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Browsing posts tagged with: bird alert

Audubon Rare Bird Alert May 7 – 13, 2013

Posted on: Thursday, May 16th, 2013

Reporting Period: May 7 – 13, 2013
Area: State of Maine
Compilers: Doug Hitchcox

Noteworthy Species Mentioned:

  • Redhead
  • Tricolored Heron
  • White-faced Ibis+
  • Black Vulture
  • Lesser Black-backed Gull
  • Caspian Tern
  • Common Murre
  • Red-headed Woodpecker
  • Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
  • Golden-winged Warbler
  • Summer Tanager
  • Orchard Oriole

(+ Details requested by Maine Bird Records Committee)

York County
Part of the Isle of Shoals, Appledore Island had a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL return this year, which is again breeding with a HERRING GULL. An ORCHARD ORIOLE was banded here on the 13th. Up to eight BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS were seen at Fort Foster in Kittery on the 10th. On the 10th, a GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER was reported from a home in Cape Neddick. A COMMON MURRE, possibly continuing from April 30th, was seen from East Point Sanctuary in Biddeford on the 8th.

Greater Portland
A TRICOLORED HERON and two WHITE-FACED IBIS continue to be seen at the Scarborough Marsh this week. A female SUMMER TANAGER was reported from Capisic Park in Portland on the 11th. The hawkcount at Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal continues and was highlighted by a BLACK VULTURE on the 13th. On the 7th an adult RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was found on Egypt Road near the Gray/Raymond town line. The bird was not relocated on the 8th.

Kennebec River Valley (Augusta-Waterville)
Two BLACK TERNS were reported from Messalonskee Lake in Belgrade on the 10th. On the evening of the 11th, a CASPIAN TERN was photographed flying downriver at the Shawmut Dam in Fairfield.

Northern Maine
Lake Josephine in Easton continues to host noteworthy waterfowl with: six GADWALL, four AMERICAN WIGEON, a pair of REDHEADS, and three RUDDY DUCKS present, as well as a SORA, on the 10th.

 

Audubon Rare Bird Alert April 29 – May 6, 2013

Posted on: Tuesday, May 14th, 2013

Reporting Period: April 29 – May 6, 2013
Area: State of Maine
Compilers: Doug Hitchcox

Noteworthy Species Mentioned:

  • Redhead
  • White-faced Ibis+
  • Sandhill Crane
  • Northern Lapwing+
  • Iceland Gull
  • Lesser Black-backed Gull
  • Glaucous Gull
  • Red-headed Woodpecker
  • Louisiana Waterthrush

(+ Details requested by Maine Bird Records Committee)

York County
A GLAUCOUS GULL was seen at the Saco Yacht Club at the end of Front Street in Saco on the 1st. On the 30th, a COMMON MURRE was seen from East Point Sanctuary in Biddeford. A return of WHIP-POOR-WILLS and GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS to the Kennebunk Plains was reported on the 6th.

Greater Portland
A WHITE-FACED IBIS was reported from various locations around the Scarborough Marsh throughout the week.

Lewiston-Auburn
Word finally got out on the 6th of a NORTHERN LAPWING in a field at the corner of Carpenter Road and Range Hill Road in Poland although it was reported to have been present since the 3rd. The bird was last seen flying northeast from this location on the evening of the 6th.

Kennebec River Valley (Augusta-Waterville)
A LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was reported singing from Vaughn Woods in Hallowell on the 28th and 29th. A SANDHILL CRANE was seen flying over Lower Togus Pond in Augusta on the evening of the 6th. Three SANDHILL CRANES were seen along Route 2 in New Sharon on the 1st. A high of five ICELAND GULLS on the 2nd and 2 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS

Penobscot Bay
Uncommon in this area, a FIELD SPARROW had been visiting a Sedgwick feeder for three days as of the 29th.

Downeast
A GRAY-CHEEKED/BICKNELL’S THRUSH was reported from the Mount Desert High School Ridge Trail on the 4th. An adult RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was seen again on the 1st at a private yard in Bar Harbor.

Northern Maine
A pair of REDHEADS continued at Lake Josephine on the 5th.

