Maine birds And MOAC mountainbiking

Sunday, 31 July 2016

[Maine-birds] Re: Odd(well at least to me) Heron/Egret at Pelreco

Thanks all for the feedback. I thought when I pulled the report for hybrid SNEG's in the current year, nothing came up for Maine so I was not aware of the other sightings. Glad to have this head scratcher scratched.

The irony is that I told my wife that while we were in the marsh I was hoping a Tricolored Heron would show up. Well I guess 50% is better than nothing!

I have altered my ebird list to be a Hybrid SNEG-Tricolored.

Cheers, Rob

On Sunday, July 31, 2016 at 12:23:59 AM UTC-4, Rob O'Connell wrote:

After kayaking all day through Scarborough Marsh, we swung by the Pelreco building this evening and there was not much going on. There were a couple of Snowy Egrets and a Great Egret. The Little Blue Heron was out there as well but then we noticed another Heron/Egret type bird. We studied it for about a half hour but it seemed to share attributes of different birds but not one I could easily say was definitively it. Home we went to research it. Here are some of the pictures.
In Flight
Side by side with SNEG
Standing
My first thought was a Little Blue in transition from white to blue, or possibly(but unlikely) a Tri-Colored, but every time I found a feature that seemed to fit something, another feature seemed to throw that candidate out the window.
I have entered it into eBird tentatively as a Little Blue/Snowy Egret Hybrid but would certainly love to be corrected. In looking at hybrids online there were several that seemed similar.

Here are the details. We watched from 6:15PM to 6:45PM this evening. It started out being towards the back of the closer pools on the left. When feeding it was very active. Running at times to chase its prey. Sometimes it was just standing. Part of the time we could only see its head but it did give good views with scope/bins and decent photo opportunities for most of the time despite the distance.

Interactions with other birds. It was alone at first, before being approached by a Snowy Egret. There was a bit of posturing between the two before the Snowy Egret decided to take off. A short time later this bird flew out to a more distant pool and was on the opposite side from the Little Blue which took off moments later, too soon for me to get a comparative look unfortunately. . About 4-5 minutes after this, the Great Egret flew out and landed right beside this bird and these two seemed not to have any issues being in close proximity.

Appearance: The most obvious feature was the mottled purplish-grey and white covering its body. The darker color covered the majority of the neck with a bit of a white stripe down the front. It was also present more heavily on the marginal coverts. Other than that it was sort of mixed in around the bird.The white was on the primaries/secondaries and belly, but stood out on the crown, where it had "lacy plumes" that were shorter than a Snowy Egret, and around the eyes most of all. The eyes/lores were similar to the Snowy Egret, very yellow (not yellow green). The bill was very dark more like a Snowy Egret but was shaped more like a Little Blue Heron's. The chin feathers did not come out as far on the bill as the Snowy or Great Egrets. The legs on this bird were dark but not as dark as a Snowy or as light as a Little Blue. The feet appeared yellow in flight giving it a bit of the Snowy Egret feel, but as noted in the standing shot, it was they were dark on top but yellow on the bottom of the feet. Also the legs were not identical as one had more yellow/green towards the top.

Please help me before the madness sets in!

Cheers and thanks,
Rob O'Connell

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[Maine-birds] Re: Odd(well at least to me) Heron/Egret at Pelreco

I observed what appears to be the same bird on Friday at the end of Seavey's Landing;

http://ebird.org/ebird/me/view/checklist/S30901874

I believe it is one of the Snowy Egret x Tricolored Heron hybrids that have been at Scarborough Marsh for the past few years.

On Sunday, July 31, 2016 at 12:23:59 AM UTC-4, Rob O'Connell wrote:

After kayaking all day through Scarborough Marsh, we swung by the Pelreco building this evening and there was not much going on. There were a couple of Snowy Egrets and a Great Egret. The Little Blue Heron was out there as well but then we noticed another Heron/Egret type bird. We studied it for about a half hour but it seemed to share attributes of different birds but not one I could easily say was definitively it. Home we went to research it. Here are some of the pictures.
In Flight
Side by side with SNEG
Standing
My first thought was a Little Blue in transition from white to blue, or possibly(but unlikely) a Tri-Colored, but every time I found a feature that seemed to fit something, another feature seemed to throw that candidate out the window.
I have entered it into eBird tentatively as a Little Blue/Snowy Egret Hybrid but would certainly love to be corrected. In looking at hybrids online there were several that seemed similar.

Here are the details. We watched from 6:15PM to 6:45PM this evening. It started out being towards the back of the closer pools on the left. When feeding it was very active. Running at times to chase its prey. Sometimes it was just standing. Part of the time we could only see its head but it did give good views with scope/bins and decent photo opportunities for most of the time despite the distance.

Interactions with other birds. It was alone at first, before being approached by a Snowy Egret. There was a bit of posturing between the two before the Snowy Egret decided to take off. A short time later this bird flew out to a more distant pool and was on the opposite side from the Little Blue which took off moments later, too soon for me to get a comparative look unfortunately. . About 4-5 minutes after this, the Great Egret flew out and landed right beside this bird and these two seemed not to have any issues being in close proximity.

