Bradbury Mountain State Park
Pownal, Maine, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: May 01, 2023 Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total Black Vulture 0 0 2 Turkey Vulture 0 0 500 Osprey 1 1 252 Bald Eagle 0 0 53 Northern Harrier 0 0 76 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 1 312 Cooper's Hawk 0 0 32 Northern Goshawk 0 0 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 50 Broad-winged Hawk 3 3 1890 Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 66 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 0 251 Merlin 2 2 54 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 4 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 7 Unknown Buteo 0 0 1 Unknown Falcon 0 0 4 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 16 Total: 7 7 3572
Observation start time: 11:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 4.75 hours Official Counter Zane Baker Observers: Dave Gulick, Jim Pinfold
Visitors:
3 people.
Weather:
Stormy weather and poor visibility kept me from opening until just after noon today. Fog quickly burned off and left a nice mix of sun and a few clouds. Temps were nice, and in the 60's. Winds were blowing very strong from the WSW but slowly softened as the afternoon rolled on.
Raptor Observations:
I was hoping for and kind of expecting to have a day similar to last season when we experienced a similar day of weather at a similar point in the season. After the fog and rain birds were zipping by with a strong tailwind. However that did not occur this time around. I was hopeful as a couple Merlin and an Osprey were on the move the second I arrived but the flight quickly ended and not much more was spotted. Local Red-tails were taking advantage of the winds as they were spotted multiple times kiting and displaying to each other. Today was a bummer and might have been our only hope for more birds until the season's end, which is why I am officially handing in my two week notice.
Non-raptor Observations:
Given the winds and late start, we didn't hear much up there. Only 17 species were seen or heard today. Pine Warblers along with some trees leafing out added a little splash of color to our day, not to mention that gorgeous blue sky and sunshine.
Predictions:
I'm hoping to be able to swim in the basement sometime soon and that dream could come true as more rain is predicted for tomorrow. We might eke out a few hours in the morning before it gets underway. Winds could be strong again but this time from the SE, my favorite. Temps should be mild and in the 50's.
Report submitted by Jeannette Lovitch (freeportwildbird@yahoo.com)
Bradbury Mountain State Park information may be found at: www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com/bradbury-mountain-hawkwatch
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]
Monday, 1 May 2023
[Maine-birds] Fwd: Bradbury Mountain State Park (01 May 2023) 7 Raptors
[Maine-birds] MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND REPORT
I returned to the island Thursday, last.
The ALCIDS are well into their breeding season and our one GANNET is back.
I'm told that one or two other Gannets paused briefly.
Although our Gannet, a (presumed) male, has again built a nice nest in its regular spot, none of the passing Gannets showed any inclination towards setting up housekeeping.
That's been the story for the past few years. It seems that this bird is destined to the single life, much like another lone Gannet, at a Cormorant colony in Nova Scotia, several years ago.
COMMON EIDERS are back with somewhere around 100 in evidence.
HARLEQUIN DUCKS are still here but many have departed. I counted about 40 yesterday (Sunday).
A few SURF SCOTERS stopped for an hour or so near the island on Friday & Saturday. I saw 4 flocks with 6 to 14 individuals in each.
There are still at least a handful of PURPLE SANDPIPERS here, but I haven't seen much else in the way of shorebirds since WOODCOCK passed through a month ago.
Gulls are ubiquitous and constantly patrolling the seabird colony. HERRING, BLACK BACKED, a few ICELAND & a couple GLAUCOUS GULLS are seen with pretty much all year classes represented but it's the Herring Gulls that are mostly in the colony. The others are mainly non-breeders just scavenging around the island.
Quite a few obvious pairs of Herring Gulls and perhaps a pair of Black Backs, are house hunting here on the island.
A few raptors, other than EAGLES, have been filtering through. Over the past 3 days: 2 PEREGRINES; 3 HARRIERS; 1 MERLIN & 3 SHARP SHINNED HAWKS.
