From: "Linda Woodard" <lwoodard@MAINEAUDUBON.ORG>

To: <BIRDEAST@listserv.arizona.edu>

Subject: [BIRDEAST] Maine Bird Alert 3/11/03

Date: Friday, March 14, 2003 5:54 PM

Name: Maine Audubon Bird Alert

Date: March 12, 2003

Area: State of Maine

Number: (207) 781-2332

Compilers: Steve Pollock and Kay Gammons

Transcriber: Maine Audubon (birdalert@maineaudubon.org)

It looks like the spring migration might very well be under way. A few weeks

earlier single COMMON GRACKLES were reported at isolated localities in the

mid coastal region. After a pause of a couple of weeks, this week we report

the arrival of 1 KESTREL, 1 KILLDEER and a very few RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS

and very few COMMON GRACKLES all in the vicinity of York and southern

Cumberland Counties.

York County

A AMERICAN KESTREL arrived in York.

Along Cutts Island Road there were a pair of EASTERN BLUEBIRDS in a field at

the edge of the Rachael Carson Preserve.

HARLEQUIN DUCKS were seen at the Cliff House in Ogunquit.

A KING EIDER was seen again in Wells Harbor.

Four GRACKLES arrived in Arundel.

An EVENING GROSBEAK was seen along Oak Street in Kennebunkport

There was a CAROLINA WREN was calling in Cape Porpoise. Also in Cape

Porpoise there was the first KILLDEER and some EASTERN BLUEBIRDS.

At Goose Rocks Beach there were 18 HORNED LARKS, 1 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, and

20 COMMON GRACKLES.

At the Saco Yacht Club at various times there were 14 COMMON and 9 HOODED

MERGANSERS, and a CAROLINA WREN.

A RAVEN was along the Hearn Road in Saco. Four SNOW BUNTINGS were along the

Boom Road in Saco.

Greater Portland and western Maine

A RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD arrived at Pine Point in Scarborough. Four RED-WINGED

BLACKBIRDS were at Seavey's landing. At Dunstan Landing there were 9 HOODED

MERGANSERS. Two BALD EAGLES. HORNED LARKS were seen at Seavey's Landing in

Scarborough. Elsewhere at Scarborough marsh there were LAPLAND LONGSPUR,

NORTHERN SHRIKE, and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK.

At Kettle Cove in Cape Elizabeth there were 3 BRANT and 3 HORNED LARKS.

There were 8 ICELAND and 1 GLAUCOUS GULLS plus 24 SNOW BUNTINGS at the

Eastern Prom in Portland. A BALD EAGLE flew over Back Cove in Portland.

A GREATER SCAUP and 2 ICELAND GULLS were at Willard Beach in South

Portland.

RED-TAILED HAWKS made appearances at several localities in the Portland,

South Portland, Cape Elizabeth and Westbrook areas.

A CAROLINA WREN and 2 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were at Gilsland Farm Audubon

Center in Falmouth.

Over the weekend in Wilton there were 2 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS and 2 ROBINS. Also

seen were 1 NORTHERN GOSHWAWK, (juvenile female coming into adult plumage),

1 SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (adult seen taking a starling), and a BARRED OWL.

Fifteen SNOW BUNTINGS were near Brunswick High School, off Maquoit Road.

Nine CEDAR WAXWINGS were in Bridgton.

Over in the Carrabassett Valley there were CEDAR WAXWINGS, AMERICAN ROBINS

and GOLDFINCHES.

Midcoast

On Hansen Bay, near Woolwich there were 9 BALD EAGLES.

The list from Phippsburg included 2 BALD EAGLES, 5 PURPLE FINCHES, 2 ,RAVENS

and 2 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS.

The list from Georgetown included 12 HARLEQUIN DUCKS, 1 BARRED OWL, and 2

PURPLE FINCHES.

An EASTERN BLUEBIRD was found on the Belvedere Road in Damariscotta. A GREAT

BLUE HERON was next to Route One near the bridge that crosses the lower end

of Great Salt Bay.

A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK and a NORTHERN HARRIER were in Boothbay.

In Rockland there were 2 BLACK-HEADED GULLS.

A SNOWY OWL and SNOW BUNTINGS were seen near Clary Hill in Union.

Eastern Maine

PEREGRINE FALCONS returned to the nest site on the Precipice, Champlain Mt.

Acadia National Park on 2/28. A NORTHERN FULMAR spent an hour following a

lobster boat off Petit Manan Island on 3/7. Two adult NORTHERN GANNETS were

seen off Otter Pt. Acadia NP on 3/9. This seems to be a bit early. GREAT

CORMORANTS are common in Frenchman Bay and most are in breeding plumage.

Eight HARLEQUIN DUCKS are still being seen right off Schoodic Pt. SPRUCE

GROUSE are being seen regularly along the west side nature trail at the

Acadia National Park Schoodic Environmental Complex. Two flocks of about 50

and 75 PURPLE SANDPIPERS were along the shore of Bar Island off Bar. Two

GRAY JAYS are being seen regularly in the trees beside the ball field at the

Acadia National Park Schoodic Environmental Complex. Fifty to 75 AMERICAN

ROBINS were feeding on crabapples in Bar Harbor. Twenty-five CEDAR WAXWINGS

are feeding daily on Hawthornes at the Bar Harbor Municipal bldg. A SONG

SPARROW was seen and heard as it attempted a partial song at Wonsqueak

Harbor (Schoodic Pt. area). Four PURPLE FINCHES have been at a feeder in Bar

Harbor daily along with six House Finches.