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Audubon Rare Bird Alert April 22 – 28, 2013

Posted on: Wednesday, May 1st, 2013

Reporting Period: April 22 – 28, 2013
Area: State of Maine
Compilers: Doug Hitchcox

Noteworthy Species Mentioned:

  • ‘Eurasian’ Green-winged Teal
  • Redhead
  • Tricolored Heron
  • White-faced Ibis
  • Glossy x White-faced Ibis (hybrid)
  • Purple Martin
  • Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
  • Bohemian Waxwing
  • Orchard Oriole
  • Hoary Redpoll

York County
At least 35 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were photographed atop Mount Agamenticus on the 23rd.

Greater Portland
A BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was seen on the Eastern Trail through the Scarborough Marsh on the 22nd. With a pair first arriving on the 16th, at least three WHITE-FACED IBIS and one presumed GLOSSY X WHITE-FACED IBIS HYBRID are being seen around the Scarborough Marsh. An adult TRICOLORED HERON was also seen throughout the week, most often at Dunstan Landing. Two BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS were seen at Capisic Park in Portland on the 25th and 26th. A male ORCHARD ORIOLE was photographed at the River Point Conservation Area in West Falmouth on the 26th. A well-described GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was reported from a yard in Gray on the 24th but was not seen again and went undocumented.

Kennebec River Valley (Augusta-Waterville)
A BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was photographed on the North Street Recreational Trail in Waterville on the 22nd.

Midcoast
A drake ‘EURASIAN’ GREEN-WINGED TEAL continued until the 22nd at the mouth of the Abbagadasset River, visible from Browns Point Road in Bowdoinham. On the 23rd, three BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS were photographed on Hermit Island.

Central Maine
Three PURPLE MARTINS returned to the Field of Dreams box at Unity Pond on the 22nd.

Northern Maine
A pair of REDHEADS returned to Lake Josephine in Easton on the 27th. In Woodland, a HOARY REDPOLL continued to visit feeders as of the 27th.

 

Audubon Rare Bird Alert March 18 – 24, 2013

Posted on: Monday, April 22nd, 2013

Reporting Period: March 18 – 24, 2013
Area: State of Maine
Compilers: Doug Hitchcox

Noteworthy Species Mentioned:

  • ‘Eurasian’ Green-winged Teal
  • Pacific Loon
  • Golden Eagle
  • Sandhill Crane
  • Northern Hawk Owl
  • Red-headed Woodpecker
  • White-crowned Sparrow
  • ‘Oregon’ Dark-eyed Junco
  • Hoary Redpoll

York County
On the 24th, a PACIFIC LOON was reported from the Cliff House in York.

Greater Portland
A WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW was relocated at Capisic Park in Portland on the 21st. Continuing from January 16th, an ‘OREGON’ DARK-EYED JUNCO is still being reported at feeders in Cumberland as of the 20th. The hawkwatch on Bradbury Mountain in Pownal continues to report early migrants daily, this week was highlighted by: two SANDHILL CRANES on the 18th and a GOLDEN EAGLE on the 21st.

Kennebec River Valley (Augusta-Waterville)
63 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were reported from Ridge Road in Waterville on the 20th.

Midcoast
A drake ‘EURASIAN’ GREEN-WINGED TEAL was found at the mouth of the Abbagadasset River, visible from Brows Point Road in Bowdoinham beginning on the 18th.

Penobscot Bay
On the 19th, an ‘OREGON’ DARK-EYED JUNCO was reported from feeders in Montville. A feeder on Kaler Street in Winterport continues to host a single HOARY REDPOLL.

Downeast
An adult RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was seen again on the 22nd at private feeders in Bar Harbor.

Northern Maine
A NORTHERN HAWK OWL was reported again throughout this week in Houlton. The bird has been seen a short distance down Access Road near York’s car dealership.

 

Audubon Rare Bird Alert April 1 – 7, 2013

Posted on: Monday, April 22nd, 2013

Reporting Period: April 1 – 7, 2013
Area: State of Maine
Compilers: Doug Hitchcox

Noteworthy Species Mentioned:

  • Greater White-fronted Goose
  • Snow Goose
  • ‘Eurasian’ Green-winged Teal
  • Sandhill Crane
  • American Oystercatcher
  • Lesser Black-backed Gull
  • Short-eared Owl
  • Hoary Redpoll

York County
An AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER was reported at Hills Beach in Biddeford on the 4th. Beginning on the 5th, a ‘EURASIAN’ GREEN-WINGED TEAL was present off Boom Road in Saco.

