Maine birds And MOAC mountainbiking

Monday, 31 July 2017

[Maine-birds] Gulf of Maine in July

Hi all,I've been performing SeaScribe surveys for pelagic species on Bar Harbor Whale Watch trips over the course of July, going out on 1-2 trips one day per week. These trips, for the most part, have been very productive with both birds and non birds! Besides the typical terns, alcids, gulls, cormorants, and miscellaneous peeps, here's what I've seen so far:Great Shearwater- high count was 440 on one trip, but I haven't had nearly...

[Maine-birds] Stella Walsh

I'm very saddened by Stella's passing. Through the years, we had crossed paths on the trails and shared information about CBC dates and related events and activities. Most recently Stella had helped me to successfully post a flagged shorebird sighting from Weskeag. I have admired her curious mind and persistent dedication to preserving all things wild. We had exchanged emails on July 24. I will miss...

[Maine-birds] Stella Walsh

On Saturday morning, my dear birding friend Stella Walsh passed away due to complications of cancer which she had been fighting for years. She was my birding buddy and good friend for many years, always up for a birding trip… that is until the last few years as her health declined, and I spent more time visiting her and her cat Gracie, at her apartment in Yarmouth. But as she struggled with cancer and failing health,...

[Maine-birds] Rockland fish crows

Hi, At least 3 fish crows are inhabiting a neighborhood along Broadway and Beechwood Streets in Rockland. One individual being fed is suggestive of nesting activity. The species has nested previously in this precise neighborhood. About a month ago I observed several vocalizing fish crows about a mile away around Knox County Jail grounds. There has been a general absence of these crows in past 2-3 years, but in the...

Sunday, 30 July 2017

[Maine-birds] Seal Island NWR - Jaegers & More

Hi all,The past few days have been great for jaegers out of Seal Island NWR. Mainly to the northeast of the island in waters between us and Isle au Haut. Yesterday we had all three species of jaeger close to the island! Many parasitics harassing terns throughout the day and to cap it all off we enjoyed a Pomarine Jaeger harassing and black-backed gull who was then joined by a Long-tailed Jaeger! In addition, there have been lots...

[Maine-birds] 2 Hudsonian Godwits Hills Beach

There are now two birds present on the causeway to Basket Island in Biddeford.NoahSent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone...

[Maine-birds] Correction-Hudsonian Godwit Biddeford Pool

We just got a view of the bird flying and the Wing pattern looked good for a Hudsonian. Underwing unfortunately eliminated the Black Tailed possibility.NoahSent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone...

[Maine-birds] MARBLED GODWIT Biddeford Pool

Currently in the pool viewed from Sky Harbor Dr. Lighting is tough and the bird has a messy molting pattern, so I am trying to turn it into something "better", but going with Marbled for now.Bird haahd,Noah Gibb-Freeport Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone...

[Maine-birds] Maine Birding Trail / Aroostook update

Last weekend I finally made my first jaunt ever to Aroostook County. Birding was just one of my goals and I used the Maine Birding Trail "abbreviated" guide (and a history of reading maine-birds) to target Lake Josephine and Christina Reservoir. Time constraints allowed me to visit only one of these hot spots, but it was great to see a place I'd only read about for years (thanks to Bill, Craig, and others).This post is simply...

Saturday, 29 July 2017

[Maine-birds] Cherryfield Semi Sandpipers

This evening there are, conservatively, 400-500 of these birds on rocks in the Narraguagus River in Cherryfield, just downstream from the upper bridge (by the Mathews Store). Concentrated on just a few rocks, they look very striking. About 99% juveniles, with just a few adults in breeding plumage. Most of them were sleeping. While I was watching a single Semi Plover flew in--did my best to turn it into a Common Ringed Plover,...

[Maine-birds] some MDI birds

As we were wrapping up today’s birding tour at Acadia National Park’s Sieur de Monts Spring, we were pleasantly surprised to have a juvenile Virginia Rail walk across the path in front of us! I do occasionally hear them there, but I have only ever seen one once at this locale.Other highlights of the day:A lone Bonaparte’s Gull with its full black hood stood out among the countless Ring-billed Gulls at Thompson IslandA very cooperative...

