Name: Maine Audubon Bird Alert
Date: March 18, 2006
Area: State of Maine
Number: (207) 781-2332
Compilers: Judy Walker and Kay Gammons
Transcriber: Maine Audubon (
birdalert@maineaudubon.org)
At Clary Hill in Union there were 2 GOLDEN EAGLES.
A BLACK VULTURE was seen soaring over Pool Street in Biddeford.
SNOWY OWLS were reported in York and at Acadia National Park on Mount
Desert Island.
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, COMMON GRACKLES, AMERICAN WOODCOCKS, and TURKEY
VULTURES were widely reported throughout the state.
EASTERN MEADOWLARKS were reported from a few areas.
HOODED MERGANSERS, RING-NECKED DUCKS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, and WOOD DUCKS
were widely reported.
COMMON REDPOLL reports have diminished.
York County
At Nubble Light in York there were 7 HARLEQUIN DUCKS and a SNOWY OWL.
Elsewhere in York there were 2 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS.
Twenty-eight HARLEQUIN DUCKS were seen off of Marginal Way in Ogunquit.
In Wells there were 2 FOX SPARROWS on March 12. At Drake's Island there
were 20 SANDERLINGS. On Harbor Road in Wells a GREAT BLUE HERON was seen
on March 13. Also seen in this area were WOOD DUCK, NORTHERN PINTAIL,
several RING-NECKED DUCKS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, NORTHERN HARRIER,
RED-TAILED HAWK, NORTHERN GOSHAWK, and SHARP-SHINNED HAWK.
A PIPING PLOVER, and a KILDEER were seen at Goose Rocks Beach in
Kennebunk on March 13.
A BLACK VULTURE was seen soaring over Pool Street in Biddeford with two
TURKEY VULTURES. WOOD DUCKS, HOODED MERGANSERS, RING-NECKED DUCKS, and
GREEN-WINGED TEAL were at Biddeford Pool. An EASTERN MEADOWLARK was
seen in the fields at Hattie's Restaurant in Biddeford.
A pair of BLUE-WINGED TEAL and a KILLDEER were seen on the Boom Road in
Saco. At the Industrial Park in Saco there were 2 NORTHERN SHRIKES and
an EASTERN MEADOWLARK on March 13. In Laurel Hill Cemetery there were 2
male NORTHERN PINTAILS, a pair of WOOD DUCKS, 3 GREATER SCAUP, 1
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, a pair of EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, and a KILLDEER.
Seven COMMON MERGANSERS were at the Saco Yacht Club.
Scarborough Marsh Area
Up to 7 SNOW GEESE were behind the Pelreco Building, in Scarborough
along with 7 HOODED MERGANSERS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, and a KILLDEER.
A SNOW BUNTING was seen at the Pine Point Co-op Parking Lot.
On Eastern Road there were 49 HORNED LARK, 1 LAPLAND LONGSPUR, and 1
NORTHERN SHRIKE.
Birds in Prout's Pond included 6 RING-NECKED DUCKS, 2 COMMON MERGANSERS,
8 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 25 HOODED MERGANSERS, 2 WOOD DUCKS, and AMERICAN
WIGEONS.
A WILSON'S SNIPE was seen along Pine Point Road just before the
Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center.
An EASTERN MEADOWLARK was in the field at the end of Seavey's Landing
Road.
A NORTHERN FLICKER and SONG SPARROWS were at the Scarborough industrial
park.
Greater Portland and Western Maine
Up to 16 BRANT were seen at Kettle Cove, Cape Elizabeth along with 2
HORNED LARKS. At Two Lights State Park there were 13 HARLEQUIN DUCKS.
A GREATER YELLOWLEGS was heard near Falmouth Foreside on March 11. At
Gilsland Farm Audubon Center in Falmouth there was a COMMON SNIPE, an
AMERICAN WOODCOCK on March 13, and a FOX SPARROW is coming to the
feeders daily.
A FIELD SPARROW and CAROLINA WREN are coming to feeders at the Wild Bird
Center in Yarmouth.
Four KILLDEER were seen in North Yarmouth.
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE continue to be seen in South Freeport Harbor.
A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER and CAROLINA WREN are being seen daily at a
feeder in Windham.
Sixteen SNOW GEESE and one BLUE GOOSE were among the 100 CANADA GEESE in
the field on Maine State Route 113 at Fryeburg on March 15. In Fryeburg
Harbor on the old course of the Saco River were a pair of WOOD DUCKS, 5
HOODED MERGANSERS, 1 COMMON GOLDENEYE, and 1 NORTHERN HARRIER.
Midcoast
A FISH CROW was heard in Brunswick.
A FOX SPARROW was at a feeder in Topsham.
On Saturday, March 11, 1 male TREE SWALLOW flew over Seawall Beach,
Phippsburg along with 11 GREEN-WINGED TEAL.
An OSPREY was seen in Boothbay Harbor again this week.
In Pemaquid there were HORNED and RED-NECKED GREBE, 6 PURPLE SANDPIPERS,
and 1 HERMIT THRUSH.