Appearance: The most obvious feature was the mottled purplish-grey and white covering its body. The darker color covered the majority of the neck with a bit of a white stripe down the front. It was also present more heavily on the marginal coverts. Other than that it was sort of mixed in around the bird.The white was on the primaries/secondaries and belly, but stood out on the crown, where it had "lacy plumes" that were shorter than a Snowy Egret, and around the eyes most of all. The eyes/lores were similar to the Snowy Egret, very yellow (not yellow green). The bill was very dark more like a Snowy Egret but was shaped more like a Little Blue Heron's. The chin feathers did not come out as far on the bill as the Snowy or Great Egrets. The legs on this bird were dark but not as dark as a Snowy or as light as a Little Blue. The feet appeared yellow in flight giving it a bit of the Snowy Egret feel, but as noted in the standing shot, it was they were dark on top but yellow on the bottom of the feet. Also the legs were not identical as one had more yellow/green towards the top.

Please help me before the madness sets in!

Cheers and thanks,
Rob O'Connell

[Maine-birds] Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Two of the continuing juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Herons were at Great Pond this morning 7/31 around 7am. They were on the left side of the pond (when viewed from 1st St.) feeding alongside a juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron.

[Maine-birds] Re: Odd(well at least to me) Heron/Egret at Pelreco

Could it be the Tricolored x Snowy hybrid that has been known to hang out in the marsh?

On Sunday, July 31, 2016 at 12:23:59 AM UTC-4, Rob O'Connell wrote:

After kayaking all day through Scarborough Marsh, we swung by the Pelreco building this evening and there was not much going on. There were a couple of Snowy Egrets and a Great Egret. The Little Blue Heron was out there as well but then we noticed another Heron/Egret type bird. We studied it for about a half hour but it seemed to share attributes of different birds but not one I could easily say was definitively it. Home we went to research it. Here are some of the pictures.
In Flight
Side by side with SNEG
Standing
My first thought was a Little Blue in transition from white to blue, or possibly(but unlikely) a Tri-Colored, but every time I found a feature that seemed to fit something, another feature seemed to throw that candidate out the window.
I have entered it into eBird tentatively as a Little Blue/Snowy Egret Hybrid but would certainly love to be corrected. In looking at hybrids online there were several that seemed similar.

Here are the details. We watched from 6:15PM to 6:45PM this evening. It started out being towards the back of the closer pools on the left. When feeding it was very active. Running at times to chase its prey. Sometimes it was just standing. Part of the time we could only see its head but it did give good views with scope/bins and decent photo opportunities for most of the time despite the distance.

Interactions with other birds. It was alone at first, before being approached by a Snowy Egret. There was a bit of posturing between the two before the Snowy Egret decided to take off. A short time later this bird flew out to a more distant pool and was on the opposite side from the Little Blue which took off moments later, too soon for me to get a comparative look unfortunately. . About 4-5 minutes after this, the Great Egret flew out and landed right beside this bird and these two seemed not to have any issues being in close proximity.

Appearance: The most obvious feature was the mottled purplish-grey and white covering its body. The darker color covered the majority of the neck with a bit of a white stripe down the front. It was also present more heavily on the marginal coverts. Other than that it was sort of mixed in around the bird.The white was on the primaries/secondaries and belly, but stood out on the crown, where it had "lacy plumes" that were shorter than a Snowy Egret, and around the eyes most of all. The eyes/lores were similar to the Snowy Egret, very yellow (not yellow green). The bill was very dark more like a Snowy Egret but was shaped more like a Little Blue Heron's. The chin feathers did not come out as far on the bill as the Snowy or Great Egrets. The legs on this bird were dark but not as dark as a Snowy or as light as a Little Blue. The feet appeared yellow in flight giving it a bit of the Snowy Egret feel, but as noted in the standing shot, it was they were dark on top but yellow on the bottom of the feet. Also the legs were not identical as one had more yellow/green towards the top.

Please help me before the madness sets in!

Cheers and thanks,
Rob O'Connell

Saturday, 30 July 2016

[Maine-birds] Odd(well at least to me) Heron/Egret at Pelreco

After kayaking all day through Scarborough Marsh, we swung by the Pelreco building this evening and there was not much going on. There were a couple of Snowy Egrets and a Great Egret. The Little Blue Heron was out there as well but then we noticed another Heron/Egret type bird. We studied it for about a half hour but it seemed to share attributes of different birds but not one I could easily say was definitively it. Home we went to research it. Here are some of the pictures.

In Flight

Side by side with SNEG

Standing

My first thought was a Little Blue in transition from white to blue, or possibly(but unlikely) a Tri-Colored, but every time I found a feature that seemed to fit something, another feature seemed to throw that candidate out the window.

I have entered it into eBird tentatively as a Little Blue/Snowy Egret Hybrid but would certainly love to be corrected. In looking at hybrids online there were several that seemed similar.

Here are the details. We watched from 6:15PM to 6:45PM this evening. It started out being towards the back of the closer pools on the left. When feeding it was very active. Running at times to chase its prey. Sometimes it was just standing. Part of the time we could only see its head but it did give good views with scope/bins and decent photo opportunities for most of the time despite the distance.

Interactions with other birds. It was alone at first, before being approached by a Snowy Egret. There was a bit of posturing between the two before the Snowy Egret decided to take off. A short time later this bird flew out to a more distant pool and was on the opposite side from the Little Blue which took off moments later, too soon for me to get a comparative look unfortunately. . About 4-5 minutes after this, the Great Egret flew out and landed right beside this bird and these two seemed not to have any issues being in close proximity.