Re: [Maine-birds] Additional Highlights This Week, 7/22-28

With apologies, the links to the Little Egret photos were accidentally left out of the message. They are here:https://www.flickr.com/photos/freeportwildbird/35419751933/in/album-72157625893018447/https://www.flickr.com/photos/freeportwildbird/36090476231/in/album-72157625893018447/ From: 'Derek and Jeannette Lovitch' via Maine birds <maine-birds@googlegroups.com> To: Maine-birds <maine-birds@googlegroups.com>...

Friday, 28 July 2017

[Maine-birds] Additional Highlights This Week, 7/22-28

Hi all,A few of my additional observations of note over the past seven days included:- 9 species of shorebirds led by 150+ Semipalmated Sandpipers but also included 9 Piping Plover, 2 Whimbrels, and 8 Sanderlings (FOF), Popham Beach State Park, 7/24 (with Jeannette).- 2 PARASITIC JAEGERS (FOY) and 4+ Cory's Shearwaters (FOY), Dyer Point, Cape Elizabeth, 7/25 (with Jeannette).- 2 AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS among 10 species of shorebirds,...

RE: [Maine-birds] Sandhill Cranes?

I have seen Sandhill Cranes several times this summer from the carry-in boat launch on route 27 in Belgrade, about ¼ mile south of Hammond Lumber. From: maine-birds@googlegroups.com [mailto:maine-birds@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Michael LittleSent: Friday, July 28, 2017 2:15 PMTo: Maine Birds <maine-birds@googlegroups.com>Subject: [Maine-birds] Sandhill Cranes? Are folks seeing the cranes in Belgrade? Where...

[Maine-birds] Sandhill Cranes?

Are folks seeing the cranes in Belgrade? Where is best view? Mike Little ...

Wednesday, 26 July 2017

[Maine-birds] New TSA rules about camera screening

https://www.dpreview.com/news/3718283787/new-tsa-rules-require-separate-screening-for-cameras-- Bruce BartrugNobleboro, Maine, USAbbartrug@gmail.comwww.brucebartrug.com•The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing. - Albert Einstein•In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. -Martin Luther King --...

[Maine-birds] Little Egret

At south blind, Gilsland Farm, 11:15 on rising tide.....in close with 7 other snowy egrets...in water up to their knees. Beautiful. Sent from my iPad -- Maine birds mailing list maine-birds@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds https://sites.google.com/site/birding207 --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop...

[Maine-birds] Id help, please.

Caught this at Essex Street Marsh this morning. I guessing juvenile northern parula, but I'm usually wrong when I guess. Any help, please.http://photosbychance.zenfolio.com/p432832521/h915013b8#h915013b8Thanks,Dave -- Maine birds mailing list maine-birds@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds https://sites.google.com/site/birding207 --- You received this message because you are subscribed to...

Tuesday, 25 July 2017

[Maine-birds] Old Quarry Puffin Trip featuring (sometimes) the red-billed tropicbird report

Red-billed Tropicbird success: 4/8 Though it was sunny today, the tropicbird was not present on the island. The theory is that last nights/this mornings storm prevented it from returning. It was a good day on the water though, flat and productive. We got good looks at a Minke Whale, Gray Seals, Harbor Porpoise, and Harbor Seals, but...

Re: [Maine-birds] Re: Little Egret, continues, Gilsland Farm, 7/25.

Thanks all for the info on the Egret! It is still visible (great views) from the North Meadow blind with a group of Snowy Egrets. Sebastian JonesJamaica Plain, MA ...

[Maine-birds] Re: Little Egret, continues, Gilsland Farm, 7/25.

Thanks Jeannette and Derek! The Little Egret is now roosting on a log with 9 Snowy Egrets off the North Meadow blind at Gilsland Farm.--Josh-- Inspiring Nature Connection in New Englandjoshfecteau.com | patreon.com/JoshFecteau -- Maine birds mailing list maine-birds@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds https://sites.google.com/site/birding207 --- You received this message because you are subscribed...

[Maine-birds] Little Egret, continues, Gilsland Farm, 7/25.

