Maine is hosting its first record of Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea) right now in Cape Elizabeth, and with the widespread attention it is getting we compiled some information and recommendations here for visiting birders:
The most important thing we want to share is the sensitivity and precaution birders should have in the area where the bird has been frequenting. It was found by Peter Griffin on Sunday, October 18, in the fields of Jordan Farm in Cape Elizabeth. This is a working farm and birders must not get in the way of their business. Do not park in the farmstand parking, but after you see the bird we highly suggest you go purchase some delicious produce and thank them for allowing access. The bird has most frequently been seen in the field on the north side of the east end of Wells Road, near the intersection with Spurwink Ave. Near this intersection there is a small area where birders are allowed to park BUT you need to make sure the view of oncoming traffic along Spurwink Ave is not blocked. This is a very busy intersection, especially in the morning with commuters and students using it. Please stand off the pavement when viewing.
On the map below, the area the bird is most frequently seen in is highlighted in green. The best parking is labeled in blue.
This is a Google Street View image of the intersection to highlight the areas that birders can park, but DO NOT park so close to the intersection that you block the view. Cape Elizabeth Police came by multiple times to encourage this.
Updates:
As of this writing, most of the sightings have been at the farm, though it has been seen in the Spurwink Marsh as well, viewed from the observation deck along Route 77, map here.
For the most up-to-date sightings, you can join the Maine Rare Bird Alert GroupMe. Instructions for joining that group are available here: tinyurl.com/MaineRBAGroupMeRules
How to ID a Gray Heron
Gray Herons are the Old World counterpart to our Great Blue Herons and look very similar! A major kudos needs to be given to local birder Peter Griffin for teasing this bird out, as many would have easily dismissed it as a Great Blue Heron. We were wrapping up our Aroostook Wild Goose Chase trip on Sunday when Peter’s photos came in, perfectly capturing some of the most important field marks: Gray Herons have clean white on the wrist and thigh, where these feathers are rufous on Great Blue Herons. These can appear very dull on Great Blues sometimes, but Peter’s bird was very white. In flight, the white wrists are often described as looking like bright headlights on the bird. The neck pattern is also fairly distinctive, with more contrast on young Grays than you see in Great Blues. Proportionately Gray Herons are also smaller, with shorter legs (in flight the feet barely stick out beyond the tail, while you see more of the legs [the tarsus] on a Great Blue Heron), and a smaller bill that is not has “heavy” or long as on a typical Great Blue Heron.
There is an article from the February 2002 issue of Birding on Gray Heron identification available to read here: The Identification of Gray Heron by Nick Lethaby and Ian McLaren
How Rare Is It?
As mentioned, this is the first record of Gray Heron to be documented in Maine, but even beyond our borders it is extremely rare. Rare Birds of North America (published by Princeton Press and currently on sale, 70% off) lists just a few North American records: two in far western Alaska, and two records for Newfoundland (11 October 1996, and 28 September- 2 October 2002). Since then, there have been a handful of records in Newfoundland, and at least four in the Canadian Maritimes. The Lower 48 States would get their first record in 2020 with a bird first seen at Tuckernuck Island, Massachusetts on 5 September, then Muskeget Island just to the west on 6 September, but with no opportunity for birders to see it. Then, what is almost certainly that same bird was photographed on 31 October at Chincoteague NWR in Virginia, and finally on 9 November 2020, a short way south in Beverly, Virginia. None of those records were seen by anyone beyond the original finders, so this bird in Cape Elizabeth, sticking around for many people to see, is a real treat for those willing to travel.
