Maine (Statewide) RBA
August 20, 2010
Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 21:55:06 -0400
Reply-To: Eric Hynes <ehynes@MAINEAUDUBON.ORG>
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From: Eric Hynes <ehynes@MAINEAUDUBON.ORG>
Subject: [BIRDEAST] Maine RBA - August 20, 2010
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o7L1sSGH049827
Name: Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert
Reporting Period: August 15-20, 2010
Area: State of Maine
Compiler: Eric Hynes
Of Special Note
Top birds this week are: TRICOLORED HERON, RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, and YELLOW-HEADED
BLACKBIRD.
Other noteworthy species in the report include: Least Bittern, Common Moorhen,
American Oystercatcher, Whimbrel, Marbled Godwit, Red Knot, Baird's Sandpiper,
Red-necked Phalarope, Philadelphia Vireo, and Dickcissel.
Shorebird migration is peaking. Peregrine Falcon sightings have spiked
recently, particularly along the coast. Wading birds, such as Great Egret,
continue to disperse inland. Common Nighthawks are clearly on the move with
widespread reports in the afternoon and evening.
A photograph of the Rufous Hummingbird and another Marbled Godwit were uploaded
to the RBA slideshow at: http://www.maineaudubon.org/nature/birdalert.shtml
Gulf of Maine
Five RED-NECKED PHALAROPES and three CORY'S SHEARWATERS were the highlights on a
whale-watching cruise out of Portland on August 17.
York County
A BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER turned up at the Wells Reserve on August 19.
Five WHIMBRELS and a RED KNOT were observed in Biddeford Pool on August 18.
Hills Beach in Biddeford (at low tide) remains a reliable place to find ROSEATE
TERNS.
Greater Portland
A second MARBLED GODWIT is now among the many shorebirds foraging on the
mudflats at Pine Point in Scarborough. Five AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS and at
least four WHIMBRELS are also in view from the parking lot at the boat launch
and Lobsterman's Co-op.
A TRICOLORED HERON, presumably the same lingering bird, was seen off the Eastern
Trail which crosses Scarborough Marsh on August 20.
Another early DICKCISSEL showed up this week, this time visiting feeders in a
Portland yard for only a couple days.
Kennebec River Valley (Augusta - Waterville)
A BAIRD'S SANDPIPER was found at the Flood Brothers Farm on River Road near the
Benton - Clinton town line on August 18.
Midcoast
A MARBLED GODWIT and two WHIMBRELS were on the mudflats of Atkins Bay, as viewed
from the end of Green Point Road, in Phippsburg on August 18.
Penobscot Bay
A RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD spent August 16-18 at a feeder in Rockport. It was not
seen on the 19th and 20th.
A YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was well-studied before flying off near the Weskeag
farm stand on Buttermilk Lane in South Thomaston the morning of August 19.
Central
A LEAST BITTERN and up to four COMMON MOORHENS were visible in Penjajawoc Marsh,
as viewed from the parking lot at Home Depot in Bangor this week.
Downeast
Two different PHILADELPHIA VIREOS were spotted on Mount Desert Island this week,
one at Sieur de Monts Spring in Acadia National Park and one at Bass Harbor in
Tremont.
The number of shorebirds foraging on the South Lubec Sand Bar has spiked into
the thousands this week, including significant numbers of WHITE-RUMPED
SANDPIPERS and a WHIMBREL on August 18.
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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