Maine birds And MOAC mountainbiking

Friday, 29 June 2018

[Maine-birds] This Week's Highlights, 6/24-29

Hi all,

With a week spent mostly catching up from being away, my limited birding time yielded the following observations of note:

- 1 White-rumped Sandpiper and 1 Lesser Yellowlegs (first of fall?), Pine Point, Scarborough, 6/26.

- 1 continuing TRICOLORED HERON X SNOWY EGRET HYBRID, 1 continuing TRICOLORED HERON, 1 continuing WHITE-FACED IBIS, and 1 continuing Greater Yellowlegs, Eastern Road Trail, Scarborough Masrh, 6/26.

-1 continuing CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW, 3 Eastern Whip-poor-will, 1 Common Nighthawk, 1 American Woodcock, and 2 Barred Owls, Valley Road in Great Pond Mountain Wildlands, Orland, 6/26 (with Terez Fraser, John Lorenc, and Erin Walter).

- 1 drake Common Goldeneye, Wharton Point, Brunswick, 6/28.

- 1 American Bittern, 5 Wilson's Snipe, 1 Merlin, 1 Brown Thrasher, etc, Gilman Pond Road, New Portland, 6/29 (with The Thrushes of Maine Weekend tour group).

-Derek

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

Derek and Jeannette Lovitch

Freeport Wild Bird Supply

541 Route One, Suite 10

Freeport, ME 04032

207-865-6000

www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com

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

[Maine-birds] 9 Black-crowned Night Herons over SMCC (6/28)

I've been putting less effort into looking for BCNHs near the shore along SMCC's Spring Point Trail and more into just watching the skies. Their direct, non-buoyant flight profile is so different than the way gulls usually wheel around that it becomes very easy to ID them as flyovers. If anything it would be easier to mistake them for Crows from a distance... except they don't appear as dark, and Crows are not commonly seen flying between the islands and the mainland in the late hours of the day.

Between 7:35 and 8:30 (approximately dusk) yesterday 5 adults and 4 individuals in subadult plumage were seen, with most (along with 1 Great Blue Heron) flying toward the island rookeries. Nearby Ram Island was found to have 68 active BCNH nests during the 2009 USFWS survey ( https://maineheron.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/2009colonialwadingbirdcensus2.pdf ), which seems the easiest explanation for the high numbers of flyovers and less frequent hunting individuals that occur in this area. It should be noted that these sightings rarely happen from the vantage point of Willard Beach... one has to proceed past the beach along the upper trail that goes up and down a couple flights of stairs to get to the panoramic viewing spots between Spring Point and the marina.

Full checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46874130

Sean Smith

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Thursday, 28 June 2018

[Maine-birds] Chuck-will's-widow - yes

Was present in Orland again last night, ~9 p.m., in spite of a pretty steady background "roar" from wind in foliage. Heard best from the stakeout meadow just north of the stream crossing. Also had a Common Nighthawk overhead, singing Veerys, a dam-building beaver, a porcupine and a raccoon. Fireflies escorted me back to the car.

No luck on Whip-poor-will, but a two goatsucker night is a good night anyway you slice it.

Cheers,

Craig K

Wednesday, 27 June 2018

[Maine-birds] Re: Cape Elizabeth ~ late report of Black billed Cuckoo

On June 7 an immature Black-billed Cuckoo flew into our garage window and died. Prior to that I had not seen or heard a Black-billed Cuckoo in our woods (we live in Winterport) for almost 15 years. That last time I only heard it and called Judy Markowsky, then the director at Fields Pond Audubon, who confirmed it.

Sue

On Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at 10:24:59 PM UTC-4, Elias B. wrote:

I was seriously doubting that I would see or hear a Cuckoo this Spring. But that's the thing about birding, the unexpected can never be ruled out. Anyways I spotted a Black billed Cuckoo from my bathroom window the morning of the 19th - it was perched on a snag - on the fringe of my yard around 7:15am. I was afforded a good 20 seconds of observation. Perhaps the bird was checking out what all the commotion was around the nearby feeders? Also, worth pondering was the timing of the "Rain Crow's" arrival in relationship to the significant storm that barrelled through less than 24 hours prior.

Keep looking,

Brook

Monday, 25 June 2018

[Maine-birds] Recent Mt. Desert Rock Sightings

Hi all,

This summer, I'm set up on Mt. Desert Rock 18+ miles off of MDI recording sightings of Cetaceans, seals, and birds for College of the Atlantic. I've only been here for 4.5 days, but it's already been pretty amazing out here. First off, our first whale and dolphin sightings pf the season were today with a Fin Whale and at least 2 dolphin sp. seen 10+ miles to the SW.

Then come the birds.

Yesterday 6/24/18 seemed to be a fairly slow day with a few Sooty and Great Shearwaters until I noticed a largish dark bird sitting on the water. After a couple of minutes it flew and turned out to be a South Polar Skua (more details and photos in this checklist) https://ebird.org/atlasme/view/checklist/S46776654

Then today, with 19-21 mph winds coming out of the NNW, I figured it would be a good day for shearwaters, and I turned out to be right. I birded from the lighthouse for most of the morning and had great results which included: 102 Sooty Shearwaters, 123 Great Shearwaters, 1 Cory's Shearwater, 2 Northern Fulmars, 24 Northern Gannets, and 6 Wilson's Storm-Petrels (low due to moderate waves). Later on as sunset came, a Ruddy Turnstone landed and a Manx Shearwater came within 200 ft of the eastern shore, which was quite a treat. Here's the checklist for today: https://ebird.org/atlasme/view/checklist/S46798844

Other regulars include Common Murres, Black Guillemots, Atlantic Puffins and the occasional Razorbill for alcids. Both Common and Arctic Terns make daily appearances. A Red-breasted Nuthatch has also been around since last Thursday and possibly longer.