Appearance: The most obvious feature was the mottled purplish-grey and white covering its body. The darker color covered the majority of the neck with a bit of a white stripe down the front. It was also present more heavily on the marginal coverts. Other than that it was sort of mixed in around the bird.The white was on the primaries/secondaries and belly, but stood out on the crown, where it had "lacy plumes" that were shorter than a Snowy Egret, and around the eyes most of all. The eyes/lores were similar to the Snowy Egret, very yellow (not yellow green). The bill was very dark more like a Snowy Egret but was shaped more like a Little Blue Heron's. The chin feathers did not come out as far on the bill as the Snowy or Great Egrets. The legs on this bird were dark but not as dark as a Snowy or as light as a Little Blue. The feet appeared yellow in flight giving it a bit of the Snowy Egret feel, but as noted in the standing shot, it was they were dark on top but yellow on the bottom of the feet. Also the legs were not identical as one had more yellow/green towards the top.

Please help me before the madness sets in!

Cheers and thanks,

Rob O'Connell

[Maine-birds] any recent LIEG sightings?

Has anyone seen the Little Egret recently?
Today was my 5th try at Gilsland…..saw several snowy egrets and one great egret.

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[Maine-birds] Yellow-crowned Night-herons

I went looking for the herons this morning. After striking out at Great
Pond yesterday morning I checked the trees around the small pond in
Southpoint Sanctuary next to Great Pond. I found 2 juvs in the trees. I
should have checked here yesterday. The pond looks more like one of the
dried up pannes in Scarborough Marsh these days.

Turk

Cape Porpoise

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[Maine-birds] Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Is now present at Great Pond. With many other beautiful birds.

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[Maine-birds] Shorebirds at Flat Bay, Harrington

Shorebird migration continues to pile up the Semi-palmated Sandpipers in the hundreds, over 160 Short-billed Dowitchers, Laughing Gulls, Common Terns and all the other regular stuff. Whimbrels were counted at 66 at today's low tide.

The best bird of the day was a beautiful Long-billed Dowitcher close to Merle's favorite granite ledge viewpoint. This is a first for us at Flat Bay.

Merle and Anne Archie

Harrington, ME

[Maine-birds] Biddeford the Unexpected

I was at Great Pond last night and at one point we had 10 Black-crowned at once. Was also hoping for a Yellow-crowned but did not leave disappointed. This was my 1st trip to Great Pond and what a beautiful spot. The variety and numbers were definitely high. I'll be back!!

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Friday, 29 July 2016

[Maine-birds] Biddeford the Unexpected

After visiting Scarborough Marsh, Charlie Nims, Rick Steber and I went to Biddeford Pool. We parked at the lot at the end of Elphis Road and went first to scan the ocean and beach. To our surprise it was a bit like December in July. The first birds we saw were a M/F pair of black scoters, followed by a female white-winged scoter, a red-throated loon near a common loon, and a red-necked grebe. We expected shorebirds but all we had were a dozen semi-palmated plovers on the beach and two turnstones on the rocks offshore. Strange day.

So we went back to land birds, looking for night herons. We did not go to Great Pond right away; we first went along the ocean side of the pond that runs from the Elphis Road parking lot to the Spiritual Center. We found a total of 8 black-crowned night herons, 3 adults and 5 juveniles. They were at both ends of the pond and on the side facing us. Most were at the water's edge but they also spent time in the trees and in flight. We checked them carefully, looking for the swiss dot backs of the yellow-crowned night herons, but we didn't get any.

We then went to Great Pond next door and looked for night herons there. We had one adult and one juvenile, both black-crowned. I suspect both of them had just wandered over from the other pond only a few yards away.

That's one of the beauties of birding - we don't often get what we expect, but we do get some nice surprises.

Joe Scott

Chatham NH

[Maine-birds] Odd duck in South Portland

This looks like an Odd young duck to me. Maybe it is a young Mallard, but not like one I have seen. Does anyone know what it is?

I put 3 pics on my Flicker page.

https://flic.kr/p/JGgU8A

Thanks,

Bill

[Maine-birds] Weskeag/Thomaston

At high tide this morning, a single glossy ibis probing the roadside pools. Also a few shorebirds - both yellowlegs, 1 s-b dowitcher and small flocks of semi-pal and least sandpiper. A momentary pass by a young peregrine. On a Thomaston rooftop, I photographed an unusual American Crow with a super-length curved lower mandible that extended an inch or so beyond the upper mandible. The crow lowers himself to a slightly horizontal posture to scoop up available food items. This crow's unique mandibular tool appeared to work perfectly well for extracting insects(?) from among corrugated metal roofing seams. It also made a formidable weapon when jabbed emphatically at the chests of two competing crows. Ring-billed gull numbers are building around the harbor side, and a leg-banded Montreal gull, F2Z, has returned to Rockland for a 4th year from his Canadian nesting colony.

Don

[Maine-birds] Red phalaropes?

