[Maine-birds] Re: Ruff at Weskeag Marsh continues, Friday morning

Hey all, I was thinking of heading up this afternoon and would appreciate any updates positive or negative about the RUFF. Last eBird record was from 9AM today so hoping it hasn't decided to head off in the interim. 

Cheers and good birding to all!

On Friday, May 20, 2016 at 7:25:23 AM UTC-4, Louis Bevier wrote:

Don Reimer called to report the RUFF is in the front pools at Weskeag marsh this morning. I'm sure the light on the bird makes it stunning.

Two things: directions and Maine Bird Records Committee review

1) Directions

The area of marsh is viewed from Buttermilk Lane at the Thomaston/South Thomaston border (most of the marsh in the latter town). This is south/east of Route 1. There is on obvious pull-out on the southwest side (one's right) as you head down Buttermilk Lane. The pools where the bird is are just down the road where the creek channel crosses the road. These are the coordinates for the parking area: 44°04'44.5"N 69°08'30.1"W

This link (http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L450156) shows the spot in eBird. Clicking on the map at the upper right will show the location, and the box that shows has a link for directions (link to Google maps with coordinates above).

2) Ruff is a review species in Maine

The Maine Bird Records Committee added Ruff to its review list for records from 2000 onward. The species was much more regular in the Northeast generally from the late 1970s through early 1990s but has become quite scarce since then. There is, however, an uptick in occurrences over the past few years. Please consider adding your descriptions and photos to eBird and sending those notes or your own separate description and photos to our Secretary, Becky Marvil (link here: https://sites.google.com/site/mainebirdrecordscommittee/rare-bird-report-form).

Every little bit adds to our knowledge of birds, even if something is as stunning and "easy" to identify as a male Ruff in breeding plumage. This male is a smaller male and may be a younger aged adult. Rufous maned birds like this one are typically mid-sized individuals, with black maned birds generally smaller and white maned birds larger. Take the time to look carefully at this bird and take some notes. It's a pure joy to watch him. Here are mine from yesterday: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S29776412

Louis Bevier

Fairfield

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