Stay tuned for more as the season progresses.

Good Birding,

Nathan

[Maine-birds] Monhegan weekend, 6.22-6.25.18

I spent the past 3-1/2 days out on Monhegan, and while I wasn't birding per se, I did keep track of everything I saw or heard (mostly heard) while I was there. Most of my time was either in the village or in Cathedral Woods. Noted 38 species total, probably could have turned up more if I'd picked up my binoculars.

Highlights were seeing some youngsters, including a nice creche of Common Eiders (12 chicks with 5 hens), several Herring Gull fuzz ball chicks in the nests below White Head, and the big surprise: 3 pheasant chicks on the trail near Pebble Beach! (A surprise because no one has seen a female out there for several years, and I didn't hear any males there at all this spring and was wondering if they had all died out.) Also, spotty teenager robins looking like Fieldfares and parent Blue Jay feeding whiny fledgling Blue Jay.

Other birds that might be of interest as breeding species out there:

Laughing Gull

Tree Swallow

Swainson's Thrush -3 + singing in woods

Winter Wren - 3+ singing in woods

Cedar Waxwing

Red Crossbill - flock of ~12 in woods

Co. Raven - very vocal pair

White-throated Sparrow - of course

No. Parula - 3

Yellow Warbler - 6+

Black-and-white Warbler -1

Nashville Warbler - 1

Am. Redstart - 3

C. Yellowthroat - many

Black-throated Green Warbler - many, as expected

Kristen

Kristen Lindquist

website: www.kristenlindquist.com

haiku blog: klindquist.blogspot.com

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible."

--Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama

[Maine-birds] Yellow-billed Cuckoo

A Yellow-billed Cuckoo was heard and glimpsed near the entrance of the Kennebec Estruary Land Trust's Merrymeeting Fields Preserve on Saturday morning 6/23. A video recording was made and I.d. was confirmed later by a more-experienced birder.

Alan Seamans

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Sunday, 24 June 2018

[Maine-birds] Parula and Sapsucker nests

We had an Augusta Birding Club trip on and near the Long Falls Dam Road (near Flagstaff Lake) yesterday. One of our goals was to look for breeding evidence for the Maine Bird Atlas. Margaret Viens spotted a hanging Northern Parula nest made of Old Mans Beard lichen. We also came across a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker nesting hole. For some good pictures of these and a list of other birds at two of our stops:

https://ebird.org/atlasme/view/checklist/S46760642

https://ebird.org/atlasme/view/checklist/S46749801

Glenn Hodgkins

Hallowell

Re: [Maine-birds] Purple Finches, Roque Bluffs 24 June

Thank you Bob, Craig, and anyone else who thinks I can safely report this as an adult feeding young purple finch :-)

On Sun, Jun 24, 2018 at 2:13 PM, Bob Crowley <crbob@fairpoint.net> wrote:

To my eyes you have a male feeding a fledgling Purple Finch.

Bob Crowley
Chatham, NH

From: Carol Muth
Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2018 1:34 PM
To: Maine Birds
Subject: [Maine-birds] Purple Finches, Roque Bluffs 24 June

I hardly ever see any bird behavior, even though I hear the birds singing all around me every day. This Breeding Atlas has been a frustration for me, However. Two pair of Purple Finches have been at our feeder for more than a month. Around noon I looked out the window and Purple Finches were doing something. I think this is a fledgling and an adult male. But the Adult is larger than the other finch, so maybe it's not what it looks like, a young bird begging for food.
If you can stand looking at three photos taken through a double-glazed window with a 10Xzoom 10 year old point-and-shoot, please let me know if you think this is not an adult feeding young. I don't want to post to Breeding Atlas until I am sure.
www.acadiabirds.wordpress.com
Also, Wally, while he was taking his morning walk, flushed four juvenile winter wrens from their nest or hiding place under leaves in the ravine next to our place yesterday. They sat in a row on a branch on the ground and he quickly left so he would not disturb them.
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[Maine-birds] slight correction re Purple Finches

I meant to say that the adult male looks smaller than the other finch, which might be a fledgling or a female. C.

[Maine-birds] Purple Finches, Roque Bluffs 24 June

I hardly ever see any bird behavior, even though I hear the birds singing all around me every day. This Breeding Atlas has been a frustration for me, However. Two pair of Purple Finches have been at our feeder for more than a month. Around noon I looked out the window and Purple Finches were doing something. I think this is a fledgling and an adult male. But the Adult is larger than the other finch, so maybe it's not what it looks like, a young bird begging for food.

If you can stand looking at three photos taken through a double-glazed window with a 10Xzoom 10 year old point-and-shoot, please let me know if you think this is not an adult feeding young. I don't want to post to Breeding Atlas until I am sure.

www.acadiabirds.wordpress.com

Also, Wally, while he was taking his morning walk, flushed four juvenile winter wrens from their nest or hiding place under leaves in the ravine next to our place yesterday. They sat in a row on a branch on the ground and he quickly left so he would not disturb them.