Fifty GREEN-WINGED TEAL were seen at Weskeag Marsh in South Thomaston,
along with 2 GREAT BLUE HERONS, and a male AMERICAN KESTREL.
Twelve WOOD DUCKS were found by the Route 1 connector between North and
South Ponds in Warren. A CAROLINA WREN is visiting a feeder in Warren
Village along with SONG, AMERICAN TREE, FOX, and WHITE-THROATED
SPARROWS. Two female BARROW'S GOLDENEYES are still appearing in the
river occasionally.
At Clary Hill in Union, there were 2 GOLDEN EAGLES and 1 NORTHERN
HARRIER. Seen near Clary Hill were a few SNOW BUNTINGS, a male NORTHERN
HARRIER and a NORTHERN SHRIKE. At Ayer Park, on Route 235 just outside
Union village, there was a pair of NORTHERN PINTAILS, several HOODED
HERGANSERS, and a pair of RING-NECKED DUCKS. In Union, near Seven Tree
Pond, there were 4 NORTHERN PINTAILS, 2 WOOD DUCKS, 12 COMMON
MERGANSERS, and RING-NECKED DUCKS.
A TURKEY VULTURE was seen flying over the intersection of Old County
Road and Mt. Ephraim Road in Searsport.
Central Maine
At the mouth of the Abbagadassett River in Bowdoinham on March 13 there
were 2 AMERICAN WIGEON, 24 NORTHERN PINTAIL, 70 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, and 4
RING-NECKED DUCKS, among others.
At the Hallowell end of the Rail Trail there were at least 260 COMMON
MERGANSERS, 2 HOODED MERGANSERS, 7 WOOD DUCKS, 1 KILLDEER, and 1 BALD
EAGLE. In the Kennebec River in Hallowell there were over 250 COMMON
MERGANSERS, all but 10-15 were males.
Small flocks of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS and COMMON REDPOLLS passed over
a yard on Eight Rod Road in Augusta. At the landfill in Augusta there
was an ICELAND GULL.
A GREAT BLUE HERON was seen on Messalonski Stream.
Fifty to 75 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were seen in Hinckley near the bridge.
In Unity a BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD was seen on March 11.
Five- 30 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were seen near center of Carmel Village, on
Route 69.
In Dixmont there were 25 COMMON REDPOLLS and a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK.
At a feeder in Winterport there were 3 COMMON REDPOLLS, a RUSTY
BLACKBIRD, 3 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, and a COMMON YELLOWTHROAT.
At the marsh in Orrington there were 75 HOODED MERGANSERS, 30
GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 20 WOOD DUCKS, 10 RING-NECKED DUCKS, and 1 NORTHERN
PINTAIL, along with a few other species.
Eastern Maine
At the Jordan Cliffs on Mount Desert Island there were two PEREGRINE
FALCONS dive-bombing an OSPREY, and 3 adult BALD EAGLES soaring over the
Jordan Pond House. On Saturday March 11, a SNOWY OWL was seen on
Penobscot Mountain in Acadia National Park.
There has been a smallish loon seen off-and-on the past week between the
Bar Harbor town wharf and the breakwater. Based on markings in looks
like a PACIFIC LOON. A dragger operating east of Mt. Desert Rock on 3/11
reported "hundreds" of NORTHERN FULMARS. An early NORTHERN GANNET in
adult plumage was diving off Thunder Hole in Acadia National Park on
March 13. Four HARLEQUIN DUCKS were off Bass Harbor Head Light on March
12. A single TURKEY VULTURE was seen over downtown Bar Harbor on March
10. A pair of BALD EAGLES are frequenting the Sheep Porcupine Island
nest off Bar Harbor daily. A PEREGRINE FALCON was seen on Main Street in
Bar Harbor on March 9. Up to 50 PURPLE SANDPIPERS are being seen on the
Bar Harbor breakwater daily with another 25+ on the Old Soaker of Sand
Beach in Acadia National Park. Several RAZORBILLS were reported near
"the Rock" and several DOVEKIES were also reported. BLACK GUILLEMOTS are
starting to develop breeding plumage as of March 14. A BARRED OWL is
being seen regularly in Hulls Dove. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER is at a
feeder in downtown Bar Harbor daily. HAIRY and PILEATED WOODPECKERS
started establishing territory in Bar Harbor the second week of March. A
CAROLINA WREN remains at a feeder in Bar Harbor as of 3/14. After an
absence of three weeks a GRAY CATBIRD has returned to a Bar Harbor
feeder. NORTHERN CARDINALS began territorial singing as of March 11. A
small flock of COMMON REDPOLLS are moving from feeder to feeder in
neighborhoods daily.
In the Machias River (directly across from Dunkin Donuts) there were 100
COMMON MERGANSERS, 11 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, 6 CANADA GEESE, and 10
BUFFLEHEADS. At the East Machias River bridge there was a hybrid HOODED
MERGANSER X COMMON GOLDENEYE, 5 RING-NECKED DUCKS, and 1 female BARROW'S
GOLDENEYE. At the University of Maine, Machias there were 40 COMMON
REDPOLLS.
A SONG SPARROW was seen in a yard in Machiasport.
At Stimpson Landing there were 4 GREEN-WINGED TEAL.