I think I may have had some red phalaropes in the mix here but have never done this ID before. I’ve been focusing on red color on the undersides, pale color on bill, and thicker bill. Appreciate any feedback from the experts out there…

https://flic.kr/s/aHskDG5hPG

Cheers,

Dave

Thursday, 28 July 2016

RE: [Maine-birds] Yellow-crowned Night Herons (3) at Great Pond, Biddeford Pool

I was able to shoot down there after work and was able to locate one Juv. YCNH and 2 Juv. BCNH. One adult BCNH that showed up just before I left. I managed to sneak in between downpours but the activity level in the pond was amazing. A Great Blue Heron and 17 Snowy Egrets also shared the far side from the stone bench with a deer that meandered back and forth. Swallows and Waxwings were hunting insects around the edges while some Common Terns were feeding in the middle. The outer edge was a mass of movement with peeps of all sorts skittering around as well. I was able to identify Semipalmated, Spotted, Least, and Pectoral Sandpipers as well as Semipalmated Plover, and a couple of Sanderlings. It had poured as I was driving down Main St. in Saco heading there and I almost turned around. Soooo glad I did not. Thanks to Kevin and everyone else who posts here!

Cheers,

Rob

-----Original Message-----
From: maine-birds@googlegroups.com [mailto:maine-birds@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Kevin Couture
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2016 11:36 AM
To: Maine Birds List <maine-birds@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [Maine-birds] Yellow-crowned Night Herons (3) at Great Pond, Biddeford Pool

Birding with York Count Audubon Society group this morning we identified three juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Herons (YCNH) at Great Pond from First Street (granite bench area), Biddeford Pool, Biddeford. Previous reports have shown one YCNH. This morning, however, we had three visible at the same time. Additionally, we saw 3 juvenile, 1 first summer, and at least 2 adult Black-crowned Night Herons at this location. Frequently we could get the two species in the same spotting scope for easy comparison.

The birds are across the pond so spotting scopes are extremely helpful.

Kevin C.
South Berwick, ME

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[Maine-birds] Glossy Ibis - Wells

Yesterday, my husband spotted a Glossy Ibis while walking in our neighborhood He saw it in a pond on private property on Willow Way just off Haraseeket Rd in Wells. He was able to watch it for several minutes before it flew off.

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[Maine-birds] Disappearance of grey squirrels

Re: Boots' entry about trapping being illegal and unwise: one should keep in mind, also, that parent animals are taken away from their young, who have no chance of survival.

Come to think, I haven't seen as many grey squirrels lately as earlier this summer, but did have a front row seat when a fox killed one yesterday.

Mary Lou in Sullivan

Sent from my iPad

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Re: Fw: [Maine-birds] Disappearance of gray squirrels

I have fewer right now but something finished off my suet in the night, and it wasn't a bear. It could have been a raccoon; the cat was going nuts.

On Thu, Jul 28, 2016 at 1:25 PM, Sean Smith <therefromhere168@gmail.com> wrote:

From: Sean Smith

Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2016 1:25 PM

To: David Thomson

Subject: Re: [Maine-birds] Disappearance of gray squirrels

I'm wondering if there was a weather-related catastrophe resulting in them drowning in their nests.   For the past several years there have been "regulars" who show up to get peanuts almost on a daily basis, extreme weather precluding.      And normally they're running around everywhere, crossing roads, etc.     They know where to find food (my house) so if they were just hungry they'd be here... none in almost 2 weeks.

I'm assuming their babies are raised in relation to food cycles which peak in autumn.    Hopefully they're just laying low...

Sean Smith

From: David Thomson

Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2016 1:00 PM

To: Sean Smith

Subject: Re: [Maine-birds] Disappearance of gray squirrels

Yes--in west Falmouth. However I live on a golf course, and the breeding #s of red tailed hawks is way up from last year: one brood has 3 fledglings that sit and scream all day, so I attribute some of the decline to the hawks. Do you think the downpour has any relation to squirrel declines, and why?. Dave Thomson Falmouth ME

On Thu, Jul 28, 2016 at 11:41 AM, Sean Smith <therefromhere168@gmail.com> wrote:

Slightly off topic but related, to anyone who's had to deal with their ingenuity at feeder-busting:   since the heavy torrential rain we had a couple weeks ago I'm seeing only one gray squirrel (a subadult) in a one mile vicinity of my home where prior to the rainstorm they were everywhere.   It looks like the population is down by 95-98% and it seems to have happened overnight.   Anyone else notice any similar drops in gray squirrel numbers?

Sean Smith

Bangor
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[Maine-birds] QUERY: Yellow-throated Vireo

I'm interested in observations of Yellow-throated Vireos, especially birds on territory, EAST of the Penobscot River, north of Bangor, and north of Waterville and Skowhegan.

Thanks.

Best, Peter

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[Maine-birds] Re: Mystery Bird in Biddeford?

bump

On Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at 5:35:24 AM UTC-4, Seth Davis wrote:

I don't want to jump to conclusions (who am I kidding, yes I do!!) but I was hoping to get a confirm on this bird in my yard yesterday in Biddeford. Thanks!

https://flic.kr/p/KuNDzS

https://flic.kr/p/K6NMhh

Re: [Maine-birds](off topic) Disappearance of gray squirrels

Regarding trapping and transporting of wildlife:

Trapping and transporting of wildlife is illegal in some states, including Massachusetts, where the Massachusetts Audubon Society works to educate the public about this practice.

From the Humane Society of the United States site:

"Although homeowners mean well, wild animals do not "settle in" quickly to new surroundings, no matter how inviting that habitat may seem to humans. In fact, the odds are heavily stacked against any animal who is dumped in a strange park, woodland, or other natural area."

Read more at the Humane Society of the United States site and find long term, safe and humane strategies for keeping squirrels out of homes at Massachusetts Audubon Society.

Boots.