Friday, 22 June 2018

[Maine-birds] Maine Bird Atlas - Weekend Challenges, 6/22

Hi everyone:

This is a great week for early milestones: we cracked 500 participants (one of last week's challenges) and passed 25% of blocks in Maine having at least one checklist submitted (and 35% of Priority Blocks with data). You can keep tabs on the state-level results here: https://ebird.org/atlasme/state/US-ME?atlasPeriod=EBIRD_ATL_ME_2018

Before the new challenges, let's see how you all did last week…

Red-eyed Vireo - the goal of bumping up possible to probable records was fairly successful, from 106 probable last week to 144. More impressive was the spike in possible reports from 197 to 273! Great work getting more singing birds entered, now see if we can get those up to probable with "S7".

Northern Cardinal - from 15 to 19 confirmed records - good work but keep the reports coming!

Fledge an Atlaser - GREAT WORK! Nearly 50 new atlasers reported lists over the past week.

NEW CHALLENGES:

1) Black-capped Chickadee - Over the past week it seems chickadees are growing up quickly - I had a family with "recently fledged" birds that were practically identical to the adults (tails fully grown and gape lines very hard to see). The begging young have a distinct nasal whine that is pretty easy to detect right now (similar to this: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/207274). Let's see if we can bump up the confirmed blocks this week; the bar is set at 95 confirmed blocks.

2) Song Sparrow - like the chickadee, another widespread species with quite a few confirmed blocks already (119) but we can do better. They should be busy carry mouthfuls of food to chicks this week so get those "carrying food" or "feeding young" records in.

3) Wild Turkey - this is a species we expected to see one of the largest increases from the first atlas but it is a slow start so far. The first poults were running around Gilsland Farm this week so I suspect more will be seen around the state soon. Currently at 34 confirmed blocks, there must be more out there.

Good birding and happy atlasing!

Doug Hitchcox
Maine Bird Atlas - Outreach Coordinator
Maine Audubon - Staff Naturalist
207-781-2330 x237
dhitchcox@maineaudubon.org

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Thursday, 21 June 2018

[Maine-birds] Peregrine chick

6/21/18
A single well developed Peregrine Falcon chick, still with a few downy feathers, was at the Ironbound Island nest site this afternoon. An adult was flying high overhead. Picture on Maine Birds facebook page and also the eBird site.
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[Maine-birds] MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND REPORT

Other than a steadily increasing number of Alcid & Tern chicks and the first EIDER chicks emerging, things have been relatively quiet.
Yesterday was an exception, with several birds apparently arriving Tuesday night.

There were several RED BREASTED NUTHATCHES, making me wonder if this is going to be another banner year for that species.

There are still 3-4 around. Anyone else seeing more Nuthatches than usual?

A single GRACKLE arrived but apparently the Terns persuaded it to vacate.

A RED WINGED BLACKBIRD has been more persistent. It's still around and causing distress in the tern colony.

Wednesday's Bird-Of-The-Day was a brilliant male SCARLET TANAGER that apparently got the Bum's Rush from the terns.

Wednesday, 20 June 2018

[Maine-birds] Cape Elizabeth ~ late report of Black billed Cuckoo

I was seriously doubting that I would see or hear a Cuckoo this Spring. But that's the thing about birding, the unexpected can never be ruled out. Anyways I spotted a Black billed Cuckoo from my bathroom window the morning of the 19th - it was perched on a snag - on the fringe of my yard around 7:15am. I was afforded a good 20 seconds of observation. Perhaps the bird was checking out what all the commotion was around the nearby feeders? Also, worth pondering was the timing of the "Rain Crow's" arrival in relationship to the significant storm that barrelled through less than 24 hours prior.

Keep looking,

Brook

[Maine-birds] Little Egret in Eastern Trail Pannes

Currently feeding on back edge of closest ocean-side panne with White-faced Ibis.

Tim Fennell

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S7, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

[Maine-birds] Re: Not often on birder's radars: white privilege

Thanks for posting this. It never occurred to me, although I could produce another video - The Rules for a Black Attending a White Wedding as a Guest. My daughter's ex-boyfriend taught us about those rules. Quite a wakeup call for my family. Lot's of your the help moments. Lots.

On Monday, June 18, 2018 at 3:58:31 PM UTC-4, Craig Kesselheim wrote:

Birding friends - I am sharing this in the spirit of an informational and non-political perspective on our shared passion; I hope that's OK within the listserv community. I don't need replies unless you wish to, and I'm happy to receive those off-list. From where I sit it seems like the community of birders in the world is not yet representative of who lives in our towns and our region.

This is a 2-minute video called "Birding While Black." It showed me yet another way that I don't have to be reminded of my race: when I step out of the house wearing a hoodie and carrying binoculars. For me it was important food for thought and action.

Best,
Craig K

Tuesday, 19 June 2018

[Maine-birds] magnetic fields

Have you all seen this recent research.. so neat

https://www.sciencealert.com/birds-see-magnetic-fields-cryptochrome-cry4-photoreceptor

[Maine-birds] Swainson's Thrush at Schoodic

Swainson's Thrush is a reliable summer resident at Schoodic. We heard several today advertising on the road up to Schoodic Head. What a treat!

