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

To: <BIRDEAST@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU>

Subject: [BIRDEAST] Maine Bird Alert 4/7/04

Date: Monday, April 12, 2004 1:41 PM

 

Name: Maine Audubon Bird Alert 4/07/04

 

Date: 4/07/04

 

Compilers: Kay Gammons and Steve Pollock

 

Transcribers: Maine Audubon(birdalert@maineaudubon.org)

 

 

 

In Merrymeeting Bay, just north of where Brown's Point Road crosses the

Abagadasset River in Bowdoinham, there was a COMMON TEAL, the EURASIAN

variety of the GREEN-WINGED TEAL.

 

 

 

Returning this week were OSPREY, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, GREAT BLUE

HERONS, and BROAD-WINGED HAWKS. There were also isolated reports of

WINTER WRENS. Among other species, EASTERN PHOEBE, SONG SPARROW and

DARK-EYED JUNCO numbers are increasing. FOX SPARROWS were seen almost

state wide.

 

 

 

COMMON REDPOLLS and BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were reported in mid to large

sized flocks. Some birders commented that they appeared to be "moving

through".

 

 

 

Waterfowl were widely reported with the largest concentration in

Merrymeeting Bay. The list of waterfowl is reasonably diverse, but no

confirmed rarities were reported with the exception of the COMMON TEAL

noted above.

 

 

 

York County

 

 

 

Two PECTORAL SANDPIPERS were off Route 236 in Elliot just south of the

Marshwood Junior High.

 

 

 

There was a good assortment of waterfowl on the Piscataqua River at the

Route 101 crossing.

 

 

 

Three FOX SPARROWS were in York.

 

 

 

A pair of LESSER SCAUP and about 20 RING-NECKED DUCKS were at the

Sanford Sewage Treatment ponds.

 

 

 

Other FOX SPARROW reports were from Arundel and Saco.

 

 

 

CAROLINA WRENS were calling in two places in Cape Porpoise. CHIPPING and

FOX SPARROWS were at a feeder in Cape Porpoise. The RED-BELLIED

WOODPECKER pair is probably going to nest in the neighborhood

 

 

 

A FISH CROW was seen in Biddeford.

 

 

 

Three DOUBLE CRESTED CORMORANTS and 4 HOODED and 1 COMMON MERGANSER were

at the Saco Yacht Club. On the Boom Road in Saco there was a NORTHERN

HARRIER and several AMERICAN KESTRELS. Thirty-five BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS

were seen along the Ferry Road in Saco.

 

 

 

Greater Portland

 

 

 

A pair of GADWALL and GREEN-WINGED TEAL was behind the Pelreco building

in Scarborough. A WILSON'S SNIPE flew over. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was

along Eastern Road. Five PIPING PLOVERS were at Higgins Beach. Twenty

COMMON REDPOLLS and 2 RING-NECKED DUCKS were at Grondin Pond in

Scarborough.  A pair of GADWALL was at Prout's Pond on Pleasant Hill Rd

 

 

 

About 200 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS gathered in a large maple tree behind the

Waynflete School's Upper School Building on Emery Street in Portland.

 

 

 

An OSPREY is back at the nest atop the electrical pole at the north end

of the trestle, east of Tukey's Bridge in Portland (Thursday, 4/8/04).

An ICELAND GULL is still at East End Beach.

 

 

 

On the Presumpscot River there was 1 AMERICAN WIGEON and 1

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT. At Another time there was a pair of GADWALL

and a BONAPARTE'S GULL.

 

 

 

In Falmouth at the Foreside Estates there were 1 FOX SPARROW and three

AMERICAN WOODCOCKS, and 6 HOODED MERGANSERS.

 

 

 

A COOPERS HAWK was in Pownal, while in North Pownal there were 2 FOX

SPARROWS.

 

 

 

A Maine Audubon field trip to Deer Hollow Sanctuary in Windham (turn

right at the Red Sands Restaurant north of the Shaw's Plaza on Route

302) produced 60 ring-necked ducks.

 

 

 

A little farm pond on Greeley Rd in Cumberland had AMERICAN WIGEON

(pair), WILSON'S SNIPE, HOODED MERGANSER, and BELTED KINGFISHER.

 

 

 

KILLDEER, EASTERN PHOEBES, TREE SPARROWS, and EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were in

Bridgton.

 

 

 

In Fryeburg there were 6 WOOD DUCKS and 12 COMMON GOLDENEYES.

 

 

 

In Casco, along Rt. 121 Meadow Rd., there was a flock of 40-50 EVENING

GROSBEAKS, an EASTERN PHOEBE, and a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW.

 

 

 

Two EASTERN MEADOWLARKS were seen in Norway.

 

 

 

The list from Wilton included 400 COMMON and 5 HOARY REDPOLLS, KILLDEER,

4 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 1 BROAD-WINGED HAWK, COOPER'S HAWK, AMERICAN

KESTREL, NORTHERN GOSHAWK, NORTHERN SAW-WHET, GREAT HORNED and BARRED

OWLS, EASTERN PHOEBE, and HOODED and COMMON MERGANSERS.

 

 

 

Midcoast

 

 

 

In Bath along Bedford St. there were approximately 70 - 100 BOHEMIAN

WAXWINGS.

