A Barred Owl and a Barrow’s Goldeneye
December 9, 2007
A storm on Monday brought 6 to 9 inches of snow to the region with temperatures still well below normal.
While breaking for lunch at work on Friday, I parked along Back Cove off Preble Street in Portland and did some bird watching. I was not disappointed! Two groups of Snow Buntings, which totaled 40 birds, were feeding along the jogging path.
In Back Cove, Hooded Mergansers, White-Winged Scoters and Red-Breasted Mergansers were feeding. A Red-Tailed Hawk stood watch atop of the under construction Bayside Student Housing complex on the corner of Preble Street and Marginal Way.
Heading back to work, an adult Northern Shrike perched on a fench across from Wesco on Marginal Way. At this same location, Several Black-Backed Gulls chased and attacked some Crows in mid-air. As unusual as this is, it deserves the Crows right. Now they know what it’s like to be harassed!
This weekend was more or less quiet along our birding route. Cloudy skies kept my camera rig under wraps. The above picture of Mt. Washington, (click picture for a larger view) was taken this morning at Pine Point near Scarborough, Maine. Not included in the bird species list below, was the sighting of 3 Harbor Seals and a Gray Seal in the harbor at Pine Point. A Barred Owl and a Barrow’s Goldeneye were the highlights of our Sunday morning bird watching routine.
A large group of Purple Sandpipers were seen at Fortune Rocks Beach. I walked nearly a mile down the beach to get into position to get a photograph. Just as I crouched down to take a picture, a dog came chasing after the flock, with its owner jogging nearby doing nothing to keep the dog from harassing the birds. And of all things not to have under control on a beach, it was a bird dog. I said a few words to the owner, but I was completely ignored. Later as I walked back towards where I had parked, I watched as the dog went into the water after Gulls and Eiders, again with the owner paying no attention to what the dog was doing. Maybe a call to Fish and Wildlife would have been the route to go with this lug-head, but my battery was dead in my cell phone and I had no idea where he was parked to get a plate number. It’s irresponsible dog owners like this that allow their dogs to stress and kill our already depleted numbers of birds.
The following is a list of species seen this morning:
Location: Pine Point, Scarborough
Observation date: 12/9/07 Observers: John & Sharon Briggs
Notes: Mostly cloudy, light west winds, temperature 16 F.
Number of species: 32
Canada Goose 6
American Black Duck 16
Mallard 45
Common Eider 15
Surf Scoter 2
White-winged Scoter 3
Long-tailed Duck 12
Bufflehead 3
Common Goldeneye 30
Barrow’s Goldeneye 1 Seen off Bay St. Biddeford Pool
Hooded Merganser 4
Red-breasted Merganser 9
Wild Turkey 3
Common Loon 3
Horned Grebe 2
Red-necked Grebe 1
Great Cormorant 11
Purple Sandpiper 20
Dunlin 16
Mourning Dove 3
Barred Owl 1 Seen off Route 1 Scarborough
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 25
Common Raven 1
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 26
Snow Bunting 40
Northern Cardinal 3
House Finch 4
House Sparrow 10
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2
Happy birding!
Technorati Tags: bird watching, birds, birding, bird
Sphere: Related ContentMaine Audubon Rare Bird Alert: Dec. 7
December 7, 2007
Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert
Reporting Period: November 30 – December 6, 2007
Area: State of Maine
Compilers: Eric Hynes and Stella Walsh
Of Special Note
Sightings too numerous to list of NORTHERN SHRIKES, BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, PINE GROSBEAKS and COMMON REDPOLLS continue state-wide, with scattered reports of EVENING GROSBEAKS.
An unusually high number of BARRED OWLS have been seen recently, particularly road fatalities and birds active during the day indicating food stress.
DOVEKIES have been spotted along the coast for the first time this fall.
Lingering birds include NORTHERN FLICKERS, EASTEREN PHOEBE, CAPE MAY WARBLER, FIELD SPARROW, FOX SPARROWS, RUSTY BLACKBIRDS and BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
Other noteworthy species this week include REDHEAD, HOARY REDPOLL, THREE-TOED WOODPECKER, BLACK-HEADED GULL and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL.
York County
Birds seen off-shore in Saco Bay included an estimated 60 RAZORBILLS and three DOVEKIES on December 3. A few NORTHERN GANNETS, BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, GLAUCOUS and ICELAND GULLS are being seen daily.
A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen over Basket Island off Hills Beach in Biddeford where a CAPE MAY WARBLER also continues visiting a feeder at 148 Hills Beach Road.
Greater Portland
A late EASTERN PHOEBE was reported at the end of Phineas Road in Scarborough on December 2.
Four DOVEKIES and six BLACK GUILLEMOTS were seen off Dyer Point and Two Lights State Park on December 2.
A first year ICELAND GULL was roosting on top of the Re-Harvest building at the end of Milliken Street off Riverside Parkway in Portland on December 2.