Franklin, ME

On Thursday, July 28, 2016, Sean Smith <therefromhere168@gmail.com> wrote:

From: Sean Smith

Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2016 1:25 PM

To: David Thomson

Subject: Re: [Maine-birds] Disappearance of gray squirrels

I'm wondering if there was a weather-related catastrophe resulting in them drowning in their nests.   For the past several years there have been "regulars" who show up to get peanuts almost on a daily basis, extreme weather precluding.      And normally they're running around everywhere, crossing roads, etc.     They know where to find food (my house) so if they were just hungry they'd be here... none in almost 2 weeks.

I'm assuming their babies are raised in relation to food cycles which peak in autumn.    Hopefully they're just laying low...

Sean Smith

From: David Thomson

Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2016 1:00 PM

To: Sean Smith

Subject: Re: [Maine-birds] Disappearance of gray squirrels

Yes--in west Falmouth. However I live on a golf course, and the breeding #s of red tailed hawks is way up from last year: one brood has 3 fledglings that sit and scream all day, so I attribute some of the decline to the hawks. Do you think the downpour has any relation to squirrel declines, and why?. Dave Thomson Falmouth ME

On Thu, Jul 28, 2016 at 11:41 AM, Sean Smith <therefromhere168@gmail.com> wrote:

Slightly off topic but related, to anyone who's had to deal with their ingenuity at feeder-busting:   since the heavy torrential rain we had a couple weeks ago I'm seeing only one gray squirrel (a subadult) in a one mile vicinity of my home where prior to the rainstorm they were everywhere.   It looks like the population is down by 95-98% and it seems to have happened overnight.   Anyone else notice any similar drops in gray squirrel numbers?

Sean Smith

Bangor
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Fw: [Maine-birds] Disappearance of gray squirrels

From: Sean Smith

Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2016 1:25 PM

To: David Thomson

Subject: Re: [Maine-birds] Disappearance of gray squirrels

I'm wondering if there was a weather-related catastrophe resulting in them drowning in their nests. For the past several years there have been "regulars" who show up to get peanuts almost on a daily basis, extreme weather precluding. And normally they're running around everywhere, crossing roads, etc. They know where to find food (my house) so if they were just hungry they'd be here... none in almost 2 weeks.

I'm assuming their babies are raised in relation to food cycles which peak in autumn. Hopefully they're just laying low...

Sean Smith

From: David Thomson

Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2016 1:00 PM

To: Sean Smith

Subject: Re: [Maine-birds] Disappearance of gray squirrels

Yes--in west Falmouth. However I live on a golf course, and the breeding #s of red tailed hawks is way up from last year: one brood has 3 fledglings that sit and scream all day, so I attribute some of the decline to the hawks. Do you think the downpour has any relation to squirrel declines, and why?. Dave Thomson Falmouth ME

On Thu, Jul 28, 2016 at 11:41 AM, Sean Smith <therefromhere168@gmail.com> wrote:

Slightly off topic but related, to anyone who's had to deal with their ingenuity at feeder-busting: since the heavy torrential rain we had a couple weeks ago I'm seeing only one gray squirrel (a subadult) in a one mile vicinity of my home where prior to the rainstorm they were everywhere. It looks like the population is down by 95-98% and it seems to have happened overnight. Anyone else notice any similar drops in gray squirrel numbers?

Sean Smith

Bangor
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[Maine-birds] Disappearance of gray squirrels

I also have noticed a massive drop off. But I should also mention I've been using a havaheart trap and have relocated 5 Grey's 4 Reds and 7 chipmonks. Soooo nice to have my birds back!!

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[Maine-birds] Disappearance of gray squirrels

Slightly off topic but related, to anyone who's had to deal with their ingenuity at feeder-busting: since the heavy torrential rain we had a couple weeks ago I'm seeing only one gray squirrel (a subadult) in a one mile vicinity of my home where prior to the rainstorm they were everywhere. It looks like the population is down by 95-98% and it seems to have happened overnight. Anyone else notice any similar drops in gray squirrel numbers?

Sean Smith

Bangor

[Maine-birds] Yellow-crowned Night Herons (3) at Great Pond, Biddeford Pool

Birding with York Count Audubon Society group this morning we identified three juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Herons (YCNH) at Great Pond from First Street (granite bench area), Biddeford Pool, Biddeford. Previous reports have shown one YCNH. This morning, however, we had three visible at the same time. Additionally, we saw 3 juvenile, 1 first summer, and at least 2 adult Black-crowned Night Herons at this location. Frequently we could get the two species in the same spotting scope for easy comparison.

The birds are across the pond so spotting scopes are extremely helpful.

Kevin C.
South Berwick, ME

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[Maine-birds] MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND REPORT

I got back on the island late yesterday so haven't had much chance to look around but it's clear that the shorebirds are moving.
Of particular note are the dozens of SHORT BILLED DOWICHERS that are still around, intermixed with a few GREATER YELLOWLEGS.
Also of note were 3 or 4 RED KNOTS.
PEEPS are represented mainly by LEAST & SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS but I saw a few SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS & RUDDY TURNSTONES, a few (presumed) resident SPOTTED SANDPIPERS, as well as several uncertainly identified species.

There are still a lot of terns around,. Some of the fledglings are of amazing age. One beside our house that was on the brink of expiring, seemingly abandoned, has pulled through with renewed parental attention. It's now around 40 days old and still being fed. That's twice the normal time.