Hi all, Jeannette and I are currently looking at the Little Egret off the south blind of Gilsland Farm. -Derek Sent from my iPhone Sent from my iPhone -- Maine birds mailing list maine-birds@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds https://sites.google.com/site/birding207 --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and...

[Maine-birds] Re: RFI Little Egret, Portland

Hi Sebastian,When I saw the bird at Martin's Point on Saturday, it was ~2.5 or 3 hours after high tide. There were many egrets and herons foraging on the mudflats and exposed tidal rocks, but they seemed to be dispersing across the Presumpsot River Bay as the tide continued to fall. On an incoming tide, I could imagine the egrets moving up the bay and ending up near the marshes at Gilsland or Tidewater Farms. Good luck,DonOn...

Monday, 24 July 2017

[Maine-birds] Re: Little Egret at Martin's Point, Portland

Hi Don,If you look at the ebird posts you will see that most are at either Gilsland Farm, Martins Point, or Shoreline Drive - all very close together. It is worth checking all these places - along with Tide Water Farm just to the north. What the map does not show is the tide, which is a key factor. The bird shows only at mid- to lower tides when the flats are exposed. I'm not sure anyone really knows where...

[Maine-birds] Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Unity

This morning a Yellow-billed Cuckoo was calling for at least five minutes behind my house. Previously this summer, I have had no indication of this species in my area. It seems like there may be a mid-summer movement underway as has occurred during years in the past, so keep your ears and eyes open.Good birding,tom -- Maine birds mailing list maine-birds@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds...

[Maine-birds] Whimbrels at Flat Bay

At last they have returned - a day later than our other records of past years. Yesterday we observed 2 during the morning low tide. Today we saw 24 on the morning low tide.Merle and Anne ArchieHarrington -- Maine birds mailing list maine-birds@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds https://sites.google.com/site/birding207 --- You received this message because you are subscribed...

[Maine-birds] RFI Little Egret, Portland

‎Hi all, Was hoping someone might be able to suggest the best spot(s) to check for the Little Egret that's been around Portland recently. I think I'll have a few hours tomorrow afternoon and though I've seen reports of it at a few places, was wondering if there's a particularly good spot to check and if tides play a role (is there a better spot to try at high tide and a better one for low tide, for example). Any tips/ideas would...

Saturday, 22 July 2017

[Maine-birds] Seal Island NWR - Yellow-crowned Night-heron & Red-billed Tropicbird

Hi all, This evening as we are settling in after dusk we observed a Yellow-crowned Night-heron being harassed by the nesting terns on the island. This is the third year in a row that this species has been observed on the island! Certainly continue this species trend of northward dispersal. In addition the Tropicbird has been seen fairly regularly barring good weather. In addition, I would like to mention some new eBird...

[Maine-birds] Brown Pelican - Higgins Beach

I don't have any first hand knowledge of this, but just saw a photo that was posted on social media by a non-birder today, supposedly taken this morning 7/22 at Higgins Beach in Scarborough of a (the?) BROWN PELICAN. Magill Weber -- Maine birds mailing list maine-birds@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds https://sites.google.com/site/birding207 --- You received this message because you are subscribed...

[Maine-birds] Morse Mountain - Plucky Piping Plover Perpetually Pesters Placid Peeps

Excited to see four Piping Plovers along Seawall Beach. They were vigorously chasing the visiting flocks of Semipalmated Plovers & Sandpipers, Sanderlings, Least Sandpipers and others. Quite a sight to see.Six lovely looking Whimbrel were present, a lifer for me. Shorebird migration season is kicking off once again!Also, anyone attempting Morse Mountain before 10am would do well to layer up and get a bug net. Bugs were maddeningly...

[Maine-birds] Little Egret at Martin's Point, Portland

Hi all, Apologies for posting twice today, but I thought this warranted a second message. I just got outstanding views of the continuing Little Egret from the Martin's Point bridge. It was foraging in the company of two Snowy Egrets near the American flag on the Yarmouth side of the river until about 5 minutes ago, when it flew across to the far side of the bay (almost directly west, near the radio tower on the skyline). It is...