Also in Portland, a CAROLINA WREN and a NORTHERN FLICKER were seen at the end of Hobart Street on December 5.
Two NORTHERN FLICKERS were still around Gilsland Farm in Falmouth on December 6.
Midcoast
A HERMIT THRUSH was at IF&W’s new boat launch on Mere Point Road in Brunswick on December 5.
A male RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER is regularly visiting a suet feeder on River Road in Topsham.
Two FOX SPARROWS continue at a feeder in Phippsburg.
A PIED-BILLED GREBE was spotted in Robinhood Cove as seen from Route 127 in Georgetown on December 1.
A FIELD SPARROW was found in the company of COMMON REDPOLLS at Green Point Wildlife Management Area in Dresden on December 2. PINE GROSBEAKS and COMMON MERGANSERS (in the Eastern River) are also frequenting Green Point WMA.
A WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL is visiting a thistle feeder daily in Waldoboro while on December 2 a BALTIMORE ORIOLE was photographed at a sunflower feeder in Waldoboro.
Kennebec Valley (Augusta – Waterville)
The waxwing flock on the former AMHI campus in Augusta had in the range of 200-300 birds over the past weekend with 90% BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS. A PEREGRINE FALCON was seen taking one on the wing on December 3.
A late AMERICAN WOODCOCK flushed from a back lawn in Belgrade on November 30.
Two REDHEADS are being seen on China Lake as viewed from Route 32 in Vassalboro.
A juvenile LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was teased out of the many Herring Gulls at Hatch Hill landfill in Augusta on December 6.
Four RUSTY BLACKBIRDS have been frequenting feeders across from Koons Hall on Quaker Hill Road on the Unity College campus in Unity.
Three drake BARROW’S GOLDENEYES continue among the Common Goldeneye flock at Fort Halifax in Winslow.
Penobscot Bay
A BLACK-HEADED GULL was picked out of a flock of Bonaparte’s Gulls in Belfast harbor on December 5.
An immature SNOW GOOSE has stayed for about a week near the Samoset Resort fairway pond in Rockport.
A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER continues his sporadic visits to a suet feeder on North Haven Island.
A FOX SPARROW dropped into a feeding station in Belfast on December 5.
Downeast
A HOARY REDPOLL was discovered among COMMON REDPOLLS at a feeder in Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island on December 4 and returned on the 5th.
A flock of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were feeding in apple trees in Perry on December 3 and 4.
Northern Maine (Aroostook County)
Somewhat north for this resident species, a male NORTHERN CARDINAL was seen at a bird feeder in Caribou. Even more unusual for northern Maine is a TUFTED TITMOUSE that has been visiting feeders on Canterbury Road in Presque Isle for over a month.
Muscovic Road in Stockholm continues to be a good place to look for AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER.
Report Provided By:
Eric Hynes
Staff Naturalist / Gilsland Farm Center Manager
Maine Audubon
20 Gilsland Farm Road
Falmouth, ME 04105
207-781-2330 ext. 237
ehynes@maineaudubon.org
www.maineaudubon.org
Pennsylvania birding report
November 26, 2007
Just a quick report on our Thanksgiving visit to Pennsylvania. The theme this trip was Hawks and Eagles. Although I did not get any pictures of these raptors, there are a few photos below of the activity around my brother Steve’s feeders, including a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker. It was good to be “back home” again!
Species noted are as follows:
Location: Mifflintown
Observation date: 11/24/07
Notes: Sunny, winds calm, temp 23 F.
Number of species: 29
Canada Goose 12 (Flight over Juniata River)
American Black Duck 6 (Feeding in Juniata River)
Mallard 4 (Feeding in Juniata River)
Ring-necked Pheasant 1
Wild Turkey 2
Bald Eagle 3 (2 immature, 1 Adult)
Cooper’s Hawk 4
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Merlin 1
Mourning Dove 5
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 11
Carolina Chickadee 1
Black-capped Chickadee 12
Tufted Titmouse 10
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 10
American Robin 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
Dark-eyed Junco 4
Northern Cardinal 2
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 11
House Sparrow 4
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2
Notice how the Yellow Bellied Sapsucker blends in with the tree it is on. If it had not moved it’s head, I would have never known it was there.
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Happy birding!
Technorati Tags: Pennsylvania, pictures, photos, birding
Sphere: Related ContentThanksgiving Greetings
November 21, 2007
We wish everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving Holiday!!
Are there many things we take for granted
without pause as we rush through our days?
Might we slow down for just a few seconds
as small blessings we quickly appraise.
Could we take a hot shower this morning,
brush our teeth at a porcelain stand?
Everyday acts, but seeming a luxury
to soldiers gritty with alien sand.
We could kiss our sweetheart and share a hug,
a common embrace of affection
unless you’re alone, far away from home,
danger lurking in each direction.
