug Hitchcox <dhitchcox@mac.com> wrote:

Hey everyone:

I just got a call from Peter Vickery and wanted to pass along that he and others are currently viewing the TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE at Florida Lake in Freeport. The bird was not seen for awhile (including during my lunch break) so it is nice to hear the bird is still around. There wasn't a ton of winterberry left so I'd recommend going soon if you haven't tried for this bird yet.

Good birding,

Doug Hitchcox
Hollis, ME

On Nov 25, 2014, at 9:04 AM, mresch8702 via Maine birds <maine-birds@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Solitaire continues- perched atop maples along trail on the way to the wooden bridge, just 50 ft before that bridge on the right as you go out. Also heard calling and singing- recordings taken.

Mike Resch

Sent from AOL Mobile

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Re: [Maine-birds] Snowy Owl Fryeburg

Still there at 10:30 AM. This is in East Conway, NH the border is very close bye. Beautiful Bird.

Bob Crowley
Chatham, NH

On 11/26/2014 9:10 AM, Mik Oyler wrote:

A Snowy Owl is currently sitting in the recently tilled field on East Conway Rd. In Fryeburg in between Sherman Farm and the small sheep field acrosd from a small pond.

Mik Oyler
North Conway, NH
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[Maine-birds] Townsend's Solitaire- YES

The bird was still present as of 10:00am today. Great views as it flew from a snag on a mini 'island' to a winterberry. Thanks to all for directions and posts!
-Kyle

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[Maine-birds] Snowy Owl Fryeburg

A Snowy Owl is currently sitting in the recently tilled field on East Conway Rd. In Fryeburg in between Sherman Farm and the small sheep field acrosd from a small pond.

Mik Oyler
North Conway, NH

Tuesday, 25 November 2014

[Maine-birds] Bisson's Field - Topsham

I should have reported a large flock of Ring-Billed Gulls scattered over Bisson's Fields yesterday, probably worming. They are often there, but not in these numbers. Close to 500. If you can find a place to park, and a place to stand, they would be worth scoping for a Mew Gull.

On the other hand, geese haven't been giving Bisson's much of a play this fall. Maybe a couple dozen "park-geese" if any at all.

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[Maine-birds] Fun with Gray Jays

This time of year can be lots of fun just driving around the Maine woods.
Four of us spent the day on the roads between Rockwood and Seboomook, west
of Moosehead. As expected, finches remain few, though we did have three
Pine Grosbeaks in the road. The highlights of the day were the
particularly friendly Gray Jays. We tallied ten without trying. One family
of four came right in to investigate us. One pair rushed in as soon as
they heard a car approaching, and demanded food. I posted the jays to
http://www.facebook.com/MaineBirdingTrail.

Bob Duchesne

> Hello All,
>
> Sabattus Pond had more or less the same birds that Derek posted on his
> site
> a couple days ago: 600ish Ruddy Ducks, 300+ Common Merg, est. 150-200
> Scaup of both flavors, Buffleheads and Hoodies in good number, 9 coots. 3
> Bald Eagles were shuffling the birds around. One Loon and a few Mallard
> and Blacks.
>
> Lake Auburn had only 2 Horned Grebes and 65 Canada Geese.
>
> Two Wood Duck from the Durham Boat Launch on the Androscoggin River.
>
> Most notable were 3 groups of Ring-billed Ducks each 100 to 225 each in
> fields following yesterdays rains. Five Great Black-backed Gulls at the
> falls in L/A were probably storm related. A block on feeding the ducks
> has
> dropped the number there from 200+ to about a dozen.
>
> And a Peregrine Falcon on the steeple of the Franco-American Center in
> Lewiston.
>
> Dan Nickerson
> Freeport ME
>
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[Maine-birds] L/A Sabattus lakes and rivers

Hello All,

Sabattus Pond had more or less the same birds that Derek posted on his site a couple days ago: 600ish Ruddy Ducks, 300+ Common Merg, est. 150-200 Scaup of both flavors, Buffleheads and Hoodies in good number, 9 coots. 3 Bald Eagles were shuffling the birds around. One Loon and a few Mallard and Blacks.

Lake Auburn had only 2 Horned Grebes and 65 Canada Geese.

Two Wood Duck from the Durham Boat Launch on the Androscoggin River.

Most notable were 3 groups of Ring-billed Ducks each 100 to 225 each in fields following yesterdays rains. Five Great Black-backed Gulls at the falls in L/A were probably storm related. A block on feeding the ducks has dropped the number there from 200+ to about a dozen.

And a Peregrine Falcon on the steeple of the Franco-American Center in Lewiston.

Dan Nickerson

Freeport ME

[Maine-birds] Townsend's Solitaire - YES, with photos

I was fortunate enough to view the Townsend's Solitaire with several others this afternoon from about 1:30 until 2:00pm. The bird was seen primarily in the Winterberry along Florida Lake trail (Freeport) as described by earlier posts.

It was a lifer for me. Thank you to those who posted info on it.

