The recent days of fog, rain and just generally bone chilling weather has made it very easy to persuade myself to limit my birding excursions. Besides, I have a great lazy birder's set-up where most everything comes to me, or at least comes within decent viewing distance of kitchen & living room windows.
A lone SNOWY EGRET approached from the direction of Grand Manan on Sunday and veered towards the Maine coast (Cutler). A GREAT EGRET made an almost identical flight on Monday. It was probably too much to think that a CATTLE EGRET might show up today and complete the trifecta.
There has been a trio of one species today: RUBY THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS. All are males and, in their usual way, they are spending more time squabbling than feeding.
There are still a boat-load of RED BREASTED NUTHATCHES everywhere on the island with a dozen or more hanging close to the house and the oil seed supply. Each off them selects a specific spot to shell and eat their seeds, returning without fail day after day.
One Nuthatch has joined the jelly lovers and is seen frequently sampling the fare from a bowl on the ground. The rain has melted quite a bit of the Grape Jelly making a thick, sugary syrup and that form may be making it more attractive.
Also sampling the jelly are GRAY CATBIRDS. I can't get a decent count but there are several scattered over the island.
At least 2 BROWN THRASHERS are still about, being as shy and secretive as usual.
A trio of FLICKERS are also hanging on. I guess that our mother lode of earth worms is too good to leave just yet.
Sparrow numbers and mix haven't changed much in the past few days.
WHITE THROATED, CHIPPING & SONG SPARROWS lead the migrant list, with a couple WHITE CROWNED SPARROWS thrown in for variety.
A lone SNOWY EGRET approached from the direction of Grand Manan on Sunday and veered towards the Maine coast (Cutler). A GREAT EGRET made an almost identical flight on Monday. It was probably too much to think that a CATTLE EGRET might show up today and complete the trifecta.
There has been a trio of one species today: RUBY THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS. All are males and, in their usual way, they are spending more time squabbling than feeding.
There are still a boat-load of RED BREASTED NUTHATCHES everywhere on the island with a dozen or more hanging close to the house and the oil seed supply. Each off them selects a specific spot to shell and eat their seeds, returning without fail day after day.
One Nuthatch has joined the jelly lovers and is seen frequently sampling the fare from a bowl on the ground. The rain has melted quite a bit of the Grape Jelly making a thick, sugary syrup and that form may be making it more attractive.
Also sampling the jelly are GRAY CATBIRDS. I can't get a decent count but there are several scattered over the island.
At least 2 BROWN THRASHERS are still about, being as shy and secretive as usual.
A trio of FLICKERS are also hanging on. I guess that our mother lode of earth worms is too good to leave just yet.
Sparrow numbers and mix haven't changed much in the past few days.
WHITE THROATED, CHIPPING & SONG SPARROWS lead the migrant list, with a couple WHITE CROWNED SPARROWS thrown in for variety.
SAVANNAH SPARROWS of course out number all of the others and there's good evidence that some are well established on breeding territories.
Some of the Song Sparrows are giving the Hummers lessons in the fine art of squabbling over food.
A handful or two of Swallows have pushed through with the majority appearing to be BARN SWALLOWS.
Some of the Song Sparrows are giving the Hummers lessons in the fine art of squabbling over food.
A handful or two of Swallows have pushed through with the majority appearing to be BARN SWALLOWS.
It's poor, poor feeding for any that decide to linger here for too long.
Thrushes are scarce and most appear to be late HERMIT THRUSHES.
New today was a PIPIT and a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH foraging under the boardwalks and a solitary bright male GOLDFINCH.
The Alcids are settled in for another season and 1 to 3 GANNETS are prospecting their previous nest sites.
Shorebirds are more or less non-existent with all the PURPLE SANDPIPERS apparently gone and the SPOTTED SANDPIPERS yet to arrive.
Thrushes are scarce and most appear to be late HERMIT THRUSHES.
New today was a PIPIT and a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH foraging under the boardwalks and a solitary bright male GOLDFINCH.
The Alcids are settled in for another season and 1 to 3 GANNETS are prospecting their previous nest sites.
Shorebirds are more or less non-existent with all the PURPLE SANDPIPERS apparently gone and the SPOTTED SANDPIPERS yet to arrive.
The single exception in recent days was one GREATER YELLOWLEGS which waited out some rain squalls before heading towards Grand Manan.
HARLEQUIN DUCKS are still present, perhaps a dozen comprised mostly of immature males and females.
There are scattered RED BREASTED MERGANSERS and a booming population of COMMON EIDERS.
HARLEQUIN DUCKS are still present, perhaps a dozen comprised mostly of immature males and females.
There are scattered RED BREASTED MERGANSERS and a booming population of COMMON EIDERS.
These latter are beginning to make pair flights and prospect for nest sites.
Both DOUBLE CREASTED & GREAT CORMORANTS are seen daily but generally in very small numbers and only occasionally do a few stop to feed or rest.
Raptors have been evident with PEREGRINES, MERLINS & KESTRELS around daily. Peregrines in particular have been enjoying successful Alcid hunting. EAGLES are irregular.
BIRD OF THE DAY: PURPLE MARTIN
I noticed a rather big swallow well up the island, too far to get a good take on it so I expected it to be a SWIFT. I lost sight of it when a Peregrine strafed the island and downed a luckless PUFFIN.
So I'm standing on the doorstep wondering if the "swallow" continued off the island and being entertained by a couple Nuthatches when in the corner of my eye I saw a flicker of shadow.
It took a few seconds to orientate the sun, shadow and me and realize the source was directly above me. There was my mystery swallow, a shiny male Martin, perched just 8 feet above my head and not the least bit bothered by my presence.
It gave me an audience for several minutes while it executed a through preening and then headed eastward.
Seals seem to be at their summer normal. Lots of GRAY SEAL pups are around with an occasional individual hauled out here on the island. One has been lounging beside the boat landing since late morning. It looks to be in great condition and it's managed to maintain the "butterball" physique that they have at weaning.
Both DOUBLE CREASTED & GREAT CORMORANTS are seen daily but generally in very small numbers and only occasionally do a few stop to feed or rest.
Raptors have been evident with PEREGRINES, MERLINS & KESTRELS around daily. Peregrines in particular have been enjoying successful Alcid hunting. EAGLES are irregular.
BIRD OF THE DAY: PURPLE MARTIN
I noticed a rather big swallow well up the island, too far to get a good take on it so I expected it to be a SWIFT. I lost sight of it when a Peregrine strafed the island and downed a luckless PUFFIN.
So I'm standing on the doorstep wondering if the "swallow" continued off the island and being entertained by a couple Nuthatches when in the corner of my eye I saw a flicker of shadow.
It took a few seconds to orientate the sun, shadow and me and realize the source was directly above me. There was my mystery swallow, a shiny male Martin, perched just 8 feet above my head and not the least bit bothered by my presence.
It gave me an audience for several minutes while it executed a through preening and then headed eastward.
Seals seem to be at their summer normal. Lots of GRAY SEAL pups are around with an occasional individual hauled out here on the island. One has been lounging beside the boat landing since late morning. It looks to be in great condition and it's managed to maintain the "butterball" physique that they have at weaning.
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