Greater Portland
On the 6th, a SHORT-EARED OWL was seen over Prouts Neck in Scarborough. Two SANDHILL CRANES continued to be seen in the fields along North Raymond Road, across from Mailman Road, in Raymond on the 2nd.

Kennebec River Valley (Augusta-Waterville)
Seven SANDHILL CRANES were photographed at Messalonskee Lake in Belgrade on the 4th. On the 4th, three SANDHILL CRANES were seen along Route 8 just south of Norridgewock.

Midcoast
Another drake ‘EURASIAN’ GREEN-WINGED TEAL and two BLUE-WINGED TEAL were seen at the mouth of the Abbagadasset River, visible from Browns Point Road in Bowdoinham on the 4th.

Downeast
On the 3rd, a COMMON GOLDENEYE X HOODED MERGANSER HYBIRD was seen on the East Machias River from Factory Road in East Machias.

Western Mountains
Six SNOW GEESE were spotted in the fields at the northeast corner of Old River Road and McNeil Road in Fryeburg on the 2nd.

Northern Maine
Collin’s Pond in Caribou hosted a SNOW GOOSE on the 6th. An adult GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE and a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL were reported here on the 7th. Another LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was found on the 7th down river near the Fort Fairfield/Caribou town line. Three HOARY REDPOLLS were picked out of over 350 COMMON REDPOLLS visiting a yard in Woodland on the 7th.

 

Audubon Rare Bird Alert April 8 – 14, 2013

Posted on: Friday, April 19th, 2013

Reporting Period: April 8 – 14, 2013
Area: State of Maine
Compilers: Doug Hitchcox

Noteworthy Species Mentioned:

  • ‘Eurasian’ Green-winged Teal
  • Sandhill Crane
  • Lesser Black-backed Gull
  • Long-eared Owl
  • Hoary Redpoll

York County

Two LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were reported at the mouth of the Saco River in Biddeford on the 8th. Continuing from the 5th, a ‘EURASIAN’ GREEN-WINGED TEAL was still present off Boom Road in Saco as of the 13th.

Greater Portland

On the 8th, a LONG-EARED OWL spent the day roosting in a neighborhood near Willard Beach in South Portland. The 10th was a great day for raptors as reported by the hawk count on Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal, highlighted by: 139 OSPREYS, 46 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 102 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, their first BROAD-WINGED HAWK of the season, and 102 AMERICAN KESTRELS. Two migrating SANDHILL CRANES also passed on the 13th.

Kennebec River Valley (Augusta-Waterville)
Up to two SANDHILL CRANES were reported from Messalonskee Lake in Belgrade this week.

Midcoast
A drake ‘EURASIAN’ GREEN-WINGED TEAL was seen again on the 9th at the mouth of the Abbagadasset River, visible from Browns Point Road in Bowdoinham.

Penobscot Bay
On the 14th, two LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were reported at Agricola Farm on Route 17 in Union.

Central Maine
A HOARY REDPOLL was photographed in a Skowhegan yard on the 10th.

Northern Maine
Two HOARY REDPOLLS were photographed visiting a yard in Woodland on the 13th.

 

Audubon Rare Bird Alert March 25 – 31, 2013

Posted on: Thursday, April 4th, 2013

Reporting Period: March 25 – 31, 2013
Area: State of Maine
Compilers: Doug Hitchcox

Noteworthy Species Mentioned:

  • ‘Eurasian’ Green-winged Teal
  • King Eider
  • Golden Eagle
  • Sandhill Crane
  • Lesser Black-backed Gull
  • Red-headed Woodpecker
  • Black-backed Woodpecker
  • Hoary Redpoll

Seasonal notes:
New arrivals this week included reports of: GREAT EGRET, SNOWY EGRET, OSPREY, TREE SWALLOW, CHIPPING SPARROW, and EASTERN MEADOWLARK.

York County
A GOLDEN EAGLE was reported from Mount Agamenticus in York on the 30th.

Greater Portland
On the 30th, a KING EIDER was photographed in the river at Pine Point in Scarborough. A new season record of NORTHERN GOSHAWKS was set this week at the hawk count on Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal. Six SANDHILL CRANES and the season’s first OSPREY were seen from the hawk watch on the 29th. Two SANDHILL CRANES were found in the fields along North Raymond Road, across from Mailman Road, in Raymond on the 30th and continued on the 31st. A HOARY REDPOLL visited a Pownal yard on the 28th and 29th.