COMMON TERNS were scarce nesters but those that were here seem to have enjoyed decent success.

ARCTIC TERNS have had high losses, especially among the "B" (later) chicks. It seems that food is again a major issue. In the monitored nests it looks like around 50% mortality. That's short of last year's exceptional success but it's way better than the zero years.

Food is also an issue for the PUFFINS in what is shaping up to be a really bad year for them.
I'm told that a lot of dead PUFFLINGS are being seen and the survivors are grossly underdeveloped.
The outlook for them is not good.

There are also an unusual number of RAZORBILLS still on the island. On I brief walk along a small section of shoreline I saw 4 every small chicks

The MURRES, by way of contrast, are doing very well, including a 2nd wave.

Our SAVANNAH SPARROWS seem to be having a good year with lots of young birds evident from 1st & 2nd clutches.

Wednesday, 27 July 2016

[Maine-birds] Kestrel fledglings

Driving back from Waterville tonight on 137 in Unity there was a family of Kestrels at the roadside, 2 adults perched on the wire and 3 juveniles playing/hunting in the dirt at the end of a driveway. Nice end of day treat, hope they stay out of the road.

Sarah

[Maine-birds] Tropie the Red-billed Tropicbird. Yes!

Between Old Quarry Ocean Adventures and Seal Isand was pretty dead. We saw the usual coastal species but the only seabirds we saw were a single puffin and a single Northern Gannet. At the island there were still about 60 or more puffins in the water but few loafing on shore. A single Razorbill on the water. Cormorants and grey seals still hanging around the southern cliffs. The red-billed tropicbird came out early and preened and bathed off the side of the boat at about 20 yards for a couple of minutes before flying further out. We dont tend to chase after initial encounter as not to harass the bird, so we headed back.

[Maine-birds] Re: Question: Trying to identify a bird call

Listen to various species of Thrush...

On Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 4:31:51 PM UTC-4, Andy G wrote:

Hi all,

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I'm trying to identify a bird by it's call, and I figure someone must know.

It has a very echo-y call; one ascending note, followed by a descending note, then kind of an echo-y fading trill. It sounds a touch like breaking crystal.

It seems to be high up in the trees (hence trying to identify it by it's call), and ?might? prefer oak forests on hills?

It's out now, and has been for a least a month or so.

If anyone has any ideas, then I can look up the calls and compare! Thanks, and sorry to bother!

Andy

[Maine-birds] Yellow-headed Blackbird - Falmouth, 7/26

Just wanted to get the word out that a Yellow-headed Blackbird was photographed on a feeder at the Foreside Estates in Falmouth yesterday (26 July). It was seen a few times in the morning but not after ~12:45.

This is in the same general area the Little Egret has been hanging around so it's worth double-checking blackbirds if you're on an egret hunt.

Good birding,

Doug Hitchcox

Sent from my iPhone

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[Maine-birds] Mystery Bird in Biddeford?

I don't want to jump to conclusions (who am I kidding, yes I do!!) but I was hoping to get a confirm on this bird in my yard yesterday in Biddeford. Thanks!

https://flic.kr/p/KuNDzS

https://flic.kr/p/K6NMhh

[Maine-birds] Mystery bird in Biddeford?

I don't want to jump to conclusions (who am I kidding, yes I do!!) but I was hoping to get a confirm on this bird in my yard yesterday in Biddeford. Thanks!

[url=https://flic.kr/p/K6NMhh][img]https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8484/28289050980_3063d140ba_k.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/K6NMhh]Mystery Bird[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/131764509@N03/]Seth Davis[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/KuNDzS][img]https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8831/28549304496_09d3311dbd_k.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/KuNDzS]Mystery Bird Part 2[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/131764509@N03/]Seth Davis[/url], on Flickr

Tuesday, 26 July 2016

[Maine-birds] Trying to identify a bird call: Thank you!

Wow! This is an efficient group! I got too many replies to respond to individually, but I wanted to thank everyone for their help! After checking several bird's calls, it was indeed the Hermit Thrush! So beautiful!

Thanks again!

[Maine-birds] Re: Small Alcid

I mistook a Dovkie (found dead on the beach in December) for a juvenile razorbill last year...but quickly realized that we wouldn't have any juvenile razorbills around then ;)...so I understand your first impressions! Thanks for sharing a great list!

Karen - Lubec

On Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 12:13:45 PM UTC-4, dcow...@maine.rr.com wrote:

We had a beautiful morning off Jonesport yesterday with near glassy-smooth conditions. Being a sailboat under power and with limited time we only got about 15 miles out and had to head back at 11 to stay on schedule, but we encountered a nice front with several dozen shearwaters (most if not all GRSH - still need to comb through the photos), 2 gannets, several dozen red-necked phalaropes, and as many Wilson's-storm petrels. On the way out and back in we encountered great and double-crested cormorants, common and arctic terns, common loons, razorbills, guillemots, puffins, eiders, and the usual gulls. At least one common murre (teamed up with a lone razorbill).

The most curious of all was a small alcid that appeared about 10m off our port bow just as we were passing among the islands on the approach into Jonesport harbor. We were unable to stop and so our view was brief but clear, and as we cruised past the bird paddled away, black head forward and low to the water, overall impression mostly black with some white, short bill, chunky, and way too small to be any of the others we had seen. Never having seen a dovekie before (and not expecting to) I wasn't versed in specific field marks, but looking it up after the fact it appeared to be the closest match. That said everything I read says they are exclusively a winter bird and even then, only well offshore. I'm wondering what the seasoned downeast coastal birders on this feed might think of this possibility - has this species ever been documented anywhere near here in the summer? Other ideas on ID? Any and all ideas welcome - thanks in advance.