[Maine-birds] Re: Wharton Point, Brunswick: Shorebirds, Peregrine Falcon, and cool gull behavior

Dropping shellfish to break them open is actually a common technique practiced by gulls, as well as some other species such as crows.They occasionally cause major problems when they use specific sections of highway so much that the broken shells slice automobile tyres. Here's one observation posted by Bob Abrams, McLean, Virginia."As far as gulls dropping things onto pavement to crack them open, I...

[Maine-birds] Wharton Point, Brunswick: Shorebirds, Peregrine Falcon, and cool gull behavior

Hi all,This morning, I stopped at Wharton Point in Brunswick as the tide was coming in. There were a decent variety of shorebirds, including 2 Greater Yellowlegs, 3 dowitcher sp. (very distant and only seen briefly), 1 Black-bellied Plover, 4 Semipalmated Plover, a handful of Least Sandpiper, and roughly 40 Semipalmated Sandpiper. While I was watching, a gorgeous Peregrine Falcon came screaming in and chased the shorebirds for...

Friday, 21 July 2017

Re: [Maine-birds] Egrets at Tidewater Farm

My photos do not show dark lores as described in Sibley Birds so the egret may be Snowy. I watched 2 egrets that seemed to be the same size and a Great Egret also landed in the channel. On Fri, Jul 21, 2017 at 5:41 PM, Marianne Taylor, Skowhegan <andale62@gmail.com> wrote: We are watching 2 egrets. A Great and I believe...

[Maine-birds] This Week's Highlights, 7/15-21

Hi all,My observations of note over the past seven days included:- 1 early adult "WESTERN" WILLET and 1 adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, Hill's Beach, Biddeford, 7/16 (with Birds on Tap - Roadtrip! tour group; photos.).- 1 leucistic Red-tailed Hawk (mostly white-bodied with a dark brown head), perched along I-95 South near milemarker 13.5, 7/17 (with Jeannette).- 4 Wilson's Storm-Petrels (FOY), Fort Foster, Kittery, 7/17 (with...

[Maine-birds] Egrets at Tidewater Farm

We are watching 2 egrets. A Great and I believe the Little. It behaves like a snowy but I can see individual plumes on the head via scope. Currently in the channel near a dock. -- Maine birds mailing list maine-birds@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds https://sites.google.com/site/birding207 --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group. To unsubscribe...

[Maine-birds] Gray Ghost

Always happy to see male northern harrier-(Gray Ghost) on Rt One in field below the old Christmas Tree Farm in Warren- if you are traveling south it's on the left after Scuttlebutt Antiques. Every once in awhile one shows up in that field. -- Maine birds mailing list maine-birds@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds https://sites.google.com/site/birding207 --- You received this message because...

[Maine-birds] Little Egret

Hoping someone may have seen the Little Egret recently and where. We will be heading north from Portland soon. Thanks -- Maine birds mailing list maine-birds@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds https://sites.google.com/site/birding207 --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send...

[Maine-birds] E. Bluebird, Camden

Not an unusual bird in these parts, but not a regular visitor to our near-downtown neighborhood: for the past two days a male Eastern Bluebird has been hanging out (and singing) in the vicinity of our house. The last bluebird we saw as a yard bird was, in fact, our very first yard bird, when we spotted a small foraging flock from our bedroom window when we woke up for the first time in our new house way back in March 2005. The...

[Maine-birds] Ospreys

Really nice to see so many Osprey's Nest on Day Markers along the mid-coast area- every nest seems to have one to two chicks- Skip Small Rockport -- Maine birds mailing list maine-birds@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds https://sites.google.com/site/birding207 --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop...

[Maine-birds] Flat Bay Shorebirds

The peep population is increasing- we observed 750+ on yesterday's afternoon low tide. Again, the birds are on the west side of Flat Bay and about a mile distant from our observation point. We also saw 5 Greater Yellowlegs and 2 Dowitchers. Lots of Common Terns and a few Bonaparte's Gulls among the Herring and Ring-billed. No Whimbrels yet....hmmm...Anne Archie, Harrington -- Maine birds mailing list...

Thursday, 20 July 2017

[Maine-birds] Female turkey with two broods of different age

We have more than one female turkey that occasionally parades her brood through our yard, but recently I've noticed a female that has two different-sized chicks in tow. Off the top of my head I can't imagine a female incubating a second clutch of eggs when she has young chicks to take care of. So I'm wondering if this female has "adopted" chicks of another who was predated. Anyone have any experience here?Thanks,BAB--...

