Saturday, 10 December 2022

Re: [Maine-birds] Lubec Eagle Morning

Congregations like this are very common outside of the breeding season, for a few reasons.
One likely made a kill or discovered something to scavage and others investigated in hope of sharing a meal.
Eagles are no longer tied to their breeding territories and those which don't migrate south (of us) tend to move to the coast. Interior waters are generally frozen and the land is snow covered, severely limiting hunting and scavenging opportunities. 
The open water, unfrozen intertidal zone, and abundance of seasonal food on the coast are attractive. 
Red Breasted Mergansers and gulls, especially Ring Billed, are two principal winter foods. 
Dead and winter-weakened animals are also easier to find in coastal areas.
The winter population of Eagles in the Passamaquoddy Bay region had held fairly constant for several decades at 200+.
Some travel considerable distance. One used to come Downeast every winter from Alberta.

Regards,
Ralph.

On Saturday, 10 December 2022 at 09:25:01 UTC-4 chr...@myfairpoint.net wrote:
I wonder if this connected to some sort of fish run.  Last year, in November we were there at low tide and counted at least 50 Bald Eagles, the vast majority of which were immatures or sub-adults.

Seems  like it would be a good place for their cousin to hang out--the Steller's that is.

Wally S.



On Sat, 10 Dec 2022 08:10:52 -0500, "Jennifer Multhopp" <rmul...@maine.rr.com> wrote:
 

I just counted 24 Bald Eagles on the mudflats close to shore at the clammer pull off on South Lubec Road approaching West Quoddy West Quoddy. They were concentrated in a fairly small area. Most were sub adults, with a third or so being adults. As I scanned the mud flats further out I could see several others resting on hummocks. There were an additional 5 in the air near the intersection of South Lubec Rd. and Boot Cove Rd. Such a sight on this cold windy morning.

Jennifer Multhopp

Lubec

 

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