[Maine-birds] Downeast Birdfest

Bob and I just got back from leading a field trip for the Penobscot Valley Chapter of Maine Audubon, checking out the Schoodic Peninsula and other Downeast hot spots.  The seabird numbers were down considerably from what we have seen here in previously years, but we made up in quality what we lacked in quantity.  Highlights were an American Wigeon keeping company with a few Gadwalls in Winter Harbor, nine Harlequin Ducks foraging in heavy surf at Schoodic Point, great views of a mink running across the rocks near Arey Cove, and two Red-throated Loons in Prospect Harbor.  We dipped on Purple Sandpipers, and also failed to score the Scoter Trifecta, finding only about 10 total Surf Scoters and maybe 25 Black Scoters over the course of the entire day, where in prior years we might see 100+ scoters in a single raft. We did find a bunched-up raft of around 300 Common Eiders enjoying the outgoing tide at the Tidal Falls Preserve in Sullivan, but only a few of the other seabirds that we expected to see there in greater numbers.  In total, we put 38 species on the trip list.  With emerging sunshine and temps surpassing 50 degrees by early afternoon, it was a great way to welcome the first day of spring!

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