[Maine-birds] BCNH roosting colony on Casco Bay islands?

Sorry, just reporting this now, and it should be amusing when I try to enter the data on eBird. Friday afternoon/evening (the 15th) between 7:15 and 8:15sh PM, Jeff Webb and I saw 19 flyover BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS from the Spring Point trail that runs through the SMCC campus. We both had binoculars, it was still quite bright and sunny out, all the birds were very identifiable, and some could be heard calling ("kwok"). A couple flew by themselves but most were in small flocks of 3-5.

Almost all were heading from the direction of Peaks and Greater Diamond Island, and flying overhead in a southwesterly direction, toward inland from our vantage point. Only one pair flew in the opposite direction, toward the islands. None landed on the shore near SMCC, as a few often do when evening approaches. I think it's safe to say that none of these birds were repeat flyovers, either, as the way these small groups were flying was very direct and linear... not milling around as gulls, for example would. Additionally none of our counts for adults to subadults matched for any of the flocks that went over.

There were also 43 Common Eider ducklings seen with adults in the same vicinity, not far offshore.

Sean Smith

[Maine-birds] Not often on birder's radars: white privilege

Thanks so much for adding this. And thanks Doug for allowing the discussion which is so important. We take for granted how easy it is for white people to go and do what they please. That's privilege.

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Monday, 18 June 2018

Re: [Maine-birds] Re: Not often on birder's radars: white privilege

I'm a fb friend of Drew's as well and I have long appreciated his extensive knowledge, his tremendously gorgeous photos and videos, his eloquent blog, and his wonderful sense of humor.

I hadn't seen this video and it brings yet another layer of awareness to what my own privilege looks like and how blithely I take it for granted.

Thank you so much for sharing it.

Kali

On Mon, Jun 18, 2018 at 9:26 PM Delia Guzman <dguzman1964@gmail.com> wrote:

I honed my own Barred Owl call by listening to Drew's, Medea! He's long been a facebook friend, and I'm hoping to bird with him someday soon. He was on Hog Island this past weekend, but I was home with my infant son.

As a Latinx woman, I am often the only person of color in birding groups and at festivals, so I know a small bit about what Drew's talking about--but only a small bit, as I'm a fairly light-skinned woman. It's thought-provoking stuff. Has anyone heard about the group Outdoor Afro? Check them out on Facebook--they're doing good work.

Delia in Brunswick

On Mon, Jun 18, 2018 at 6:20 PM, wrenyen <medea.steinman@maine.edu> wrote:
Craig,
Thanks for posting this. Maybe we're on the same science/education lists because that video came to my attention last week--can't remember how I happened onto it.
The same wildlife ecologist (J. Drew Lanham) also had an article about trying to do a BBS as a black man. https://lithub.com/birding-while-black/. Pretty disturbing stuff--hard to focus on the birds and the enjoyment while worrying about possible violence. He clearly tries to keep his sense of humor but he shouldn't have to be thinking about this. Thought provoking and good awareness building for us white-folk birders.
Sounds like it would be fun to go birding with him--good barred owl call in that video. Wish I could do that.
Thanks again,
Medea

On Monday, June 18, 2018 at 3:58:31 PM UTC-4, Craig Kesselheim wrote:
Birding friends - I am sharing this in the spirit of an informational and non-political perspective on our shared passion; I hope that's OK within the listserv community. I don't need replies unless you wish to, and I'm happy to receive those off-list. From where I sit it seems like the community of birders in the world is not yet representative of who lives in our towns and our region.

This is a 2-minute video called "Birding While Black." It showed me yet another way that I don't have to be reminded of my race: when I step out of the house wearing a hoodie and carrying binoculars. For me it was important food for thought and action.

Best,
Craig K

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"Once upon a time, when women were birds, there was the simple understanding that to sing at dawn and to sing at dusk was to heal the world through joy. The birds still remember what we have forgotten, that the world is meant to be celebrated."

~Terry Tempest Williams

Re: [Maine-birds] Re: Not often on birder's radars: white privilege

I honed my own Barred Owl call by listening to Drew's, Medea! He's long been a facebook friend, and I'm hoping to bird with him someday soon. He was on Hog Island this past weekend, but I was home with my infant son.

As a Latinx woman, I am often the only person of color in birding groups and at festivals, so I know a small bit about what Drew's talking about--but only a small bit, as I'm a fairly light-skinned woman. It's thought-provoking stuff. Has anyone heard about the group Outdoor Afro? Check them out on Facebook--they're doing good work.

Delia in Brunswick

On Mon, Jun 18, 2018 at 6:20 PM, wrenyen <medea.steinman@maine.edu> wrote:

Craig,
Thanks for posting this. Maybe we're on the same science/education lists because that video came to my attention last week--can't remember how I happened onto it.
The same wildlife ecologist (J. Drew Lanham) also had an article about trying to do a BBS as a black man. https://lithub.com/birding-while-black/. Pretty disturbing stuff--hard to focus on the birds and the enjoyment while worrying about possible violence. He clearly tries to keep his sense of humor but he shouldn't have to be thinking about this. Thought provoking and good awareness building for us white-folk birders.
Sounds like it would be fun to go birding with him--good barred owl call in that video. Wish I could do that.
Thanks again,
Medea

On Monday, June 18, 2018 at 3:58:31 PM UTC-4, Craig Kesselheim wrote:
Birding friends - I am sharing this in the spirit of an informational and non-political perspective on our shared passion; I hope that's OK within the listserv community. I don't need replies unless you wish to, and I'm happy to receive those off-list. From where I sit it seems like the community of birders in the world is not yet representative of who lives in our towns and our region.

