Final total: 139 species. Very, very respectable finish for a team in Maine where we have yet to welcome many spring migrants. The list includes a few uncommon birds like Western Tanager and Little Egret, an endangered species (Piping Plover), and a recovered endangered species (Bald Eagle).
And a final wrap up from Bob Duchesne:
May 9, 9 p.m.
The sun has set and the team has finally headed home after 20 hours of birding. Unbelievably impressive day, spotting at least 139 species of birds up here in Maine in the rain, snow, and high winds. And remember, that’s staying within a ten-mile radius of four locations. Think about how many birds that means there are in Maine–either living here, here seasonally, or passing through. We’ve got rich, valuable habitat that needs our protection.
Congratulations to Doug, Nick, Linda, Turk, Bob, and Sandi, and thank you so much to everyone who supported our efforts today. You can still make a donation to support Maine Audubon!
May 9, 4:00 p.m.
Live update with Doug and Nick as the species count tops 125! The sun is finally out in Southern Maine and the birders spot a kestrel and turkey vulture during the course of this broadcast!
Posted by Maine Audubon on Saturday, May 9, 2020
May 9, 3:30 p.m.
Still snowing. But Bob and Sandi are still going strong, heading back to Sunkhaze Meadows.
World Series of Birding update from Bob Duchesne: it's still snowing!
Posted by Maine Audubon on Saturday, May 9, 2020
May 9, 1:00 p.m.
The team is at 116 species! If you have an eBird account you can find the bird list there. If not, here’s a list of species seen so far.
May 9, 11:00 a.m. live update with Linda Woodard. Linda and Turk saw Piping Plovers at Goose Rocks Beach — an endangered species! The team has now seen 106 species, the snow looks like it’s stopped, so it promises to be a good afternoon.
Posted by Maine Audubon on Saturday, May 9, 2020
May 9, 10:00 a.m. update with Bob Duchesne
Posted by Maine Audubon on Saturday, May 9, 2020
May 9, 9:30 a.m.
100 BIRDS!!!
Bob Duchesne is finally somewhere with a cell phone signal so sent in this update:
Here's the 9 a.m. update from World Series of Birding Team Maine Audubon member Bob Duchesne, up in the north somewhere!
Posted by Maine Audubon on Saturday, May 9, 2020
May 9, 9 a.m.
The count is at 98 species as the checklists come in! Thank you all for your support.
Live update with Nick on a snowy, windy Pine Point Beach
9 am update with Nick
Posted by Maine Audubon on Saturday, May 9, 2020
May 9, 8:00 a.m. Live with Doug:
World Series of Birding with Doug!
World Series of Birding with Doug!
Posted by Maine Audubon on Saturday, May 9, 2020
Nick’s at Pine Point, Doug has moved from Capisic Pond to Evergreen Cemetery and is heading to Gilsland Farm to look for the Little Egret. Bob Duchesne was at Sunkhaze Meadows early this morning and is on the move again.
May 9, 7:30 a.m. Live with Nick:
Posted by Maine Audubon on Saturday, May 9, 2020
May 9, 7 a.m.
The team is cold and wet but spirits are still high because they love birding! Bob Duchesne is seeing lots of birds. Total is at about 40.
Duchesne report — for those birders who know the four-letter codes — includes BAOW, WISN, WTSP, EAPH, WHIP, WIWR, RCKI, AMBI, RUGR, PUFI.
Nick spotted a Virginia Rail on the Eastern Trail.
Update from Doug!
Update from Linda!
May 9, 5:00 a.m.
It’s 5:00 and Bob Duchesne, driving assistance from his wife Sandi, has already been out and about:
May 9, 12:01 am
And they’re off! It’s windy, raining, and cold. And there’s a wind advisory, gale warning, and coastal flood advisory. Great.
Team members will be reporting their progress throughout the 24-hour period, sending videos and updates. Follow along here and on Facebook during the day. We’ll have live updates on Facebook on the hour from 7 to 11 a.m. and an update at 4 p.m., plus updates here as we get them from the team.
In the meantime, check out these great scouting videos from team member Bob Duchesne.
In this hilarious and informative video, he’s scouting for owls: