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

To: <BIRDEAST@listserv.arizona.edu>

Subject: [BIRDEAST] Maine Bird Alert May 14, 2003

Date: Friday, May 16, 2003 5:54 PM

Name: Maine Audubon Bird Alert

Date: May 14, 2003

Area: State of Maine

Number: (207) 781-2332

Compilers: Steve Pollock and Kay Gammons

Transcriber: Maine Audubon (birdalert@maineaudubon.org)

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We received a report of adult SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER at Prospect Harbor.

An experienced birder confirmed the sighting. The bird was first spotted and

identified by Penny Altman who lives at 50 Lighthouse Point Road on Sunday

morning. She does not mind birders stopping by to observe from the road.

When the bird was last seen it was flying towards town but it could not be

relocated. The bird was seen in the immediate adjacent fields to the white

farmhouse- 50 Lighthouse Point Road, Prospect Harbor.

A YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was found at Dunstan Landing, on the campground

side, but has not been relocated since.

A SUMMER TANAGER was seen on Monhegan Island.

An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was located in Wilton.

WARBLERS are certainly on the increase. Many species were reported but the

numbers by and large seemed to be low. Many reports this week included

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW,

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD, and BOBOLINKS. FLYCATCHER reports were still

relatively few as were THRUSH reports.

York County

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS were in Kennebunk.

A ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was seen in Arundel.

At the Kennebunk Plains/Maguire Road there were ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK,

SOLITARY SANDPIPER, PRAIRIE WARBLER, SAVANNAH, FIELD and VESPER SPARROWS,

EASTERN TOWHEES, BROWN THRASHERS, BLACK-THROATED GREEN and YELLOW-RUMPED

WARBLERS and EASTERN MEADOWLARKS.

The list at Biddeford Pool included RED-THROATED LOON, BLACK GUILLEMOTS and

NORTHERN GANNETS.

A flock of approximately 400 SWALLOWS at the Saco Yacht Club included TREE,

BANK, BARN, CLIFF and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED. Along the Ferry Road in Saco

there were GREAT HORNED OWL and WOOD THRUSH. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS were

also in Saco. In Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco there were BLUE-GRAY

GNATCATCHER, LINCOLN'S and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, FISH CROW and about 8

species of WARBLERS. Over in the Saco Heath there were 9 species of WARBLERS

including CANADA, plus a GREAT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER.

Greater Portland and western Maine

A RUSTY BLACKBIRD was at Portland News in the Scarborough Industrial Park.

The list from Pine Point included BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, RUDDY TURNSTONES,

COMMON TERNS, BONAPARTE'S GULLS, WOOD THRUSH, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, RED-EYED

VIREO, and ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. At Prout's Neck there were CHIMNEY SWIFT,

OVENBIRD, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, EASTERN WOOD PEWEE, WILSON'S WARBLER,

AMERICAN REDSTART, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. Around the

Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center, YELLOW WARBLERS and COMMON YELLOWTHROATS

have returned.

At Kettle Cove in Cape Elizabeth there were PURPLE SANDPIPERS, 6 LAUGHING

GULLS, and BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER. Elsewhere in Cape Elizabeth the following

arrived: RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS, male NORTHERN ORIOLES, and a LINCOLN'S

SPARROW.

A BLUE-HEADED VIREO was seen on Great Diamond Island

Up to 15 WARBLER species were reported from Evergreen. The Audubon group at

Evergreen had the following species: NASHVILLE, YELLOW-RUMPED,

BLACK-THROATED BLUE and GREEN, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, CHESTNUT-SIDED, BLACK

AND WHITE, NORTHERN PARULA, and PINE WARBLER. In addition we there was an

EASTERN TOWHEE, LEAST FLYCATCHER, and lots of RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS. Seen at

other times were TENNESEE and BAY-BREASTED WARBLERS. Over at Capisic Pond

Park in Portland there was a CAROLINA and a HOUSE WREN, a WILSON'S WARBLER,

and a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH. LAUGHING GULLS were by Martin's Point Bridge

also in Portland.

Bird sightings at Gilsland Farm Audubon Center in Falmouth included

CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, 3 GLOSSY IBIS, PALM WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER, COMMON

YELLOWTHROAT, MAGNOLIA and BLACK and WHITE WARBLER, SAVANNAH SPARROW, 22

male BOBOLINKS, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, 1 EASTERN KINGBIRD, and

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS. Also a VIRGINIA RAIL was calling, and two BALD

EAGLES flew over. SWAMP, CHIPPING, WHITE-CROWNED, WHITE-THROATED, and SONG

SPARROWS were all coming into the feeders at one time.

At the "Dragon Fields" off Route 9 (in the Falmouth/Cumberland area) near

the Dragon Cement plant there were 2 ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS.

A RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD and a BALTIMORE ORIOLE were in Westbrook.