This is a 2-minute video called "Birding While Black." It showed me yet another way that I don't have to be reminded of my race: when I step out of the house wearing a hoodie and carrying binoculars. For me it was important food for thought and action.

Best,
Craig K

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[Maine-birds] Re: Not often on birder's radars: white privilege

Craig,

Thanks for posting this. Maybe we're on the same science/education lists because that video came to my attention last week--can't remember how I happened onto it.

The same wildlife ecologist (J. Drew Lanham) also had an article about trying to do a BBS as a black man. https://lithub.com/birding-while-black/. Pretty disturbing stuff--hard to focus on the birds and the enjoyment while worrying about possible violence. He clearly tries to keep his sense of humor but he shouldn't have to be thinking about this. Thought provoking and good awareness building for us white-folk birders.

Sounds like it would be fun to go birding with him--good barred owl call in that video. Wish I could do that.

Thanks again,

Medea

On Monday, June 18, 2018 at 3:58:31 PM UTC-4, Craig Kesselheim wrote:

Birding friends - I am sharing this in the spirit of an informational and non-political perspective on our shared passion; I hope that's OK within the listserv community. I don't need replies unless you wish to, and I'm happy to receive those off-list. From where I sit it seems like the community of birders in the world is not yet representative of who lives in our towns and our region.

This is a 2-minute video called "Birding While Black." It showed me yet another way that I don't have to be reminded of my race: when I step out of the house wearing a hoodie and carrying binoculars. For me it was important food for thought and action.

Best,
Craig K

Re: [Maine-birds] Not often on birder's radars: white privilege

Having recently moved from Maine to Charlotte NC, I have quickly acclimated to a much higher percentage of the population being of color, which is not an issue with me at all.

The Local Audubon Society, Mecklenburg Audubon welcomes anyone to join , and go on field trips, which is what I enjoy most.

I have seen no discrimination in the birding community either in Maine or in North Carolina, and welcome birders of any color to our growing ranks.

Thanks

Happy birding 🦅

Sent from my iPad

On Jun 18, 2018, at 4:36 PM, David Gulick <dvdgu741@gmail.com> wrote:

Excellent video. Thought provoking. In a related vein, when I started birding 60 years ago, birding was only done by "dweebs" and "dorks", neither of which I aspired to be as an intelligent and athletic kid. I hid my binoculars under my arm for decades and only took them out if I needed to see something and sometimes I even skipped looking at a bird because of other people around me. I used to bird with a close friend and when we had scopes set up at Newburyport harbor scanning the ducks and geese and shorebirds, it was totally common for a carload of townies to drive by and start yelling at us. It was a real drag. That said, thanks to the video, I see that my "problem" pales in comparison with birding while black. Thank you for the eye-opening video.
David Gulick

Sent from my iphone with auto incorrect activated :-)

On Jun 18, 2018, at 3:58 PM, Craig Kesselheim <ckesselheim@gmail.com> wrote:

Birding friends - I am sharing this in the spirit of an informational and non-political perspective on our shared passion; I hope that's OK within the listserv community. I don't need replies unless you wish to, and I'm happy to receive those off-list. From where I sit it seems like the community of birders in the world is not yet representative of who lives in our towns and our region.

This is a 2-minute video called "Birding While Black." It showed me yet another way that I don't have to be reminded of my race: when I step out of the house wearing a hoodie and carrying binoculars. For me it was important food for thought and action.

Best,
Craig K

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Re: [Maine-birds] Not often on birder's radars: white privilege

Excellent video. Thought provoking. In a related vein, when I started birding 60 years ago, birding was only done by "dweebs" and "dorks", neither of which I aspired to be as an intelligent and athletic kid. I hid my binoculars under my arm for decades and only took them out if I needed to see something and sometimes I even skipped looking at a bird because of other people around me. I used to bird with a close friend and when we had scopes set up at Newburyport harbor scanning the ducks and geese and shorebirds, it was totally common for a carload of townies to drive by and start yelling at us. It was a real drag. That said, thanks to the video, I see that my "problem" pales in comparison with birding while black. Thank you for the eye-opening video.

David Gulick

Sent from my iphone with auto incorrect activated :-)

On Jun 18, 2018, at 3:58 PM, Craig Kesselheim <ckesselheim@gmail.com> wrote:

Birding friends - I am sharing this in the spirit of an informational and non-political perspective on our shared passion; I hope that's OK within the listserv community. I don't need replies unless you wish to, and I'm happy to receive those off-list. From where I sit it seems like the community of birders in the world is not yet representative of who lives in our towns and our region.

This is a 2-minute video called "Birding While Black." It showed me yet another way that I don't have to be reminded of my race: when I step out of the house wearing a hoodie and carrying binoculars. For me it was important food for thought and action.

Best,
Craig K

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[Maine-birds] Not often on birder's radars: white privilege

Birding friends - I am sharing this in the spirit of an informational and non-political perspective on our shared passion; I hope that's OK within the listserv community. I don't need replies unless you wish to, and I'm happy to receive those off-list. From where I sit it seems like the community of birders in the world is not yet representative of who lives in our towns and our region.