There have been up to 3 Eagles here at one time, both actively hunting and squabbling with each other. All appear to be 4th year birds.
Our semi-resident RAVENS are around daily, acting like raptors and terrorizing the alcids, especially the Puffins.
Mainly they scavenge but no exposed egg is safe, and they will attack an adult Alcid if they see a weakness.
The migrating small birds have been well represented, at least in numbers if not so much in variety.
WHITE THROATED SPARROWS dominate by number, and with their perchance for aggressive scratching, any bare ground is well tilled.
SAVANNAH SPARROWS are back in strength, and as our resident breeders, should remain stable. Some of them are obliviously on territory.
SONG SPARROWS have diminished. JUNCOS are plentiful.
There was an abrupt drop in sparrow numbers prior to the inclement currently passing through. Until Sunday there were thousands feeding and squabbling everywhere that one looked.
100-150 could be seen just on our patio. Now, there are only handfuls.
I'm expecting colourful arrivals soon. (Update) Before I had this finished for posting, a nice male ROSE BREASTED GROSBEAK appeared on the patio and is chowing down on sunflower seeds. Next? A TOWEE, maybe?
A female CARDINAL has been frequently visiting our patio, as well as a DOWNY WOODPECKER.
Interestingly, the Downy hasn't touched suet but is ground-feeding on oil seed.
Both of these species are rare out here (often 2 or 3 years between sightings). But, having said that, there were 3 DOWNY, 1 HAIRY & a RED BELLIED WOODPECKER here at one time last fall.
A few FLICKERS have been tempting the raptors by foraging mainly in the open.
There has been a sprinkling of GRACKLES, RED WINGED BLACKBIRDS & COWBIRDS but no more than 10, in total. None of those are around today, Monday, post-rainstorm.
It was still windy and dense fog replaced the heavy, overnight rain. With a slightly brighter sky, a couple BARN SWALLOWS arrived. Finding a scrap of food has got to be near impossible out here, with this weather. Finding flying insects out here is problematic under the best conditions. Thick fog, 25 knot winds and only 9 degrees C (48F) definitely is challenging.
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Read More :- "[Maine-birds] MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND REPORT"
The ALCIDS are well into their breeding season and our one GANNET is back.
I'm told that one or two other Gannets paused briefly.
Although our Gannet, a (presumed) male, has again built a nice nest in its regular spot, none of the passing Gannets showed any inclination towards setting up housekeeping.
That's been the story for the past few years. It seems that this bird is destined to the single life, much like another lone Gannet, at a Cormorant colony in Nova Scotia, several years ago.
COMMON EIDERS are back with somewhere around 100 in evidence.
HARLEQUIN DUCKS are still here but many have departed. I counted about 40 yesterday (Sunday).
A few SURF SCOTERS stopped for an hour or so near the island on Friday & Saturday. I saw 4 flocks with 6 to 14 individuals in each.
There are still at least a handful of PURPLE SANDPIPERS here, but I haven't seen much else in the way of shorebirds since WOODCOCK passed through a month ago.
Gulls are ubiquitous and constantly patrolling the seabird colony. HERRING, BLACK BACKED, a few ICELAND & a couple GLAUCOUS GULLS are seen with pretty much all year classes represented but it's the Herring Gulls that are mostly in the colony. The others are mainly non-breeders just scavenging around the island.
Quite a few obvious pairs of Herring Gulls and perhaps a pair of Black Backs, are house hunting here on the island.
A few raptors, other than EAGLES, have been filtering through. Over the past 3 days: 2 PEREGRINES; 3 HARRIERS; 1 MERLIN & 3 SHARP SHINNED HAWKS.
There have been up to 3 Eagles here at one time, both actively hunting and squabbling with each other. All appear to be 4th year birds.
Our semi-resident RAVENS are around daily, acting like raptors and terrorizing the alcids, especially the Puffins.