[Maine-birds] Wilson Storm Petrels

Returning from Isle Au Hault saw many Wilson Storm Petrels- nice to see them filtering in and out of the fog- Sent from my iPhone -- Maine birds mailing list maine-birds@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds https://sites.google.com/site/birding207 --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails...

Wednesday, 19 July 2017

[Maine-birds] Bird Monitoring

Want to do some birding at Maine's premier birding spot and help gather data on Maine's first Important Bird Area? Join us on July 22 from 6:30 - 10:30 and August 26 from 7-10 at Scarborough Marsh for a marsh-wide survey of birds to document the numbers of individuals and species. Timed to catch the beginning of shorebird migration, each group of monitors will be assigned a portion of the marsh to...

[Maine-birds] Re: Rare Bird Alert

There are several options available online to limit bird strikes to your window you should look into.On Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at 4:21:16 AM UTC-4, Kenneth S Mirman wrote:It is my understanding that the Leach's Storm Petrel is common in Maine in July. I thought you might be interested in a report of one striking a window at my house at 2:30 AMLeach's Storm Petrel I heard two thumps against a window at my home in...

[Maine-birds] Seal Island Tuesday (no tropicbird due to fog)

Besides not being able to see more than 30-80 yards most of the trip and no tropicbird, the trip went well. Saw four common murres with one being just of George's Head Island soon after leaving. Great Looks at all the murres and their chocolately backs. Finished the Alcid Grand slam with great looks at Razorbill, Puffins, and Guillemot. Finally started seeing phalaropes with two flocks of red-necks with between 8-20 birds foraging...

Tuesday, 18 July 2017

[Maine-birds] Re: Pacific Loon - Hills Beach in Biddeford Pool

Sorry folks, I think I jumped the gun on this one. After reviewing my photos further, the bill size is much too large for a Pacific Loon and I believe the bird I saw was a first summer Common Loon. On Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at 6:18:27 PM UTC-4, Brendan McKay wrote:I birded Hills Beach and the Basket Island causeway this afternoon as the tide was coming in. Around 3:15pm, I located a small loon that was actively preening and...

[Maine-birds] Can't identify bird- sorry, no photo

Thank you all so very much! The bird was in the shade so it could easily have been blue instead of black! It was a fun bird to watch. I hope to see another sometime soon! Thanks again! Linda E. -- Maine birds mailing list maine-birds@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds https://sites.google.com/site/birding207 --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds"...

[Maine-birds] Pacific Loon - Hills Beach in Biddeford Pool

I birded Hills Beach and the Basket Island causeway this afternoon as the tide was coming in. Around 3:15pm, I located a small loon that was actively preening and bathing close to the shore of Stage Island. Based on my photos and observations, it appears to be a Pacific Loon. The bird was still present when I left around 4pm. Photos and notes can be seen as part of my eBird checklist;http://ebird.org/ebird/me/view/checklist/S38209362Happy...

[Maine-birds] Rare Bird Alert

It is my understanding that the Leach's Storm Petrel is common in Maine in July. I thought you might be interested in a report of one striking a window at my house at 2:30 AMLeach's Storm Petrel I heard two thumps against a window at my home in Machiasport, Maine along the Little Kennebec Bay. I saw a Leach's Storm Petrel on the deck flapping its wings but facing the house. The bird was dark brown A light band...

Monday, 17 July 2017

[Maine-birds] Can't identify bird- sorry, no photo

I'm guessing you saw a Belted Kingfisher. It's probably appeared black and white in the light, but is actually blue and white. -- Maine birds mailing list maine-birds@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds https://sites.google.com/site/birding207 --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from...

[Maine-birds] Can't identify bird- sorry, no photo

Two days ago, I spotted a bird that I was unable to identify and have not found it using all of my birding apps so I'm hoping someone may have an idea as to what it was. The bird was approximately the size of a crow. The head was completely black. The neck, "bib" and underbelly where white. The back appeared to be black and white although it was hard to see from a distance. The bird was perched on a tree branch next to a lake...