Sunday at Florida Lake Park in Freeport there were: NASHVILLE,

YELLOW-RUMPED, YELLOW, BLACK-THROATED BLUE and GREEN, BLACK and WHITE, and

PINE WARBLERS, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, HERMIT THRUSH, SWAMP

SPARROW, and 2 SOLITARTY SANDPIPERS. A GREAT-CRESTED FLYCATHCER was back in

a nesting box on Sunday.

In New Gloucester, following the railroad tracks just north of Royal River

on Rt. 231 there were: BALTIMORE ORIOLE, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, WARBLING

VIREO, TREE, BANK, NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED, BARN and CLIFF SWALLOWS; NASHVILLE

WARABLER, BOBOLINK, BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, BROWN

THRASHER, RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD, and CHIMNEY SWIFT.

Notables in Pownal, across from the Garden Spot Greenhouses included EVENING

and ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, PURPLE FINCH, and

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW.

A SCARLET TANAGER was seen in Windham.

A RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD was seen in Bridgton. Also in Bridgton were

BROAD-WINGED HAWK, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, GRAY CATBIRD, BOBOLINK, INDIGO

BUNTING, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, and CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER.

A trip to Brownfield Bog produced WILSON'S SNIPE, BROAD-WINGED HAWK, OSPREY,

LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 3 SOLITARY SANDPIPERS, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, EASTERN

KINGBIRD, LEAST FLYCATCHER, CHIMNEY SWIFTS, 2 BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS, 3

WARBLING VIREOS, plus the following warblers: BLACK-THROATED GREEN, BLACK

and WHITE, YELLOW-RUMPED, YELLOW, and NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH.

Seven species of WARBLERS were found in Wilton along with GREAT-CRESTED

FLYCATCHER, HERMIT THRUSH, and PIED-BILLED GREBE.

Midcoast

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS arrived Wednesday the 7th in Boothbay. Also seen

arriving were a NORHTERN PARULA, and a CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER.

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS arrived on North Haven.

On Blue Hill Peninsula there was a BROWN THRASHER. Another birder spotted

his first BROWN THRASHER of the year on Range Road in Blue Hill.

In the Georgetown/Phippsburg area there were BLACKPOLL WARBLER, WOOD THRUSH,

SPOTTED SANDPIPER, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, and ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK.

Out on Monhegan there were at least 6 species of WARBLERS, 5 species of

SPARROWS, PEREGRINE FALCON, MERLIN, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, WOODCOCK, BLUE-WINGED

TEAL, and INDIGO BUNTING.

Downeast

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS arrived in Ellsworth. Also in Ellsworth there

were WARBLING VIREO and NOTHERN PARULA WARBLER.

Central Maine

In Turner there were 50 AMERICAN PIPITS, 25 HORNED LARKS, BLUE-HEADED VIREO,

and a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW.

An AMERICAN BITTERN was seen in Mount Vernon.

The list from Augusta included BLACK-THROATED GREEN, BLACK and WHITE

WARBLERS, and GRAY CABIRD.

Seen in Oakland were NASHVILLE, BLACK-THROATED BLUE, and BLACK-THROATED

GREEN WARBLERS.

In Hinckley there were 200 SWALLOWS to include BARN, CLIFF and BANK.

A SWAINSON'S THRUSH and 2 VEERY were on the Colby College campus.

In Dixmont there were WOOD THUSH, YELLOW, NASHVILLE WARBLERS, and COMMON

YELLOWTHROATS.

At Fields Pond Audubon Center there were RUFFED GROUSE, BALTIMORE ORIOLE,

CLIFF SWALLOW, and EAGLES.

A TURKEY VULTURE was seen in Bangor. Also in Bangor on Walter Street there

were 1 male RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS.

A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen in Orono on Saturday May 10.

Northern Maine

Arrivals in Houlton included BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK,

BROWN THRASHER, BOBOLINK, BROAD-WINGED HAWK and 12 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS.

Maine Audubon Birdathon

Once again, Maine Audubon is having its annual birdathon. It is a great

fundraiser for us, with proceeds supporting all of our Maine Audubon

programs across the state, including the Bird alert, Naturalist's Forum,

Traveler's Club, and Nature Book Discussion Group, as well as all of our

other education and conservation programs. On May 21st I will be joining the

Maine Audubon staff team scouring the state for all the bird species we can

find. The board will also be out that day and we are having a friendly

rivalry between the board and the staff so I need your support to help us

win! Last year, the board really outdid the staff with money raised, so this

year I'm hoping to change that a bit. My goal is to raise $10/species seen,

which would be about $1,500- and that supports a lot of programs here!

