Labor Day Birding

Today: Sept. 6th, 2008: As I watch our feeders being over-run with Juvenile American Goldfinches, you can’t help but wonder if they know that the remnants of Tropical Storm Hanna is coming. A literal feeding frenzy has been going on since first light here at Fiddler’s Reach.

 

Even through the gloom of fog and showers, many species of birds are feeding. In anticipation of the four to five inches of rain and strong winds that are expected, I made sure the feeders were filled to the brim early this morning.

 

As Hanna nears, you can watch the progress of the storm on the BathMaineWeather.com Nexrad Radar. Also, as an added bonus, there is a page on the site with Live Buoy Observations.

It’s 1:00 p.m. and we have a influx of Warblers coming to the trees and feeders. As we are trying to identify the Warblers, a Hawk came screaming in to the finch feeder, not snagging any prey and just avoiding a collision with our house.

I have been using a mixture of Niger Seed and Sunflower Chips in my Finch feeders. In our other feeders, we use a regional blend from Wild Birds Unlimited. Choice Blend has nuts, blackoil sunflower seed, safflower, cherries, rasins and suet nuggets.  This mixture is a hit for the birds visiting our feeders. Squirrels love it also, so it’s a good idea to put it in feeders that the Squirrels have no access to.

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Over the Labor Day Weekend, the weather was beautiful. (Saturday morning was cloudy and foggy, but it all burned off by noon.)By simply walking out onto our back deck Saturday morning, we were treated to a Warbler fall out. The action was nearly impossible to keep up with!

Bird watching from your deck or back yard takes little effort, causes no pollution and you have the added benefit of having all of your tools of bird identification on hand.

As all good things come to an end, so did the plethora of birds. A Red-Tailed Hawk flew in and just missed grabbing a Wilson’s Warbler. The Hawk then decided to sit in the tree in the middle of our yard, which in turn kept all birds away for the rest of the morning.

We did manage to tally 50 species!

Location:     Home (Fiddler’s Reach section of the Kennebec River, 2 miles SE of Bath, Maine)
Observation date:     8/30/08
Notes:     Cloudy, light fog, Temp. 60 F. Wind: Calm, Low Tide
Number of species:     50

Canada Goose     35
American Wigeon     1     With Green-Winged Teal and American Black Ducks
American Black Duck     90
Mallard     15
Green-winged Teal     6     With American Black Ducks
Common Loon     1     In Flight
Double-crested Cormorant     16
Great Egret     1
Snowy Egret     9
Little Blue Heron     2
Osprey     1
Bald Eagle     1
Red-tailed Hawk     1     Attempted to grab a Wilson’s Warbler without luck
Semipalmated Plover     13
Lesser Yellowlegs     4
Semipalmated Sandpiper     6
White-rumped Sandpiper     2
Mourning Dove     3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird     7
Downy Woodpecker     2

Hairy Woodpecker     1
Eastern Phoebe     4
American Crow     8
Fish Crow     1     Vocalizing
Common Raven     1
Black-capped Chickadee     7
Tufted Titmouse     6
Red-breasted Nuthatch     1
White-breasted Nuthatch     3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     2
Gray Catbird     2
Cedar Waxwing     1
Northern Parula     1
Chestnut-sided Warbler     2
Black-throated Blue Warbler     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler     4
Blackburnian Warbler     1
Palm Warbler     1
Blackpoll Warbler     1
Black-and-white Warbler     2
Common Yellowthroat     2
Wilson’s Warbler     3
Chipping Sparrow     8
Clay-colored Sparrow     2     With Chipping Sparrows allowing us to differentiate between the two species.
Savannah Sparrow     1
Song Sparrow     7
Northern Cardinal     2
Purple Finch     2
House Finch     4
American Goldfinch     8

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2

 

Sunday morning, we took a short drive to Atkins Bay. The tide was at low, and shorebirds were out on the mudflats some distance from the shore.

Large flocks of Bonaparte Gulls were competing with shorebirds for space and food. One group of Snowy Egrets in flight numbered 15.

Whimbrels, Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Great Blue Heron, and many “peeps” could be seen from Green Point. Two first year Bald Eagles were seen flying over Atkins Bay, disappearing over the spruces towards Parker Head. A lone Osprey was seen fishing near Coxs Head where a few Black Ducks and Canada Geese were resting.

Not a bad three-day weekend!

Happy birding!

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Maine Shorebirds

From the south coast of Maine to the Mid-Coast, shorebirds were on the move these last two weekends. Fall migration is well underway and shorebird numbers are not disappointing. (This is a double post for last Saturday along the south coast and this Saturday along the Mid-Coast.)

Last weekend, we visited Goose Rocks Beach, Granite Point and Pine Point to observe the “peeps”. The highlight of the trip was the sighting of a Western Willet, which happen to land a few feet from where I was standing at the Lobster Co-op.

