Maine (Statewide) RBA
August 14, 2010
Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 18:26:43 -0400
Reply-To: Eric Hynes <ehynes@MAINEAUDUBON.ORG>
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From: Eric Hynes <ehynes@MAINEAUDUBON.ORG>
Subject: [BIRDEAST] Maine RBA - August 14, 2010
Comments: To: Maine Birds <maine-birds@googlegroups.com>,
Jewel Suchecki <jsucheck@maine.rr.com>,
amuhs@mainetoday.com, currnews@maine.rr.com, Paul Garrity
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Name: Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert
Reporting Period: August 9-14, 2010
Area: State of Maine
Compiler: Eric Hynes
Of Special Note
Top birds this week are: EARED GREBE, BLACK VULTURE, MARBLED GODWIT, WILSON'S
PHALAROPE, and LITTLE GULL.
Other noteworthy species in the report include: Redhead, Ruddy Duck, Cory's
Shearwater, Common Moorhen, Stilt Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, Lesser
Black-backed Gull, Razorbill, and Dickcissel.
Shorebird migration seems to be peaking. Peregrine Falcon sightings have spiked
recently, particularly along the coast, likely indicating post-breeding
dispersal.
Images of the Black Vulture, South Polar Skua, Sabine's Gull, shorebirds, and
others have been uploaded to the RBA slideshow at:
http://www.maineaudubon.org/nature/birdalert.shtml
Gulf of Maine
Whale watching cruises out of Portland continue to encounter four shearwater
species (CORY'S, GREAT, SOOTY, and MANX) on a fairly regular basis. Back on
August 4, a SOUTH POLAR SKUA was photographed and a possible immature
LONG-TAILED JAEGER was reported.
A report of a DICKCISSEL, the first of the season, came from Monhegan Island
this week.
York County
In addition to the continuing RUDDY DUCK, EARED GREBE, and COMMON MOORHEN, an
immature PEREGRINE FALCON is hunting at the Sanford Sewerage District.
An adult RED KNOT, an immature LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, and 30+ ROSEATE TERNS
were at Hills Beach in Biddeford on August 9.
Greater Portland
Scarborough Marsh is the place to be for shorebird migration. As usual, the
salt pannes on the southeast side of the Eastern Trail are drawing an impressive
concentration. Semipalmated Sandpipers are by far the most numerous right now
but the excellent diversity out there includes a few STILT SANDPIPERS, a
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, and a WILSON'S PHALAROPE.
A MARBLED GODWIT was first noticed on the mudflats at Pine Point in Scarborough
on August 8 and continued through at least the 14th.
Downeast
Sea life abounds in the waters off Quoddy Head in Lubec. An outing on August 14
from Eastport, Maine through Head Harbor Passage, New Brunswick, came across
many shearwaters (including a MANX), NORTHERN GANNETS, RAZORBILLS, and two
LITTLE GULLS.
Northern
Rare in Maine and exceptional for Aroostook County, a juvenile BLACK VULTURE was
perched on a light pole at the Tim Horton's in Houlton on August 10.
The drought-like conditions have created habitat for shorebirds in northern
Maine. A few species, normally difficult to find in this region, have dropped
into lakes and rivers.
Several REDHEADS remain among the many ducks on Lake Josephine in Easton.
Eric Hynes
Gilsland Farm Naturalist /
Adult Education Program Coordinator
Maine Audubon
20 Gilsland Farm Road
Falmouth, ME 04105
207-781-2330 ext. 237
ehynes@maineaudubon.org
www.maineaudubon.org
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