Later we’ll dine with dear family and friends
while defenders send love from afar.
Unselfishly, they wish us enjoyment -
a freedom celebration unmarred.
In a foreign land our soldiers struggle;
to be with us how strongly they yearn.
Please remember them this Thanksgiving Day
and say a prayer for their quick return.
~ Tomi Fratto ~
Sphere: Related ContentMaine Audubon Rare Bird Alert: Nov. 20
November 20, 2007
Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert
Reporting Period: November 16 – November 20
Area: State of Maine
Compilers: Eric Hynes and Stella Walsh
Of Special Note
This week’s rarities included a TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE in Brooksville and WESTERN KINGBIRDS in Falmouth and Scarborough.
Lingering species included BLUE-WINGED TEAL, WILSON’S SNIPE, BLUE-HEADED VIREO and CAPE MAY WARBLER.
BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, COMMON REDPOLLS and PINE GROSBEAKS continue to be widely reported, particularly in northern and central Maine. EVENING GROSBEAKS are still turning up at feeders but not in the numbers seen several weeks ago. NORTHERN SHRIKE reports continue state-wide at an above average rate.
York County
A CAPE MAY WARBLER continues to be seen at feeders along Hills Beach Road in Biddeford. The YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER at Fortunes Rocks has not been reported in this time period.
On November 18, a NORTHERN PINTAIL and a late BLUE-WINGED TEAL were among the 8 species of ducks at Sanford Sewage Treatment Plant. Also seen were a NORTHERN HARRIER, EVENING GROSBEAK, and a NORTHERN SHRIKE.
Saco Bay
Birds being seen off-shore in Saco Bay include RAZORBILLS, NORTHERN GANNETS, BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, ICELAND and GLAUCOUS GULLS.
Greater Portland
A BLUE-HEADED VIREO was found in Portland on the edge of the water treatment plant driveway which continues from the eastern end of Marginal Way.
The HUDSONIAN GODWIT continued to be seen through at least November 19 near the lobster co-op at Pine Point in Scarborough.
Sightings of the WESTERN KINGBIRD at Dunstan Landing in Scarborough have become few and far between but it was most recently reported on November 19. Another WESTERN KINGBIRD is frequenting crabapple trees near the barn at Tidewater Farm in Falmouth. Also noted at this spot were a single PINE GROSBEAK, an immature NORTHERN SHRIKE and an immature BALTIMORE ORIOLE who was feeding in the apple trees in back of the farmhouse.
Also in Falmouth, on November 19, an immature NORTHERN GOSHAWK was being harassed by crows as it soared over Gilsland Farm.
Fifty COMMON REDPOLLS were feasting on birch catkins at Florida Lake Park on November 18.
Five PINE GROSBEAKS perched in a deciduous treetop on Tuttle Rd, Pownal on November 15.
Two RED CROSSBILLS were at Pratt’s Brook Park, Yarmouth on November 17.
Androscoggin Valley
Lingering birds included a late RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD at feeders in Auburn and a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW in Buckfield.
Midcoast
Seven RED CROSSBILLS and about 15 COMMON REDPOLLS were at Merrymeeting Bay WMA in Dresden.
The flock of COMMON REDPOLLS at Green Point WMA has swollen to about 50 birds as of November 20.
A pair of BLUE-WINGED TEAL along with 232 Green-winged Teal and 69 American Coots were at the mouth of the Abbagadasset River, Brown Point Road in Bowdoinham.
A BALTIMORE ORIOLE is feeding on apples in a Phippsburg yard.
A flock of 50+ BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were feeding on winterberry at the Lake Nequasset boat launch off old stage road in Wiscasset on November 19.
Kennebec Valley
Colby College in Waterville is proving to be a reliable place to find PINE GROSBEAKS and BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS. A flock of 125 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were devouring crabapples near the tennis courts on November 19.
A BARROW’S GOLDENEYE was mixed into the large raft of Common Goldeneye on the Kennebec River off of Fort Halifax in Winslow on November 18.
Central - Bangor
Two BARROW’S GOLDENEYE drakes have joined the dozen COMMON GOLDENEYE drakes in the Penobscot River near the intersection of State St. and Hogan Rd. in Bangor.
Penobscot Bay
A TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE was discovered November 19 on the hill above the Bucks Harbor Market on Coastal Road in Brooksville.
Downeast
A WILSON’S SNIPE was seen in Machias on November 19. PINE GROSBEAKS, BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, and COMMON REDPOLLS continue in numbers in the Machias area.
Northern Maine- Aroostook
At the edge of its range, a TUFTED TITMOUSE was in Presque Isle.
Report Provided By:
Eric Hynes
Staff Naturalist / Gilsland Farm Center Manager
Maine Audubon
20 Gilsland Farm Road
Falmouth, ME 04105
207-781-2330 ext. 237
ehynes@maineaudubon.org
www.maineaudubon.org
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