We watched a pair of juvenile Green Herons take turns atanding on a wire out on Granite Point. Also at this location, Northern Harriers were searching the marsh for food, as were Osprey and an immature Bald Eagle.

Goose Rocks Beach held its fair share of shorebirds, but as it was dead low tide while we were there, counts were difficult as the birds were fairly far out on the mudflats.

I have misplaced the list of birds we observed last Saturday morning. Hopefully I’ll find it and amend this post at a later time. In the mean time, enjoy the following pictures from last Saturdays bird watching trip to the south coast of Maine.

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(Click on map and use your up and down arrow keys to view the 3 locations on this map)

Yesterday, Sharon and I followed the peninsula south of Bath for our bird watching trip. It was such a beautiful morning, with bright sunshine and light winds. We birded Tottman Cove. Atkins Bay and Small Point for the first 2 hours after sunrise.

Our highlights were the sighting of a single Great Egret and Solitary Sandpiper at Tottman Cove (Maine Atlas, page 6 D-4) and 3 first year Bald Eagles on Lee Island near the Squirrel Point Light (Maine Atlas, page 6 D-5).

The following is our tally:

Location:     Small Point
Observers:  John and Sharon Briggs
Observation date:     8/23/08
Notes:     Clear Skies; Temp: 58 F.; SSW winds @ 3-5 mph
Number of species:     26

Canada Goose     30
American Black Duck     4
Common Loon     1     (Near pier at Ft. Baldwin)
Double-crested Cormorant     15
Great Egret     1     (Tottman Cove)
Snowy Egret     12
Great Blue Heron   1
Osprey     2     (1 Head Beach; 1 Tottman Cove)
Bald Eagle     3     (3 - 1st year on Lee Island near Squirrel Point Light)
Northern Harrier     3     (1 Sprague River; 2 Atkins Bay)
Red-tailed Hawk     1
Merlin     1
Black-bellied Plover     1
Semipalmated Plover     10
Solitary Sandpiper     1     (Tottman Cove)
Greater Yellowlegs     2
Willet     2
Lesser Yellowlegs     7
Whimbrel     3     (Atkins Bay)
Least Sandpiper     2     (Tottman Cove)
White-rumped Sandpiper     6
Short-billed Dowitcher     5
Long-billed Dowitcher     1
Mourning Dove     8
Belted Kingfisher     3
American Crow     18

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

The following are photos of some of the birds we observed during yesterdays bird watching trip. The Snowy Egret was very cooperative as I stood within 20 yards of it, the sun directly behind me. The bird more than likely had no idea that I was there.

Happy birding!

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Evergreen Cemetery Warblers

This mornings bird watching trip to Evergreen Cemetery in Portland was not quite as birdy as I would have liked, but Warblers were never-the-less numerous. Northeast winds for the last several days have limited the fallout, holding down the number of species.

Bob Malbon, Sharon and I arrived at the cemetery at 6:30 a.m. under clear skies and cool temperatures. Quite a few other birders were present, peaking at 50 people or so later in the morning. I heard a report of a Cape May Warbler on the woods side of the junk pond, but I never found it.

My highlight of the morning was a Nashville Warbler, which is a life bird for Sharon and I. He was very cooperative for the camera. It was the exact opposite with an American Redstart. I do not have a good photograph of this beautiful bird, and I still don’t. The Redstart was either in the shadows or deep in the brush. He later parked himself within 3 feet of me, but I had to shoot into the sun, which is not conducive for a good photo.

Species observed at Evergreen Cemetery:

Location:     Evergreen Cemetery, Portland, Maine
Observers: John and Sharon Briggs, Bob Malbon
Observation date:     5/11/08
Notes:     Clear skies, temps low 40’s, winds NE 10-20 mph
Number of species:     37

Mallard     10
Double-crested Cormorant     6
Merlin     1
Spotted Sandpiper     2
Mourning Dove     3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird     2
Downy Woodpecker     1
Pileated Woodpecker     1
Least Flycatcher     3
Blue-headed Vireo     1
Blue Jay     5
American Crow     16
Black-capped Chickadee     8
Tufted Titmouse     2
White-breasted Nuthatch     1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     5
American Robin     1
Gray Catbird     1
Northern Mockingbird     1
Nashville Warbler     4
Northern Parula     4
Chestnut-sided Warbler     2
Magnolia Warbler     1
Black-throated Blue Warbler     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler     3
Blackburnian Warbler     1
Black-and-white Warbler     2
American Redstart     4
Common Yellowthroat     4
Wilson’s Warbler     1
American Tree Sparrow     6
Song Sparrow     3
White-throated Sparrow     2
White-crowned Sparrow     1
Northern Cardinal     1
Brown-headed Cowbird     1
American Goldfinch     6

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2

I would like to report that not only did a Baltimore Oriole show up in our yard today, an Orchard Oriole also made an appearance! If we can get a nesting pair to stick around, I’ll be one happy birder.