[Maine-birds] Question: Trying to identify a bird call

Hi all,

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I'm trying to identify a bird by it's call, and I figure someone must know.

It has a very echo-y call; one ascending note, followed by a descending note, then kind of an echo-y fading trill. It sounds a touch like breaking crystal.

It seems to be high up in the trees (hence trying to identify it by it's call), and ?might? prefer oak forests on hills?

It's out now, and has been for a least a month or so.

If anyone has any ideas, then I can look up the calls and compare! Thanks, and sorry to bother!

Andy

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Re: [Maine-birds] Small Alcid

Thanks to everyone who weighed in with suggestions that my mystery bird might have been a juvenile razorbill. I looked it up and the photos on line actually match our pint-sized perpetrator pretty well, as best as
I can recall anyway. In fact, I think I'll have to also reconsider our "common murre
accompanied by a razorbill" sighting. For that at least I have some photos I can
examine!

A great day all around and a good lesson to learn. Ya gotta log the hours!

Best,
Dave

---- dcowan01@maine.rr.com wrote:
> We had a beautiful morning off Jonesport yesterday with near glassy-smooth conditions. Being a sailboat under power and with limited time we only got about 15 miles out and had to head back at 11 to stay on schedule, but we encountered a nice front with several dozen shearwaters (most if not all GRSH - still need to comb through the photos), 2 gannets, several dozen red-necked phalaropes, and as many Wilson's-storm petrels. On the way out and back in we encountered great and double-crested cormorants, common and arctic terns, common loons, razorbills, guillemots, puffins, eiders, and the usual gulls. At least one common murre (teamed up with a lone razorbill).
>
> The most curious of all was a small alcid that appeared about 10m off our port bow just as we were passing among the islands on the approach into Jonesport harbor. We were unable to stop and so our view was brief but clear, and as we cruised past the bird paddled away, black head forward and low to the water, overall impression mostly black with some white, short bill, chunky, and way too small to be any of the others we had seen. Never having seen a dovekie before (and not expecting to) I wasn't versed in specific field marks, but looking it up after the fact it appeared to be the closest match. That said everything I read says they are exclusively a winter bird and even then, only well offshore. I'm wondering what the seasoned downeast coastal birders on this feed might think of this possibility - has this species ever been documented anywhere near here in the summer? Other ideas on ID? Any and all ideas welcome - thanks in advance.
>
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[Maine-birds] Small Alcid

We had a beautiful morning off Jonesport yesterday with near glassy-smooth conditions. Being a sailboat under power and with limited time we only got about 15 miles out and had to head back at 11 to stay on schedule, but we encountered a nice front with several dozen shearwaters (most if not all GRSH - still need to comb through the photos), 2 gannets, several dozen red-necked phalaropes, and as many Wilson's-storm petrels. On the way out and back in we encountered great and double-crested cormorants, common and arctic terns, common loons, razorbills, guillemots, puffins, eiders, and the usual gulls. At least one common murre (teamed up with a lone razorbill).

The most curious of all was a small alcid that appeared about 10m off our port bow just as we were passing among the islands on the approach into Jonesport harbor. We were unable to stop and so our view was brief but clear, and as we cruised past the bird paddled away, black head forward and low to the water, overall impression mostly black with some white, short bill, chunky, and way too small to be any of the others we had seen. Never having seen a dovekie before (and not expecting to) I wasn't versed in specific field marks, but looking it up after the fact it appeared to be the closest match. That said everything I read says they are exclusively a winter bird and even then, only well offshore. I'm wondering what the seasoned downeast coastal birders on this feed might think of this possibility - has this species ever been documented anywhere near here in the summer? Other ideas on ID? Any and all ideas welcome - thanks in advance.

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[Maine-birds] Sandhill Cranes in Belgrade

Finally located the Sandhill Cranes! There are 4, and it looks like 2 are smaller, but may or may not be immatures, I did not have my scope. They are located on Rt 135 off Rt 27 in Belgrade. Take the left onto 135 and go about a mile and a half. You will notice big fields leading down to Belgrade Stream. There is one Cape style house set way back on the left with the big fields in front of it. They were close to the road this morning at 8am, but I was going to an appt and could not stop. When I returned at 10:30 am they were much farther down the field near the house. a

[Maine-birds] Re: Little egret right now Tidewater Farm 12:08pm

Mark Hodgson (from WI) shared this good diagnostic photo he took 7/12/16 of the Little Egret at Tidewater Farm.

On Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at 12:16:02 PM UTC-4, wrenyen wrote:

Have little egret right now at Tidewater farm with Bruce Barker and Boots Garrett. Thanks to Mark ? from Wisconsin who remained here while we checked out Providence Ave. We thought we saw it there but weren't 100% sure and then it flew off. Mark called us back over here for it so seems like the bird has been working the area all morning.
LIEG is with group of 4 snowies. Behavior of LIEG is noticeably different from snowies. More active and occasionally jogs along a bit then stops and feeds again.

[Maine-birds] Re: Cliff Swallows?

Diane,

I attempted to post a reply but not sure it went through.

There are small colonies in Brooks and Thorndike. Unfortunately I can't assist due to recent surgery.

Call me if you want more info.

tom

On Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 6:34:22 AM UTC-4, dw...@avianhaven.org wrote:

Would anyone who knows of a currently-active colony of Cliff Swallows in the mid-coast or central Maine area reply to me off list? We have a few to release, and prefer letting them go into larger groups if possible.
Thanks,
Diane at Avian Haven
www.avianhaven.org

[Maine-birds] Re: Northern Maine Birds: Eurasian Wigeon, nesting Bonaparte's Gulls, Black-billed Cuckoo

Very cool on the gulls, Bill

On Sunday, July 24, 2016 at 8:46:22 PM UTC-4, Bill Sheehan wrote:

For the past two months I've watched a pair of Bonaparte's Gulls at a nest site here in northern Maine. This species apparently nested in the Allagash Lake region back in the 70's and early 80's. At that time, several different skilled observers saw the adult gulls in breeding season and were dive-bombed by them, but documentation of the birds on a nest was lacking. This year's birds found a suitable location, constructed a nest, defended it diligently against predators and incubated eggs, but the nest ultimately failed. The pair has moved on and I expect they are now wheeling around Passamaquoddy Bay.

The next nearest known nesting site for Bonaparte's Gulls is near Lac St. Jean in Quebec, though most of the breeding population is west of north-central Ontario. Other than this new northern Maine location, there are no known nesting sites for Bonaparte's Gulls in the US outside of Alaska. Maybe next year they'll return and be successful... https://flic.kr/p/KitKK7

Today, at Christina Reservoir, I found what I believe is the same Eurasian Wigeon that was discovered by Wayne Petersen and his Mass Audubon group in late June. The bird has done an impressive transformation from a bright, red and gray breeding-plumaged drake to a somber dark brown bird in eclipse plumage. http://ebird.org/ebird/me/view/checklist/S30835091

The euro wigeon was part of a flock of more than 1,000 molting waterfowl at Christina Reservoir in Fort Fairfield now. The large congregation of ducks and geese has attracted several Bald Eagles that are finding the flightless waterfowl easy pickings.

Though breeding season is already starting to wind down for some species, there are still a lot of birds singing in the area. Olive-sided Flycatchers and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers were very vocal on the Moscovic Road in Stockholm on Saturday.

A Black-billed Cuckoo was singing steadily near the town office at St Agatha that same morning. This was my first of the species this year in the county.

Good Birding.
Bill

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[Maine-birds] Cliff Swallows?

Would anyone who knows of a currently-active colony of Cliff Swallows in the mid-coast or central Maine area reply to me off list? We have a few to release, and prefer letting them go into larger groups if possible.

Thanks,

Diane at Avian Haven

www.avianhaven.org

Monday, 25 July 2016

[Maine-birds] Red-eyed vireo

Common birds are a delight when one doesn't feed birds. Heard a Red-eyed Vireo
calling all spring, now actually seeing one within 3 feet in the lilac bush outside my window.
Never did find male bobolinks. Only got to two places and late morning. Possibly saw one female somewhat hidden. Thank you to those who sent places to look.

Barbara Herrgesell
Sanford ME
Sent from my iPhone

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Sunday, 24 July 2016

[Maine-birds] Seal Island NWR (Restricted Access): Great Knot 7/24 Update (No Luck)

Hi all,

We were not able to refind the Great Knot today! Hopefully it will show up somewhere on the mainland soon!

All the best,

Keenan

[Maine-birds] Northern Maine Birds: Eurasian Wigeon, nesting Bonaparte's Gulls, Black-billed Cuckoo

For the past two months I've watched a pair of Bonaparte's Gulls at a nest site here in northern Maine. This species apparently nested in the Allagash Lake region back in the 70's and early 80's. At that time, several different skilled observers saw the adult gulls in breeding season and were dive-bombed by them, but documentation of the birds on a nest was lacking. This year's birds found a suitable location, constructed a nest, defended it diligently against predators and incubated eggs, but the nest ultimately failed. The pair has moved on and I expect they are now wheeling around Passamaquoddy Bay.

The next nearest known nesting site for Bonaparte's Gulls is near Lac St. Jean in Quebec, though most of the breeding population is west of north-central Ontario. Other than this new northern Maine location, there are no known nesting sites for Bonaparte's Gulls in the US outside of Alaska. Maybe next year they'll return and be successful... https://flic.kr/p/KitKK7

Today, at Christina Reservoir, I found what I believe is the same Eurasian Wigeon that was discovered by Wayne Petersen and his Mass Audubon group in late June. The bird has done an impressive transformation from a bright, red and gray breeding-plumaged drake to a somber dark brown bird in eclipse plumage. http://ebird.org/ebird/me/view/checklist/S30835091

The euro wigeon was part of a flock of more than 1,000 molting waterfowl at Christina Reservoir in Fort Fairfield now. The large congregation of ducks and geese has attracted several Bald Eagles that are finding the flightless waterfowl easy pickings.

Though breeding season is already starting to wind down for some species, there are still a lot of birds singing in the area. Olive-sided Flycatchers and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers were very vocal on the Moscovic Road in Stockholm on Saturday.

A Black-billed Cuckoo was singing steadily near the town office at St Agatha that same morning. This was my first of the species this year in the county.

Good Birding.

Bill

Bill Sheehan
Woodland, Aroostook Co., Maine