Seen at Quoddy Head were 1 SPRUCE GROUSE, 2 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, and 2

RAZORBILLS.

Central Maine

HORNED LARKS were in Turner.

An adult ICELAND GULL was with small group of herring gulls at the north end

of Sabattus Pond.

A NORTHERN SHRIKE was in Richmond.

A female BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER was seen flicking bark from a dead hemlock

on Hollywood boulevard in Whitefield on the 4th. A BARRED OWL was elsewhere

in Whitefield.

In Dixfield this week there was a PURPLE FINCH.

Twenty CEDAR WAXWINGS and 5 ROBINS were in Bangor.

A RED-TAILED HAWK was in Hampden.

Fifteen JUNCOS and 2 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS visited an Orono feeder.

A GRAY JAY was in Green.

Northern Maine

The list from Houlton included 100 GOLDFINCHES, 1 CARDINAL, 2 TREE SPARROWS,

2 JUNCOS and 2 PURPLE FINCHES.

In Presque Isle there was a NORTHERN GOSHAWK.

In a small patch of open water in Caribou there were 3 COMMON GOLDENEYES.

A white COMMON RAVEN and a PILEATED WOODPECKER were found in Fort Kent.

Upcoming Maine Audubon Programs: To reserve your spot call (207) 781-2330,

ext. 215 or email lledoux@maineaudubon.org

Wildlife Conference-This day offers a special opportunity to learn about

current research on Maine's wildlife and conservation issues. Throughout

the day, many of the state's leading biologists will present summaries of

their research. ¨ 10a.m. -2p.m. Saturday, March 22, Cost:$30/member,

$40/nonmember, $20/student, includes lunch.

Speakers Include:

Dr. Rebecca Holberton, University of Maine, Orono, Endocrinology and its

Impacts on bird migration.

Dr. Chris Maher, University of Southern Maine, The Social Lives of

Woodchucks.

Craig Comstock, Studying Ravens and their use of tools.

Jordan Perkins, Least Tern Restoration efforts

Robert Roy, Woodlot Alternatives, Endangered Turtles in Mass.

Susan Gallo, Maine Audubon, Owl Survey Results and new Questions.

Alaska Wilderness: A Canoe Journey into the Arctic National Wildlife

Refuge-Visit Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge with a seasoned

naturalist. In this land of 24-hour summer sun, you'll meet some of the

mammals, birds, plants, and insects that thrive in our continent's most

remote wilderness-the Arctic tundra. The slide show and live bird program

treats you to intimate views of Snow Owls at the nest, and caribou

maneuvering ice river crossings. You'll see Peregrine falcons,

yellow-billed loons, and other birds on their nesting ground. Learn how

light and weather, mosquitoes and lemmings play into a symphony of life in

the remote arctic region. This program by Marcia Wilson combines a fast

moving slide presentation with an interactive introduction to a live snowy

owl and other arctic birds as well as a touch table of arctic treasures.

¨1-2:15p.m., Saturday, March 29. Cost: Cost: $8/member adult, $3/member

child $10/nonmember adult, $4/nonmember child. Reservations necessary

(I have a great photo from the Wilson's we can use)

Exploring Maine's Ecology with Dr. Herb Wilson-This course is designed to

give you an introduction to the ecology of Maine. We will investigate the

processes, such as climate, geology, succession that control the

distribution and abundance of plants and animals. We will begin with a

consideration of global climate patterns and then work our way down to

smaller and smaller scales (biomes, communities, populations). Topics to be

discussed will include predation, competition, physical stresses, zonation,

nutrient cycling and forest succession. Recommended text: The Economy of

Nature (fifth edition) by Robert Rickefs. Herb Wilson teaches Ecology,

Ornithology and Biology at Bates College, and is a regular contributor to

many newspapers in Maine, including the Maine Sunday Telegram.¨ 6:30-9:00

p.m. Tuesdays April 8, 15, 22 and 29, 6:30-9:00 pm with field trip May 10.

Cost: $120/member, $150/nonmember. Limited to 20 participants.

Reservations necessary.

Birds, Bellybuttons, and the Meaning of Life- Do you remember the bird that

changed your life? Have you ever wondered why there are so many small brown

birds? Join author and video producer Dick Walton for a lighthearted and

decidedly personal investigation into that mystery of mysteries - why

birders bird. Using video from across North America, Dick will present one

birder's answer. ¨ 7:30 pm Friday, April 11 Cost: $12/member, $15/nonmember,

Reservations necessary

Birding by Ear: An Introduction to Birdsong - Did you know that most

birders, from beginners to experts, identify many of the birds they

encounter by their vocalizations? Join Dick Walton, co-author of the

Peterson Field Guide Series - Birding by Ear, for an in-depth workshop

designed to assist birders develop techniques for learning birdsong as an

aide to field identification. We will focus on our most common songsters and

learn how to recognize and recall their vocalizations. Suitable for

beginning students of birdsong. Participants will receive workshop materials

and registration is limited to 25. ¨ 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Saturday, April

12. Cost $50/member, $65/nonmember. Reservations necessary.

Linda Woodard

Maine Audubon

20 Gilsland Farm Rd

Falmouth, Maine

207-781-2330 ext. 213

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