By pledging just a few cents for every species that I find, you can help

Maine Audubon's program efforts. I expect to identify approximately 150 bird

species on Birdathon day, so a pledge of $1 per species will equal a

donation of $150; a $.50 pledge per species will equal $75; and a $.25

pledge per species will equal $37.50. Or you can make a fixed total pledge

of any amount you wish. These pledges are tax deductible, of course.

To sponsor us this year, just e-mail your pledge (lwoodard@maineaudubon.org

or jwalker@maineaudubon.org ) and we will notify you after May 21st with the

final amount of your donation.

Thank you for supporting programs and the Audubon mission in Maine!

Upcoming Maine Audubon Trips- Call 207-781-2330 or email

lledoux@maineaudubon.org for more information or to make reservations.

Lilacs at the Arnold Arboretum

The Arnold Arboretum outside Boston is home to one of the oldest and largest

collections of lilacs in North America, with some of the hedgerows dating

back to the first decade of the 1800s. Join us for a guided stroll around

the grounds at the height of New England's lilac season. The birding will be

excellent at this time, too, so be sure to bring your binoculars. There is

no picnicking on the grounds, but there are restaurants nearby for lunch,

and you may bring water and snacks. Cost includes leadership and round-trip

chartered bus from Falmouth.

From Falmouth

Friday, May 16

7 a.m.-5 p.m.

Led by Margi Huber

$30/member, $35/nonmember

Limited to 45 participants

Birding By Ear

Spring is the best time to hone your birding-by-ear skills. On this weekend

retreat in Maine's Western Mountains, we'll bird before and after breakfast

each day, with eyes and ears open for thrushes, vireos, warblers and

sparrows. Later, we'll hike some of the trails around the base of Bigelow

Mountain to look for woodland birds. In the evenings, we'll review slides

and recorded tapes, and possibly call in some owls. If we are lucky, we may

see black-backed woodpecker, spruce grouse, gray jay and northern goshawk.

This weekend offers something for birders of all levels. Cost includes

meals, accommodations at the Claybrook Mountain Lodge and leadership.

Claybrook Mountain Lodge near Kingfield

Saturday, May 17 at noon to Monday, May 19

at 1 p.m.

Led by Ron Joseph, Greg Drummond

$235/member, $260/nonmember

Limited to 10 participants

St. John River Canoe Trip

The Abenaki knew it as Wallastook, or "Beautiful River"-and there's no doubt

that it is. The longest free-flowing river in the Eastern U.S., it also is

the most remote of Maine's large rivers, offering a classic wilderness

canoeing experience. Starting from Baker Lake in Northwestern Maine, this

trip follows a major stretch of the St. John's 125-mile northward

progression from small woodland stream to the large river that crosses into

Canada. Habitat along the river is primarily boreal forest, offering a

special assemblage of species for naturalists to seek. The tributaries are

outstanding for native trout, and if you hit it right, the fishing can be

spectacular. From Greenville we'll travel by floatplane to Baker Lake. Here,

river guide Larry Totten will meet us with canoes, equipment and food. There

are no portages, and for the most part, it is fast current and light rapids.

The rapids are mostly class II, with a few class III that are navigable by

canoeists with moderate experience. We will spend six days camping,

naturalizing, fishing and paddling the river to our take-out north of

Priestly Bridge where we fly back to Greenville.

From Greenville

Monday, May 19 at 9 a.m. to Saturday, May 24 at 3 p.m.

Led by All Outdoors Guiding

$1,100

Limited to 15 participants

Oxford County Paddle and Hike

This combined activity weekend offers a chance to explore and enjoy the

diverse landscape and wildlife of Western Maine's Oxford County. On Saturday

we'll canoe a beautiful stretch of the Androscoggin River west of Bethel as

it threads through the White Mountains. This is an easy paddle with only a

few riffles. We'll spend leisurely evenings at our campsite at Crocker Pond

in a quiet part of White Mountain National Forest. On Sunday we will hike to

the top of Albany Mountain. This pleasant four-mile round-trip hike with a

vertical rise of 1,100 feet should offer good birding and ample time to take

in the wonderful views. This trip is designed for folks in good physical

condition with their own canoes and camping gear. The trip leaders will

provide food and kitchen equipment.

West Bethel

Friday, May 30 at 1 p.m. to Sunday, June 1 at 3 p.m.

Led by George Libby, Gary Roberts, Gwen Roberts

$125/member, $150/nonmember

Limited to 10 participants

Kayaking the Presumpscot I

Join us for a morning kayak trip to explore the quiet corners of the

Presumpscot River as it flows through Windham and Gorham. Formerly an

industrial river, the Presumpscot is now a vibrant part of greater Portland'

s natural environment and Sebago Lake's watershed. This gentle paddle will

bring us through diverse habitat and hidden wild areas. Numerous songbirds

will be calling and in full breeding plumage. We'll have a good chance of

seeing waterfowl, raptor and warbler species. Kayaks, paddles and personal

flotation devices included. If you plan to bring your own kayak, please let

us know at registration.