I posted a few (partially obscured) photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kevin_couture/

Kevin Couture

South Berwick, ME

Re: [Maine-birds] Townsend's Solitaire continues, 1:30pm

Tom Hayward and I enjoyed watching the Townsend's Solitaire from ~ 2: 30 p.m. to 3: 15. Very cooperative bird. Lovely pattern on the wings. Cindy Elias

On Tuesday, November 25, 2014 1:38:25 PM UTC-5, Doug Hitchcox wrote:

Hey everyone:

I just got a call from Peter Vickery and wanted to pass along that he and others are currently viewing the TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE at Florida Lake in Freeport. The bird was not seen for awhile (including during my lunch break) so it is nice to hear the bird is still around. There wasn't a ton of winterberry left so I'd recommend going soon if you haven't tried for this bird yet.

Good birding,

Doug Hitchcox
Hollis, ME

On Nov 25, 2014, at 9:04 AM, mresch8702 via Maine birds <maine...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Solitaire continues- perched atop maples along trail on the way to the wooden bridge, just 50 ft before that bridge on the right as you go out. Also heard calling and singing- recordings taken.

Mike Resch

Sent from AOL Mobile

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[Maine-birds] Belfast Bay census of Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014

Nice warm weather made for pleasant birding conditions. Twenty-one species were seen with especially low number of Herring Gulls (57). The complete count can be found on ebird at

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20669883

Ron Harrell

Re: [Maine-birds] Townsend's Solitaire continues, 1:30pm

Hey everyone:

I just got a call from Peter Vickery and wanted to pass along that he and others are currently viewing the TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE at Florida Lake in Freeport. The bird was not seen for awhile (including during my lunch break) so it is nice to hear the bird is still around. There wasn't a ton of winterberry left so I'd recommend going soon if you haven't tried for this bird yet.

Good birding,

Doug Hitchcox

Hollis, ME

On Nov 25, 2014, at 9:04 AM, mresch8702 via Maine birds <maine-birds@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Solitaire continues- perched atop maples along trail on the way to the wooden bridge, just 50 ft before that bridge on the right as you go out. Also heard calling and singing- recordings taken.

Mike Resch

Sent from AOL Mobile

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[Maine-birds] Lower Kimball Pond ME/NH

This morning there were 16 Common Golden-eyes and 1 Common Loon on the
Fryeburg, Maine side and 101 Canada Geese and 3 Common Mergansers on the
Chatham, NH side of the pond.

Bob Crowley
Chatham, NH

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RE: [Maine-birds] Fwd: (APW) Lost Hummingbird Gets Lift From St. Paul to Texas

I saw that story too, and it's nice that people want to help out.

But I had to wonder about efficacy as I read it. Firstly, most vagrants probably perish, as they end up someplace they are not suited to live (like Michigan in the winter for a RUHU). That individual loss can connect to us on an emotional level, as we feel for the little bird that is so beautiful and moves us in some way to help, and is clearly in a bind.

But the fact is that this bird's internal compass is crooked. It will likely migrate incorrectly next summer and again next Fall, if it lives that long. It is an anomaly that nature will likely select against genetically.

Secondly the cost involved in chartering a private jet, and the consumption of jet fuel and impact on the environment is pretty high. There is a cost here too, if that money had been donated to protect habitat, and the fuel never burned, would that be a greater net gain to birds in general?

Sometimes it's hard to balance our emotional response with our logical minds.

===============================
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

From: maine-birds@googlegroups.com [mailto:maine-birds@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of William Laverty
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2014 4:46 PM
To: Maine birds
Subject: [Maine-birds] Fwd: (APW) Lost Hummingbird Gets Lift From St. Paul to Texas

A heart warming story just in time for Thanksgiving

Bill Laverty

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: "William Laverty (FIDELITY CAPITAL MKT)" <wlaverty1@bloomberg.net>
Date: November 24, 2014 at 4:36:11 PM EST
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: (APW) Lost Hummingbird Gets Lift From St. Paul to Texas
Reply-To: "William Laverty" <wlaverty1@bloomberg.net>

(APW) Lost Hummingbird Gets Lift From St. Paul to Texas

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Lost Hummingbird Gets Lift From St. Paul to Texas
2014-11-24 21:35:27.749 GMT

    St. Paul, Minn. (AP) -- A rufous hummingbird has finally
made its way south for the winter after accidentally ending up
in Minnesota.
    The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota says the
hummingbird was released Sunday in Texas after boarding a
private jet supplied by an anonymous owner. The bird was brought
to the Roseville wildlife center earlier this month after it
ended up at the feeder of a St. Paul homeowner. The woman
rescued the hummingbird after she realized it wasn't likely to
survive the unseasonably cold weather.
    The Star Tribune (http://strib.mn/1FkKfFH ) reports that
experts believe the same system that brought the wintry weather
blew the rust-colored bird off its migratory course.
    The executive director of the wildlife center says there
have only been 16 documented sightings of rufous hummingbirds in
Minnesota since the 1970s.
    ___
    Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com
-0- Nov/24/2014 21:35 GMT