This is a 2-minute video called "Birding While Black." It showed me yet another way that I don't have to be reminded of my race: when I step out of the house wearing a hoodie and carrying binoculars. For me it was important food for thought and action.

Best,

Craig K

[Maine-birds] MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND REPORT

Will it ever warn up? I suppose it is getting better but it seems a slow grind.

Last week produced more species than we usually see this far into the post-migration season.

There were brief visits by an EASTERN KINGBIRD, a EASTERN MEADOWLARK, an EASTERN BLUEBIRD, 2 EASTERN PHOEBES, 2 ROBINS and a BLACKPOLL WARBLER.

A RED BREASTED NUTHATCH and a BLACK TERN each continue to linger and at least once there was a sub-adult Black Tern present, along with the usual adult.

Young SAVANNAH SPARROWS are beginning to emerge and adults can be seen carrying food to lots of nest locations.

At least one GREY CATBIRD continued its multi-week visit, although it hasn't been very visible over the weekend. I'm beginning to wonder whether it's still around or whether it's just adopted extreme stealth tactics to avoid the attention of aggressive Terns.

Also sighted last week were a very late HARLEQUIN DUCK, 2 RED KNOTS and a white (leucistic) COMMON MURRE.
(Our partially white Puffin is back to it's regular location, apparently nesting.)

Swallows of various persuasions were uncharacteristically frequent last week. Granted, only 1,2 or 3 at a time, but we rarely see any outside of migration. ROUGH WINGED, TREE, CLIFF AND BARN SWALLOWS were all identified.

Also uncharacteristic was one day with several BUTTERFLIES. 2 TIGER SWALLOWTAILS were of special note.

Wednesday's BIRD-OF-THE-DAY: a LITTLE BLUE HERON the stirred up all manner of fuss among the Terns so, with the help of a Tern escort, I encouraged it to leave the island.

The Terns are still dropping eggs and establishing some new nests but most are well into their incubation.
Overall, the number looks good this year. A NEST CENSUS was conducted on the weekend, with a total of about 450 as the final tally. That's only about 11% of the all-time high but it's also a very good recovery.
Now it's a waiting game to see how many actually fledge: the actual chick survival.
The first hatching has started. We saw a handful during the census and there are a few around the lawns.
Hopefully, those first out of the shell will survive the fog that we had overnight and the potentially heavy rain that's forecast.
We depend on a cistern for our domestic water so we like to have rain on a regular basis. However, for the Tern's sake, two or three warm, dry weeks would be good.

The Alcids are just beginning to bring food, evidence that a few young have hatched. An occasional RAZORBILL or MURRE chick can be spotted peaking from under its parent. Weather doesn't bother them as much as it does the Terns but it's still a factor. Everybody's chicks need to be protected and fed and that's harder to do when the weather is sour.

COMMON EIDERS are much in evidence. The Eider nesting population swings widely from year to year. I've seen a low of 38 nests and a high of nearly 160.
The Eider nest count (conducted incidental with the Tern Nest Census) yielded 78 nests with eggs or hens present. That's potentially around 250-300 ducklings. Survival rate here is usually better than average.
As I've mentioned before, this species tends to nest later here and the heft of the ducklings can be expected around July 1st.

LAUGHING GULLS are daily visitors and there has been some apparent nest-site prospecting.

The 3 GANNETS continue to frequent the island and their favored spots, although for the last few days only 2 of them have been seen at the same time.

It looks like their interest in nesting is on the wane. Yesterday, one was seen with nesting material but just that one time.

I haven't seen any SPOTTED SANDPIPER chicks but some of the adult behaviour suggest that there are chicks off the nest and foraging.

Friday, 15 June 2018

[Maine-birds] Maine Bird Atlas - Weekend Challenges, 6/15

Hi everyone:

Another week, another set of challenges! As mentioned last week, we are now within the safe dates for all of Maine's birds, meaning you can "safely" report all possible codes. Also, we'll be holding an atlas-specific eBird training at Gilsland Farm next Thursday (6/21) evening: https://www.facebook.com/events/200791800570689/

As usual, let's take a look at how we did with last week's challenges…

Common Eider - The map is filling in along the coast, increasing from 13 to 22 confirmed blocks, including a few offshore islands like Matinicus Rock and Mt Desert Rock. See the map here: https://ebird.org/atlasme/map/comeid?neg=true&env.minX=-72.22504882812501&env.minY=42.66619217260214&env.maxX=-65.28168945312501&env.maxY=45.12771958068954&zh=true&gp=false&ev=Z&mr=1-12&bmo=1&emo=12&yr=EBIRD_ATL_ME_2018

Song Sparrow - The goal was to bump up codes from probable to confirmed and you all did great! From 106 probable and 55 confirmed, we're now up to 118 and 74 respectively.

Confirmed species - 13 new species confirmed this week! Keep it going; can we get 10 more this week?