From Gorham

Saturday, June 7

8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Led by Mark DiGirolamo

$55/member, $65/nonmember (deduct $5 if you bring your own kayak)

Limited to 12 participants

The Alpine Garden of Mount Washington

In the arctic climate above the tree line, the slopes of New Hampshire's Mt.

Washington harbor tundra plants whose flowers produce a fleeting but

memorable pageant each spring. This excursion is timed to coincide with the

peak of these plants' blooming season and combines flora identification with

opportunities for close-up photography. We will carpool from the base of the

mountain to milepost 7 on the auto road and climb down the steep slope to

the "garden" below. Participants should be prepared for varied weather and a

moderately challenging hike. Price includes leadership and auto road fees.

Pinkham Notch, N.H.

Saturday, June 14 (weather date: June 15)

8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Led by Beth Bullock

$25/member, $30/nonmember

Limited to 12 participants

Boreal Birding

The spruce-fir forests and higher altitudes of Maine's Western Mountains

offer some special birding opportunities. In the boreal forest areas north

and west of Rangeley, species such as black-backed woodpecker, gray jay,

spruce grouse, yellow-bellied flycatcher and Bicknell's thrush can be found.

On this late-day birding trip we will drive part way up the access road to

East Kennebago Mountain, then walk and linger near the top to enjoy the bird

song and gathering dusk. Join us for this bird walk and add some possible

"lifers" to your list.

Rangeley

Saturday, June 14 (weather date: June 21)

3-8:30 p.m.

Led by J Dwight

$25/member, $35/nonmember

Limited to 15 participants

Father's Day Cruise on Casco Bay

What better way to spend a Sunday morning in June than to take a cruise on

scenic Casco Bay? Add to this the informative and entertaining patter of

popular naturalist guides Chris Lewey and Pete Salmansohn, and you have the

makings of a great Father's Day outing. Our planned route goes out to Junk

of Pork and Outer Green Island, where biologists are restoring a tern

colony. Gannets, storm-petrels and other seabirds are possible sightings,

and we can expect to see plenty of eiders, osprey and seals. With Chris and

Pete as guides, you're sure to see and learn new things about Casco Bay.

From Portland

Sunday, June 15

9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Led by Pete Salmansohn,

Chris Lewey

$35/member, $45/nonmember

Limited to 100 participants

Exploring the Maine Coast by Schooner

Sail with Audubon to explore the islands and inlets of mid-coast Maine

aboard the 90-foot, 30-passenger windjammer, Mary Day. Powered only by sail,

the Mary Day offers a rare way to experience and appreciate the scenery and

wildlife of Maine's spectacular island-studded coast. Daily trips ashore to

places like Isle au Haut, Frenchboro and Acadia National Park provide ample

opportunity to see birds, explore the intertidal zone and hike island

trails. With Audubon naturalist guides onboard, and skippered by Audubon

Expedition graduates Barry King and Jennifer Martin, your week sailing the

coast of Maine promises a unique opportunity to deepen your knowledge of

coastal ecology while savoring the tranquility of a classic windjammer

cruise.Cost includes all meals and lodging on board, leadership (including

fullcrew) and all onshore excursions.

From Camden

Sunday, June 15 at 5 p.m. to Saturday, June 21 at 3 p.m.

Led by Mike and Margi Shannon

$815

Limited to 16 participants

Kayaking Penobscot Bay

Starting in well-protected Tenants Harbor, this full-day trip will be

devoted to exploring the intertidal and coastal ecology of western Penobscot

Bay. Given the diversity of habitat to explore, it's likely that we'll see a

wide range of bird species, including bald eagle. This trip is appropriate

for both beginning and more advanced kayakers in good physical shape. Kayak

and equipment included. If you plan to bring your own kayak, please let us

know at registration.

Tenants Harbor

Saturday, June 21

8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Led by Mark DiGirolamo

$90/member, $95/nonmember (deduct $7 if you bring your own kayak)

Limited to 12 participants

Maine's Plains: A Special Habitat

In a state that is more than 90 percent forested, a grassy plain is rare

habitat. The Kennebunk Plains is just such a place, and because it is

unusual, it is home to a whole group of birds and plants that are unusual in

Maine as well. Grasshopper sparrow, vesper sparrow, horned lark and upland

sandpiper are notable nesters of this open land, where blue toadflax,

flowering dogbane, frostweed and wood lily bloom. Plains'management

specialist and naturalist Parker Shuerman leads this easy morning

exploration of one of Maine's most rare habitat types.

Kennebunk

Saturday, June 21

9-11 a.m.

Led by Parker Shuerman

$8/member, $12/nonmember

Limited to 15 participants

Linda Woodard

Maine Audubon

20 Gilsland Farm Rd

Falmouth, Maine

207-781-2330 ext. 213

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