 

 

 

A check of Merrymeeting Bay, just north of where Brown's Point Road

crosses the Abagadasset River in Bowdoinham, produced the following

birds: 2 WOOD DUCK, 40 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, including one COMMON TEAL, 12

NORTHERN PINTAIL, 2 GREATER SCAUP, 3 RING-NECKED DUCK, 2 BLUE-WINGED

TEAL, and COMMON, HOODED, and RED-BREASTED MERGANSER.  On Sunday the

GLAUCOUS GULL was seen again behind Stinson's Cannery in Bath. An

AMERICAN KESTREL was seen on the road just north of the airport off

Route 24 in Bowdoinham. On Saturday there were 3 EASTERN MEADOWLARKS in

the same location.

 

 

 

At Reid State Park one PIPING PLOVER was on Mile Beach and no fewer than

75 RED NECKED GREBES off Todd Point.  In Georgetown, two OSPREY were

trying out the nests on Reid State Park marsh. BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were

elsewhere in Georgetown.

 

 

 

Out on Monhegan there were NORTHERN FLICKER, EASTERN PHOEBE, 2 FOX

SPARROWS, KILLDEER, AMERICAN WOODCOCKS, and YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS.

 

 

 

Eastern Maine

 

 

 

In Sedgewick, along Pertville Road, there were 19 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, 12

COMMON REDPOLLS, and a NORTHERN SHRIKE (adult). Along Rural Cemetery

Road (at intersection of Rt.172 & County Road) there were WOOD DUCK

(1st. of season that I have seen in Sedgwick), HOODED MERGANSERS (2

pair), 20 KILLDEER (out on the flats of the upper end of Benjamin River

salt marsh), and a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. At the Salt Pond, where Carleton

Stream enters the pond just off Rt. 172, there was a GREEN-WING TEAL.

 

 

 

AMERICAN WOODCOCK are returning to Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge.

 

 

 

Central Maine

 

 

 

An AMERCIAN KESTREL returned to Turner.

 

 

 

In Augusta at Capitol Park there were BOHEMIAN WAXWING (50+). Elsewhere

in Augusta there were 75 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, 5 COMMON REDPOLLS, 10 PINE

SISKINS, and 6 FOX SPARROWS.

 

 

 

A COMMON REDPOLL and an EASTERN PHOEBE were in Belgrade.

 

 

 

Northern Maine

 

 

 

In Fort Kent this week there were AMERICAN ROBINS, COMMON GRACKLES,

NORTHERN FLICKERS, WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, DARK-EYED JUNCOS, and WINTER

WREN. Lots of COMMON REDPOLLS were reported moving through Fort Kent as

well.

 

 

 

Upcoming Maine Audubon Trips

 

Call 781-2330 ext 215 to register or for more information.

 

 

 

Woodcock Watch

 

Each spring American woodcock engage in one of the animal kingdom's most

interesting and demonstrative courtship displays. This evening program

starts with a short video on woodcock, which was shot at Maine's

Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. We'll then venture outside to a

nearby location where we can watch the birds engaging in their

remarkable flight display. Be sure to bring binoculars and be prepared

for a little walk on what might be wet ground.

 

Falmouth

 

Wednesday, April 14

 

6:30-8:30 p.m.

 

Led by Judy Walker, Bob Bittenbender, Margi Huber

 

$8/member, $10/nonmember

 

Limited to 20 participants

 

 

 

 

Bradbury Mountain Hawk-watching Days

 

 

The summit of Bradbury Mountain in Pownal is an excellent vantage point

to view spring hawk migration. The easy climb up Bradbury's 200 feet

opens onto a south-facing granite ledge, offering a great view of

soaring raptors. On a good day with a southwest wind, we could see 100

or more broad-winged hawk and a scattering of accipiters, falcons,

ospreys, bald eagle and turkey vulture. Lionel arrives at the top of the

mountain at 9 a.m. to answer your questions throughout the morning,

weather permitting, and participants are welcome to drop in at any time

during the day. Bring your binoculars and field guide. The state park

charges a nominal entrance fee; registration is unnecessary.

 

Pownal

 

April 17-25

 

9 a.m.-2 p.m.

 

Led by Lionel Quirion

 

Free

 

 

 

Warbler Weeks at Evergreen Cemetery

 

Evergreen Cemetery is one of the best places in the Portland area to see

spring migrants, particularly warblers. The coniferous trees and low

shrubs surrounding the ponds at the back of the cemetery attract a great

number of birds. During the middle of May, it's possible to see more

than 20 species of warblers here, including Cape May, magnolia,

Blackburnian, Tennessee and bay-breasted. Various flycatchers, thrushes,

vireos and sparrows are also passing through, adding to the excitement.

Each day, a representative from Maine Audubon will lead a group to help

identify the birds you see. Meet at the back of the cemetery by the

ponds and bring binoculars and a bird guide.

 

Portland

 

Monday-Friday, May 10-14 and May 17-21

 

7-9 a.m.

 

Free to Maine Audubon members, $5/nonmember

 

 

 

Piping Plover of Goose Rocks Beach

 

See endangered piping plover and hear about Maine Audubon's project to

protect them. The trip is designed with the new birder in mind; however,

all levels of ability are welcome. Meet at the General Store on Dike's

Road off Route 9.

 

Kennebunk

 

Wednesday, May 12

 

7 -9 a.m.

 

Led by Joan Junker

 

Free to members, $5/nonmember

 

 

 

 

Linda Woodard

Maine Audubon

20 Gilsland Farm Rd.

Falmouth, Maine

207-781-2330 ext 213

lwoodard@maineaudubon.org

 

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