Kennebec River Valley (Augusta-Waterville)
Four SANDHILL CRANES have returned to Messalonskee Lake in Belgrade, first reported on the 30th. Two HOARY REDPOLLS were photographed in Fairfield on the 27th with one continuing on the 31st.

Midcoast
A drake ‘EURASIAN’ GREEN-WINGED TEAL, first found on the 18th, continued at the mouth of the Abbagadasset River, visible from Brows Point Road in Bowdoinham. An adult GOLDEN EAGLE was reported from West Waldoboro on the 26th.

Penobscot Bay
A feeder on Kaler Street in Winterport hosted a HOARY REDPOLL on the 29th.

Central Maine
On the 27th, a ‘EURASIAN’ GREEN-WINGED TEAL was found at the marsh end of Fields Pond in Orrington. Four SANDHILL CRANES were reported flying over I-95 just north of the Newport exit on the 29th. A HOARY REDPOLL was photographed at the University of Maine in Orono on the 29th.

Downeast
An adult RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was seen again on the 29th at a private yard in Bar Harbor. On the 31st, a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER was found at Blagden Preserve on Mount Desert Island.

Northern Maine
A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was photographed at Collins Pond in Caribou on the 30th

 

Audubon Rare Bird Alert March 11 – 17, 2013

Posted on: Wednesday, March 20th, 2013

Reporting Period: March 11 – 17, 2013
Area: State of Maine
Compilers: Doug Hitchcox

Noteworthy Species Mentioned:

  • Snow Goose
  • Eurasian Wigeon
  • Canvasback
  • Red-shouldered Hawk
  • Piping Plover
  • Common Murre
  • Thick-billed Murre
  • Snowy Owl
  • Field Sparrow
  • Swamp Sparrow
  • Hoary Redpoll

York County
Continuing from December 31st, a FIELD SPARROW continues to make sporadic visits to a feeder in Berwick.
A SNOWY OWL was reported as being seen around Cutts Road and Picott Road in Kittery but was not seen on the 13th. An early PIPING PLOVER was reported at Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport on the 17th.

Greater Portland
A SWAMP SPARROW that likely overwintered at Capisic Pond in Portland was seen there on the 13th. On the 12th, an adult SNOW GOOSE was in the Scarborough Marsh visible from the Route 1 pull-off across from Anjon’s Restaurant. The bird was still here on the 13th. The hawkwatch on Bradbury Mountain in Pownal started on the 15th. Highlights included: 3 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS, 6 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK on the 15th, and four more RED-SHOULEDERED HAWKS on the 16th.

Midcoast
The mouth of the Abbagadasset River, visible from Brows Point Road in Bowdoinham, hosted a drake EURASIAN WIGEON on the 11th and 13th, two CANVASBACKS were present here on the 13th and 14th.

Penobscot Bay
There were two HOARY REDPOLLS visiting a feeder on Kaler Street in Winterport on the 13th.

Downeast
On the 13th, a COMMON MURRE was photographed in Somes Sound from Sargeant Drive in Mount Desert. Also on the island, a THICK-BILLED MURRE was reported from Sand Beach on the 14th.

Western Mountains
Two BARROW’S GOLDENEYES were seen along Harbor Road in Fryeburg on the 13th.
Route 113 through Fryeburg hosted over 60 SNOW BUNTINGS on the 13th and 18 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS on the 14th.

Northern Maine
A HOARY REDPOLL continues to visit a feeder in Woodland as of the 16th. On the 16th, a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was reported along the North Caribou Road in Fort Fairfield.

 

Audubon Rare Bird Alert February 25 – March 3, 2013

Posted on: Monday, March 11th, 2013

Reporting Period: February 25 – March 3, 2013
Area: State of Maine
Compilers: Doug Hitchcox

Noteworthy Species Mentioned:

  • Canvasback
  • King Eider
  • Golden Eagle
  • Black-headed Gull
  • Common Murre
  • Atlantic Puffin
  • Northern Hawk Owl
  • Red-headed Woodpecker
  • Varied Thrush
  • Bohemian Waxwing

Seasonal notes:
Signs of spring continue this week with the first push of RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS being reported around York and Cumberland Counties.