The bird photographs below were taken at Evergreen Cemetery this morning. Click a thumbnail for a larger view. Comments and criticisms are greatly appreciated.

 

Happy birding!

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Warblers everywhere

This evening after having our meal, Sharon and I went to the back yard with the binoculars to do some bird watching. Flitting in the trees were a wide variety of Warblers, including two who now grace our life list.

Although I did not get any photos because of the lack of good light, our necks were aching after following the acrobatic birds doing there bug gleaning in the tree tops.

The Nashville and the Black and White Warblers were a first for us. I loved watching the Black and White move around the tree similar to how a Nuthatch maneuvers in a tree. Other Warblers would hover at times, trying for that juicy bug.

Among the madness in the trees, were American Goldfinches who would fool you for a split second as we tried to identify the bird action. At one point, 20 Goldfinches were either on the feeders or staging in the trees.

Most of these Warblers will be moving on to thier nesting areas, and I am hoping several species will stay and make our home thier home.

Here is the Warbler tally from this evening. (I am sure there are many more we missed, they are so hard to follow!)

Location:     Bath, Maine (Home)
Observers:    John & Sharon Briggs
Observation date:     5/6/08
Notes:     Partly cloudy, temp low 50’s
Number of species:     8

Nashville Warbler     1
Northern Parula     4
Yellow Warbler     2
Yellow-rumped Warbler     3
Palm Warbler     3
Palm Warbler (Yellow)     2
Black-and-white Warbler     4
Wilson’s Warbler     2

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2

As a side note, I am finding more and more characters out there stealing my images. As a photographer, I am outraged when people grab photos off the web and use them without consideration of copyright. I’ve been fighting this “It’s on the Internet, so it must be free!” ignorance for more than three years now.

Folks, if you see any of my images on the net, especially without a credit back to me or my website, please email me and let me know. There are several entities and people who I have given permission to use my images and they have a credit line with the image.

Happy birding!

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Glossy Ibis and a new camera

Hoping all week long that at least one of the weekend days would be bright and sunny, Saturday was just that. I finally had the chance to try out my new camera, a Canon 40D, that was purchased earlier in the week.

Sharon and I traveled down to Biddeford Pool area early Saturday morning for some bird watching and bird photography. We encountered Piping Plovers at Goose Rocks Beach, a Glossy Ibis at Granite Point and an early Common Tern at Fortunes Rock Beach.

While walking through Eastern Point Sanctuary, we flushed a Merlin in the woods near the gate. A Brown Thrasher was singing from the brush on the Wood Island side of the point, near an artist painting a landscape scene.

Through this week, the area around our home continues to be a hot spot for Osprey and Bald Eagles. Nearly every evening, these Raptors are everywhere. Some carrying fish, while others are looking for food. Just this morning, as the tide was coming in, Sharon and I watched an Osprey bathing just offshore.

A few new yard birds this week, including a Northern Mockingbird, Savannah Sparrow, Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, Northern Harrier, House Finch and a Yellow-Rumped Warbler. I will update the list on my 2008 Bath, Maine Yard Bird List shortly.

The following is a tally of birds seen during our birding trip to Biddeford Pool on Saturday.

Location:     Granite Point (traveling count)
Observers: John and Sharon Briggs
Observation date:     4/26/08
Notes:     Frosty and clear, temps mid 30’s, light NW winds.
Number of species:     38

Canada Goose     5
American Black Duck     7
Mallard     4
Northern Pintail     4
Green-winged Teal     2
Common Eider     16
Common Merganser     2
Common Loon     1
Double-crested Cormorant     50
Great Blue Heron     5
Great Egret     6
Snowy Egret     9
Glossy Ibis     1
Turkey Vulture     4
Red-tailed Hawk     1
American Kestrel     1
Merlin     1
Common Tern     1
Mourning Dove     3
Blue Jay     4
American Crow     16
Tree Swallow     20
Barn Swallow     1
Black-capped Chickadee     7
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     2
American Robin     13
Northern Mockingbird     9
Brown Thrasher     2
European Starling     11
American Tree Sparrow     2
Savannah Sparrow     1
Song Sparrow     5
White-throated Sparrow     1
Northern Cardinal     2
Red-winged Blackbird     4
Common Grackle     6
American Goldfinch     12
House Sparrow     9

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2

The following pictures were taken with a Canon 40D camera with an attached Canon 100-400mm L IS lense. Simply click a thumbnail image for a larger view. Comments and criticisms are greatly appreciated!

 

 

Happy birding!

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