Reporting Period: January 18 – 24, 2014
Area: State of Maine
Compilers: Doug Hitchcox
Noteworthy Species Mentioned:
- American Wigeon
- Northern Pintail
- Ring-necked Duck
- Golden Eagle
- Thick-billed Murre
- Thayer’s Gull+
- Snowy Owl
- Northern Hawk Owl
- Red-headed Woodpecker
- Marsh Wren
(+ Details requested by Maine Bird Records Committee: https://sites.google.com/site/mainebirdrecordscommittee/)
York County
On the 20th, a SNOWY OWL was reported from the Nubble Lighthouse in Cape Neddick.
A THICK-BILLED MURRE was reported from Perkins Cove in Ogunquit on the 20th.
Greater Portland
A SNOWY OWL was seen on the west side of the Eastern Trail through the Scarborough Marsh on the 20th.
On the 19th, a SNOWY OWL was found in the Back Cove area of Portland.
Rare in the winter, a MARSH WREN was found at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth on the 18th.
A SNOWY OWL was found at the hook and sandbar of Chebeague and Little Chebeague Islands on the 18th. On the 23rd, it was seen at the Indian Island Nature Preserve on Chebeague.
Winslow Park in Freeport hosted a SNOWY OWL on the 19th. This bird was seen along the shoreline walking trail.
Lewiston-Auburn
In Minot, a SNOWY OWL was found along Pottle Hill Road on the 23rd and continued as of the 24th.
Kennebec River Valley (Augusta-Waterville)
Present since the 18th but not recognized until the 20th, a possible THAYER’S GULL was found at the Shawmut Dam in Fairfield. Best viewing is accessed by going to the east end of Kennebec St. and turning left, then walking up to look over the area above the dam. This bird was present on the 21st, 23rd, Pending ME-BRC review, this would represent Maine’s third record of this species.
Midcoast
Continuing from January 2nd, immature RED-HEADED WOODPECKER is still being seen along Whiskeag Road in Bath. Most observations are near the Whiskeag Creek, near the address: 166 Whiskeag Road, Bath.
It appears the first of the two GOLDEN EAGLES is now back at the Bath Landfill, located at the end of Detritus Drive.
Penobscot Bay
Lingering waterfowl in the Camden Harbor this week included an AMERICAN COOT, AMERICAN WIGEON, and RING-NECKED DUCK on the 20th.
Central Maine
Since November 12th, a NORTHERN HAWK OWL has been seen near the intersection of Route 116 (Penobscot Valley Ave / Route 95 Connector Road) and Route 2 (West Broadway). While not always easy to find, the owl was still being seen through the 24th.
Downeast
Two SNOWY OWLS were reported from the Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport in Trenton on the 18th.
Sargent Mount on Mount Desert Island hosted two SNOWY OWLS on the 18th.
Northern Maine
SNOWY OWLS are still being seen regularly on the PT Barn in Presque Isle and at the intersection of the Connector and Route 1.
Potentially the first winter record for Aroostook County, a NORTHERN PINTAIL was found in a small pond behind the Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle on the 24th.
