Bird Alert

October 10, 2008

Name: Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert

Reporting Period: October 4 to October 10, 2008

Area: State of Maine

Compilers: Margi Huber, Stella Walsh

Of Special Note

A BARNACLE GOOSE joined the WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE and two CACKLING GEESE on October 6, at Thornhurst Farm in North Yarmouth where all four continue on October 10.

Species moving in numbers through Maine this past week were AMERICAN ROBIN, EASTERN BLUEBIRD and HERMIT THRUSH, NORTHERN FLICKER, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, GOLDEN and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, YELLOW-RUMPED and PALM WARBLER, PINE SISKIN, plus WHITE-THROATED and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW.

RED-THROATED LOON began to be reported along the coast. Waterfowl reports statewide increased dramatically.

York County

A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER visited a yard in Cape Neddick on October 8.

A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was pursuing a TURKEY VULTURE over the Skinner Mill Road in Wells on October 2.

Birds at the Sanford Sewage Treatment Plant on October 5 included an AMERICAN BITTERN, 22 AMERICAN PIPIT, and seven species of ducks.

Greater Portland

On October 8 a WILSON'S WARBLER was seen in Freeport and on October 9 this same species was seen at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth .

A juvenile AMERICAN-GOLDEN PLOVER was at Pine Point in Scarborough on October 5, while the salt pannes off Route 1 at Scarborough Marsh held a juvenile STILT SANDPIPER.

A BLACK GUILLEMOT was in Kettle Cove in Cape Elizabeth on October 8.

An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was seen at the Dragon Fields in Portland on October 5.

A WHITE-EYED VIREO and an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER were found at Capisic Pond in Portland on October 5, and a SANDHILL CRANE flew over the pond on October 6.

October 6 and 7 saw a major movement of migrants at Sandy Point on Cousin's Island in Yarmouth including an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER on October 6 and a YELLOW-THROATED VIREO on October 7.

A BARNACLE GOOSE was found on October 6 and continues at Thornhurst Farm on Rte. 115 in North Yarmouth . The goose has been seen both from Rte. 115 and from the Prince Well Road. Pulling over along Rte. 115 is difficult and not recommended.  In addition, an immature SNOW GOOSE was found on October 10. 

Two CACKLING GEESE and a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE continue to be present at Thornhurst Farm as well. PLEASE be respectful of private property when looking for these birds.

Midcoast

Two ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and a WINTER WREN were seen in a West Bath backyard on October 6.

Two RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER were on Hermit Island in Phippsburg on October 5.

At Green Point Farm WMA, in Dresden on October 6 a VESPER SPARROW was among the sparrow mix; and on October 10 an ORANGE-CROWNED and a TENNESSEE WARBLER were found along with a small group of FIELD SPARROW.

Monhegan

The October 6 fallout on Monhegan included an ORANGE-CROWNED and a CAPE MAY WARBLER, three LARK SPARROW, one or two additional CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, and a flock of 70 PINE SISKIN.

Kennebec River Valley (Augusta-Waterville)

In Litchfield, 50 WOOD DUCK and a GREEN HERON were seen on a small pond on private property with at least 10 RUFFED GROUSE in nearby woods and fields.

Six PECTORAL SANDPIPER, a BUFF BREASTED SANDPIPER, two WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, an AMERICAN-GOLDEN PLOVER, six AMERICAN PIPIT and a beautiful male PEREGRINE FALCON looking for breakfast, were seen on the Flood Farm on the River Road in Clinton on October 10. On October 9 a BAIRD'S SANDPIPER was seen but has not been seen since.

Ten SNOW GEESE were seen on the Kennebec River from the River Road between Clinton and Hinckley on October 8 and on October 10 eight were seen in the fields on the Peavey Road in Clinton .

Central Maine

Three WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL were in tall pines on the banks of the Stillwater River in Old Town on October 6.

On October 5, three adult male RUDDY DUCK swam around at the first pond at Taylor Bait Farm in Orono.

Western Mountains

A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER visited feeders in Otisfield on October 11.

Downeast

At least 135 NORTHERN GANNET were seen offshore on October 4 from the Wonderland Trail in Acadia National Park .

Three RED CROSSBILL were seen in unorganized territory on the Hancock-Washington County line.

A BROWN THRASHER and several EASTERN TOWHEES were at Mowry Beach in Lubec on October 5.

On October 10 a MARBLED GODWIT was found among 138 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, 49 SANDERLING, 4 DUNLIN, 12 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, 4 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, 3 PECTORAL SANDPIPER AND 2 SEMIPALMATED PLOVER.