Mainly they scavenge but no exposed egg is safe, and they will attack an adult Alcid if they see a weakness.
The migrating small birds have been well represented, at least in numbers if not so much in variety.
WHITE THROATED SPARROWS dominate by number, and with their perchance for aggressive scratching, any bare ground is well tilled.
SAVANNAH SPARROWS are back in strength, and as our resident breeders, should remain stable. Some of them are obliviously on territory.
SONG SPARROWS have diminished. JUNCOS are plentiful.
There was an abrupt drop in sparrow numbers prior to the inclement currently passing through. Until Sunday there were thousands feeding and squabbling everywhere that one looked.
100-150 could be seen just on our patio. Now, there are only handfuls.
I'm expecting colourful arrivals soon. (Update) Before I had this finished for posting, a nice male ROSE BREASTED GROSBEAK appeared on the patio and is chowing down on sunflower seeds. Next? A TOWEE, maybe?
A female CARDINAL has been frequently visiting our patio, as well as a DOWNY WOODPECKER.
Interestingly, the Downy hasn't touched suet but is ground-feeding on oil seed.
Both of these species are rare out here (often 2 or 3 years between sightings). But, having said that, there were 3 DOWNY, 1 HAIRY & a RED BELLIED WOODPECKER here at one time last fall.
A few FLICKERS have been tempting the raptors by foraging mainly in the open.
There has been a sprinkling of GRACKLES, RED WINGED BLACKBIRDS & COWBIRDS but no more than 10, in total. None of those are around today, Monday, post-rainstorm.
It was still windy and dense fog replaced the heavy, overnight rain. With a slightly brighter sky, a couple BARN SWALLOWS arrived. Finding a scrap of food has got to be near impossible out here, with this weather. Finding flying insects out here is problematic under the best conditions. Thick fog, 25 knot winds and only 9 degrees C (48F) definitely is challenging.
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Re: [Maine-birds] Digest for maine-birds@googlegroups.com - 5 updates in 5 topics
What about Ruby—throats? Have yet to see my FOY.
> On May 1, 2023, at 4:32 PM, "maine-birds@googlegroups.com" <maine-birds@googlegroups.com> wrote:
>
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Read More :- "Re: [Maine-birds] Digest for maine-birds@googlegroups.com - 5 updates in 5 topics"
> On May 1, 2023, at 4:32 PM, "maine-birds@googlegroups.com" <maine-birds@googlegroups.com> wrote:
>
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[Maine-birds] BT Green warbler
Returned today to our house, Cape Neddick/west.
Sent from my iPhone
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Read More :- "[Maine-birds] BT Green warbler"
Sent from my iPhone
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[Maine-birds] Rufous Hummingbird - Frankfort, 1 May
A RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD has been photographed by Ronda Curtis at her home in Frankfort. She is willing to have visitors at 213 Murray Road - located 0.7 miles down the dirt road ("in the woods") on the right; park in the drive way.
Read More :- "[Maine-birds] Rufous Hummingbird - Frankfort, 1 May"
[Maine-birds] Great Blue Heron Eating Young Groundhogs
On two occasions this morning at our pond, an hour apart, I saw a great blue heron holding a struggling small mammal. The prey was bigger than a chipmunk but similar in color but more toward the size of a small grey squirrel. The heron poked and poked the first prey and attempted to walk to the pond but suddenly dropped the animal. They prey was not going anywhere at that point. I assume it eventually came back to it on the shore. The next observation was at the northeast side of our pond about an hour later. When I looked, the heron had a struggling prey, exactly like the last one. This was more clearly seen. It twisted and twisted in the bill trying to get away until the heron took it to the water and dunked it a few times.
Susan Bloomfield
Kennebunk
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[Maine-birds] SEA EAGLE
For those who are following the travels of the Steller's Sea Eagle: it appears that it has once again found its way to Newfoundland.
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Read More :- "[Maine-birds] SEA EAGLE"
Here is the link to posting on the FB site.
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