NEW CHALLENGES:

1) Red-eyed Vireo - Their map is filling in nicely with 197 possible records (lots of singing birds out there). 106 probable and 11 confirmed is a good effort so far but lets see if we can get more of those possible records upgraded. Singing birds continuing for 7 days can be entered as the probable code "S7". Singing rate will peak when their nestlings hatch so keep your eyes pealed! Here is a fun read on the "Nesting Life and Behavior of the Red-eyed Vireo": https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/28112141

2) Northern Cardinal - A bit of a southern Maine bias with this one, but we should be able to get more confirmed records with this species. 15 confirmed records seems a bit low so keep watching for adults carrying food or we should see some recently fledged young soon, maybe even following adults to your feeders.

3) Fledge an Atlaser - We are just a few volunteers short of 500 participants. Can you help us cross that mark this week? Introduce a coworker or neighbor to the project, and maybe bring them to our eBird training on Thursday!

Good birding and happy atlasing!

Doug Hitchcox
Maine Bird Atlas - Outreach Coordinator
Maine Audubon - Staff Naturalist
207-781-2330 x237
dhitchcox@maineaudubon.org

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Thursday, 14 June 2018

[Maine-birds] WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, 6/12, Washington Co.

On 12 June 2018, I found what is presumably Maine's first documented WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE on Roque Island (Washington County). This island has no public access, and the bird was not relocated on the 13th.

https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46494717

Willy Hutcheson
Beals, ME

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[Maine-birds] Contiuning phalarope at Weskeag

Hi,

I observed the female Wilson's phalarope around 7:30 am in the far pannes with 2 killdeer. There is a number of faded fence posts in the background view of this

particular panne.

Don

Wednesday, 13 June 2018

RE: [Maine-birds] snowy in bidderford?

Thanks so very much for the update, I sincerely appreciate it and will hope for the best.

Deb

On June 13, 2018 at 3:18 PM dwmp@avianhaven.org wrote:

We’ve gotten several calls about this bird today. The warden covering that area was just at the scene to assess the situation, along with one of our volunteer transporters. At this time, the bird is on a rooftop and has been observed flying, so capture was not deemed feasible at this time. But the warden service as well as we here at AH are aware of the bird and have a local volunteer standing by.
Diane at Avian Haven
www.avianhaven.org

From: maine-birds@googlegroups.com [mailto:maine-birds@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of DEBRA M POWERS
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2018 2:26 PM
To: maine-birds@googlegroups.com
Subject: [Maine-birds] snowy in bidderford?

It has come to my attention that there was a snowy sighting in Bidderford today and that the pictures that have been taken may show that it is not well. I have not seen the pictures however would like to suggest whomever is seeing it, that they contact the below. Let them come out and take a look at it and assess it's needs. Just a thought?
Thanks
Deb Powers-South Berwick Maine

On the Wing-Jane Kelly
47 Prescott Rd
Epping, New Hampshire 03042
(603) 686-2129

Or
Center for Wildlife
385 Mountain Rd, Cape Neddick, ME 03902
Phone:(207) 361-1400
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RE: [Maine-birds] snowy in bidderford?

We've gotten several calls about this bird today. The warden covering that area was just at the scene to assess the situation, along with one of our volunteer transporters. At this time, the bird is on a rooftop and has been observed flying, so capture was not deemed feasible at this time. But the warden service as well as we here at AH are aware of the bird and have a local volunteer standing by.

Diane at Avian Haven

www.avianhaven.org

From: maine-birds@googlegroups.com [mailto:maine-birds@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of DEBRA M POWERS
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2018 2:26 PM
To: maine-birds@googlegroups.com
Subject: [Maine-birds] snowy in bidderford?

It has come to my attention that there was a snowy sighting in Bidderford today and that the pictures that have been taken may show that it is not well. I have not seen the pictures however would like to suggest whomever is seeing it, that they contact the below. Let them come out and take a look at it and assess it's needs. Just a thought?

Thanks

Deb Powers-South Berwick Maine

On the Wing-Jane Kelly

47 Prescott Rd
Epping, New Hampshire 03042

(603) 686-2129

Center for Wildlife

385 Mountain Rd, Cape Neddick, ME 03902

Phone:(207) 361-1400

[Maine-birds] snowy in bidderford?

Thanks

Deb Powers-South Berwick Maine

On the Wing-Jane Kelly

47 Prescott Rd
Epping, New Hampshire 03042

(603) 686-2129

Center for Wildlife

385 Mountain Rd, Cape Neddick, ME 03902

Phone:(207) 361-1400

[Maine-birds] Weskeag phalarope redux?

Hi,

Eddie Edwards reported a female Wilson's phalarope in the near-road pools at Weskeag this early morning. At 7:30 am I observed the bird in the back pools foraging a muddy shore with a killdeer.

Don

Tuesday, 12 June 2018

[Maine-birds] Are there any Sandhill Cranes in the Smithfield area this year??

If I recall correctly, in some past years, some cranes have been reported in the Smithfield area.

Do not recall the time of year tho and have not seen any resent sighting posts.

I will be in that area this coming Saturday afternoon and would appreciate any information about where I might find some Sandhills.

Also - any hints for a hot spot for other species that one could bird when in the area late afternoon for an hour.

Please respond off line.

Thanks,

Marie Jordan

[Maine-birds] Wood Duck chicks

Big clutch of Wood Duck chicks in the beaver pond.
H.Donovan Long Island

Sent from my iPad

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[Maine-birds] Bank Swallows. Fryeburg, Maine

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

There is a colony of Bank Swallow just downstream from Weston's Beach in Fryeburg, Maine. They are mostly in Maine but a few burrows are in New Hampshire. They are best viewed with a scope from River Road, East Conway to the west of the beach or from a canoe on the Saco River. There are at least 40 burrows visible to the north from River Road but I believe there are more around the bend.