York County
BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were picked out of a flock of CEDAR WAXWINGS in Berwick on the 1st. A COMMON MURRE was photographed at the Nubble Lighthouse in Cape Neddick on the 3rd. The Saco River, viewed from Water Street in Saco, continues to host a BARROW’S GOLDENEYE and a RING-NECKED DUCK.

Greater Portland
A drake KING EIDER was seen again on the 1st, visible from the Yacht Club on Prout’s Neck in Scarborough. On the 1st, a COMMON MURRE was reported from Dyer Point in Cape Elizabeth. A CANVASBACK was spotted from Mill Creek in South Portland on the 27th. Six CANVASBACKS continue in the Presumpscot River, visible from the Route 9 bridge in Falmouth. These birds can also be seen at a distance from the Gilsland Farm Audubon Center.

Kennebec River Valley (Augusta-Waterville)
After not being seen since February 5th, an immature GOLDEN EAGLE was reported from River Road in Benton on March 2nd.

Midcoast
On the 1st, an ATLANTIC PUFFIN and a BLACK-HEADED GULL were reported from Popham Beach State Park in Phippsburg.

Penobscot Bay
A VARIED THRUSH continues to visit private feeders near Coleman Pond in Lincolnville.

Central Maine
A GLAUCOUS GULL was reported over the Bangor Auditorium on the 27th.

Downeast
An adult RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was seen again on the 27th at private feeders in Bar Harbor.

Western Mountains
17 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were reported from 666 Stow Road in Stow on the 28th.

Northern Maine
A NORTHERN HAWK OWL was reported again this week, on the 1st, in Houlton. The bird has been seen a short distance down Access Road near York’s car dealership

 

Audubon Rare Bird Alert February 18 – 24, 2013

Posted on: Wednesday, February 27th, 2013

Reporting Period: February 18 – 24, 2013
Area: State of Maine
Compiler: Doug Hitchcox

Noteworthy Species Mentioned:

  • Canvasback
  • King Eider
  • Barrow’s Goldeneye
  • Snowy Owl
  • Northern Hawk Owl
  • Belted Kingfisher
  • ‘Western’ Palm Warbler
  • Chipping Sparrow
  • Field Sparrow
  • Lark Sparrow
  • ‘Oregon’ Dark-eyed Junco
  • Baltimore Oriole

Seasonal notes:
Despite the continuing snowstorms, a few near-migrants saw an increase in abundance over the past week: reports of TURKEY VULTURES had a steady increase while NORTHERN FLICKER reports spiked mid-week.

York County
A FIELD SPARROW continues to visit private feeders in Berwick. An ‘OREGON’ DARK-EYED JUNCO was reported as making daily visits to feeders in York on the 22nd. Two SNOWY OWLS were seen on Wood Island, visible from East Point Sanctuary in Biddeford, on the 23rd. On the 20th, a CHIPPING SPARROW was reported in a flock of DARK-EYED JUNCOS on the UNE campus in Biddeford. The overwintering ‘WESTERN’ PALM WARBLER was seen again on the 19th at the Saco Yacht Club. The Saco River, viewed from Water Street in Saco, continues to host a BARROW’S GOLDENEYE and a RING-NECKED DUCK.

Greater Portland
Continuing from the 10th, a KING EIDER has been seen from the Yacht Club at Prout’s Neck in Scarborough. This bird was also seen from Pine Point on the 23rd and 24th. Three AMERICAN PIPITS were photographed at Scarborough Beach on the 21st. Six CANVASBACKS continue in the Presumpscot River, visible from the Route 9 bridge in Falmouth. These birds can also be seen at a distance from the Gilsland Farm Audubon Center. A LARK SPARROW continued as of the 22nd from the Greenbelt Trail near the Cape Elizabeth High School. The bird is often seen coming to the feeder at the mint green house but has also been seen at a feeder next to the neighboring brown house. The ‘OREGON’ DARK-EYED JUNCO coming to feeders in Cumberland continued on the 23rd and 24th.

Midcoast
February 18 – 24, 2013A BELTED KINGFISHER continued near the Rogers Neck Bridge in Phippsburg on the 19th.

Penobscot Bay
A flock of 102 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were reported from a home on Kaler Street in Winterport on the 18th. A BALTIMORE ORIOLE has also been overwintering at this location.

Northern Maine
A NORTHERN HAWK OWL continued this week in Houlton. The bird has been seen a short distance down Access Road near York’s car dealership.