Bob Crowley

Chatham, NH

[Maine-birds] BBS

Have just finished my first running of the Cape Neddick Breeding Bird Survey in southern Maine. Picked a fine morning for it and we managed a whole lot of chipping sparrows and robins among other things and a few surprises too. Would love to hear from other surveyors about any tricks or tools they use to help separate out the bird calls etc. For example, at a few stops we had a robin or cardinal so close that it was near deafening and made it quite difficult to hear just about anything else. I’m told throwing rocks is bad etiquette!

Thanks, Dave Tucker Kittery Point

Monday, 11 June 2018

Re: [Maine-birds] Little Egret - yes - Eastern Road, 10:00am, 6/11 (also TRHE, NSHO, and shorebirds).

Hi all,

In my haste to post to the listserve in the field, I made two errors. One "tarting" was an autocorrect fail, as it should have been "tarrying." I was making no reference to their taste or demeanor.

Also, I should have said "two even-length or nearly so" plumes. Looking at a few of the photos of Little Egrets that have been posted, I am unsure if, based on distance, one of the bird's plumes could have been a little shorter or not.

No sign of any other or hybrid-types while we were there.

-Derek

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

Derek and Jeannette Lovitch

Freeport Wild Bird Supply

541 Route One, Suite 10

Freeport, ME 04032

207-865-6000

www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com

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

On Monday, June 11, 2018, 10:12:38 AM EDT, 'Derek Lovitch' via Maine birds <maine-birds@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Hi all,

Especially considering how many birders we have seen this morning, I thought I would report that Marion Sprague and I are currently looking at a/the LITTLE EGRET at the north end of Eastern Road Trail.

This is the "definitive" one(s) with two even-length long plumes without "shag" below, and greenish-gray lores; no sign of yellow but it is far enough that I could not swear by it.

Mustard-yellow feet, longer and marginally thinner and more pointed bill, lankier neck and legs, and slightly larger size all apparent

Additionally, we had the TRICOLORED HERON earlier, two drake NORTHERN SHOVELERS, and a nice mix of tarting shorebirds including 10-12 Semipalmated Sandpipers, 5 Short-billed Dowitchers, 1 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, and 1 Greater Yellowlegs.

-Derek

Sent from my iPhone

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[Maine-birds] Little Egret - yes - Eastern Road, 10:00am, 6/11 (also TRHE, NSHO, and shorebirds).

Hi all,

Especially considering how many birders we have seen this morning, I thought I would report that Marion Sprague and I are currently looking at a/the LITTLE EGRET at the north end of Eastern Road Trail.

This is the "definitive" one(s) with two even-length long plumes without "shag" below, and greenish-gray lores; no sign of yellow but it is far enough that I could not swear by it.

Mustard-yellow feet, longer and marginally thinner and more pointed bill, lankier neck and legs, and slightly larger size all apparent

Additionally, we had the TRICOLORED HERON earlier, two drake NORTHERN SHOVELERS, and a nice mix of tarting shorebirds including 10-12 Semipalmated Sandpipers, 5 Short-billed Dowitchers, 1 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, and 1 Greater Yellowlegs.

-Derek

Sent from my iPhone

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Sunday, 10 June 2018

[Maine-birds] CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW - Orland, 6/6 & 6/9

On the evening of June 6th, Cheri Domina found a singing Chuck-will's Widow in the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands in Orland (Hancock County). The bird was still present last night when she led a walk for Downeast Audubon. On both nights the bird was heard calling just after 9:00PM.

Cheri shared that the Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust had traditionally allowed people to walk in after dark so there shouldn't be any issues accessing this location in the evening. The bird has been staying in an area on the east side of Valley Road near the Mountain View Trail, which is about 1.5 miles from the north gate or 3.3 miles from the south gate. It is a lovely walk but a bike would make for a quicker trip to this location. A map of the Wildlands is available here: http://greatpondtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/WildlandsMapSm.2016Rev.2017.pdf and Cheri's eBird list from the 6th is plotted right where the bird was singing both nights: https://ebird.org/atlasme/view/checklist/S46441369

Here is a recording of the bird from last night: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/103988121

Many thanks to Downeast Audubon (http://www.downeastaudubon.org) for putting on last night's walk and to Cheri for leading it. This is a great location for nightjars and the booming displays of Common Nighthawks was alone worth the journey. I also recommend people check out the Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust's site for more information on accessing the WIldlands (specifically the user guidelines for when the gates may be open): http://greatpondtrust.org

Good birding,

Doug Hitchcox
Staff Naturalist
Maine Audubon
207-781-2330 x237
dhitchcox@maineaudubon.org

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[Maine-birds] Harlequin Duck, Quoddy Head SP, 6/10

Hello all,

For anyone interested in lingering seaduck sightings, Bill Rowe and his Missouri birding group called at 12:30 to report a female Harlequin Duck off of the lighthouse at Quoddy Head State Park.

-Jeannette

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

Derek and Jeannette Lovitch

Freeport Wild Bird Supply

541 Route One, Suite 10

Freeport, ME 04032

207-865-6000

www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com

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