In Whiting, at the mudflat adjacent to Look's Cannery there were 6
NORTHERN PINTAILS, 2 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, and 60 AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS.
Northern Maine
Eleven BALD EAGLES were seen along Route One in Calais.
In Houlton there were 30 COMMON GRACKLES.
A RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD was seen in Presque Isle.
COMMON REDPOLLS are being seen in Fort Kent.
Two hundred COMMON REDPOLLS abound in New Sweden.
Date: March 18, 2006
Area: State of Maine
Number: (207) 781-2332
Compilers: Judy Walker and Kay Gammons
Transcriber: Maine Audubon (
birdalert@maineaudubon.org)
At Clary Hill in Union there were 2 GOLDEN EAGLES.
A BLACK VULTURE was seen soaring over Pool Street in Biddeford.
SNOWY OWLS were reported in York and at Acadia National Park on Mount
Desert Island.
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, COMMON GRACKLES, AMERICAN WOODCOCKS, and TURKEY
VULTURES were widely reported throughout the state.
EASTERN MEADOWLARKS were reported from a few areas.
HOODED MERGANSERS, RING-NECKED DUCKS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, and WOOD DUCKS
were widely reported.
COMMON REDPOLL reports have diminished.
York County
At Nubble Light in York there were 7 HARLEQUIN DUCKS and a SNOWY OWL.
Elsewhere in York there were 2 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS.
Twenty-eight HARLEQUIN DUCKS were seen off of Marginal Way in Ogunquit.
In Wells there were 2 FOX SPARROWS on March 12. At Drake's Island there
were 20 SANDERLINGS. On Harbor Road in Wells a GREAT BLUE HERON was seen
on March 13. Also seen in this area were WOOD DUCK, NORTHERN PINTAIL,
several RING-NECKED DUCKS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, NORTHERN HARRIER,
RED-TAILED HAWK, NORTHERN GOSHAWK, and SHARP-SHINNED HAWK.
A PIPING PLOVER, and a KILDEER were seen at Goose Rocks Beach in
Kennebunk on March 13.
A BLACK VULTURE was seen soaring over Pool Street in Biddeford with two
TURKEY VULTURES. WOOD DUCKS, HOODED MERGANSERS, RING-NECKED DUCKS, and
GREEN-WINGED TEAL were at Biddeford Pool. An EASTERN MEADOWLARK was
seen in the fields at Hattie's Restaurant in Biddeford.
A pair of BLUE-WINGED TEAL and a KILLDEER were seen on the Boom Road in
Saco. At the Industrial Park in Saco there were 2 NORTHERN SHRIKES and
an EASTERN MEADOWLARK on March 13. In Laurel Hill Cemetery there were 2
male NORTHERN PINTAILS, a pair of WOOD DUCKS, 3 GREATER SCAUP, 1
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, a pair of EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, and a KILLDEER.
Seven COMMON MERGANSERS were at the Saco Yacht Club.
Scarborough Marsh Area
Up to 7 SNOW GEESE were behind the Pelreco Building, in Scarborough
along with 7 HOODED MERGANSERS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, and a KILLDEER.
A SNOW BUNTING was seen at the Pine Point Co-op Parking Lot.
On Eastern Road there were 49 HORNED LARK, 1 LAPLAND LONGSPUR, and 1
NORTHERN SHRIKE.
Birds in Prout's Pond included 6 RING-NECKED DUCKS, 2 COMMON MERGANSERS,
8 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 25 HOODED MERGANSERS, 2 WOOD DUCKS, and AMERICAN
WIGEONS.
A WILSON'S SNIPE was seen along Pine Point Road just before the
Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center.
An EASTERN MEADOWLARK was in the field at the end of Seavey's Landing
Road.
A NORTHERN FLICKER and SONG SPARROWS were at the Scarborough industrial
park.
Greater Portland and Western Maine
Up to 16 BRANT were seen at Kettle Cove, Cape Elizabeth along with 2
HORNED LARKS. At Two Lights State Park there were 13 HARLEQUIN DUCKS.
A GREATER YELLOWLEGS was heard near Falmouth Foreside on March 11. At
Gilsland Farm Audubon Center in Falmouth there was a COMMON SNIPE, an
AMERICAN WOODCOCK on March 13, and a FOX SPARROW is coming to the
feeders daily.
A FIELD SPARROW and CAROLINA WREN are coming to feeders at the Wild Bird
Center in Yarmouth.
Four KILLDEER were seen in North Yarmouth.
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE continue to be seen in South Freeport Harbor.
A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER and CAROLINA WREN are being seen daily at a
feeder in Windham.
Sixteen SNOW GEESE and one BLUE GOOSE were among the 100 CANADA GEESE in
the field on Maine State Route 113 at Fryeburg on March 15. In Fryeburg
Harbor on the old course of the Saco River were a pair of WOOD DUCKS, 5
HOODED MERGANSERS, 1 COMMON GOLDENEYE, and 1 NORTHERN HARRIER.
Midcoast
A FISH CROW was heard in Brunswick.
A FOX SPARROW was at a feeder in Topsham.
On Saturday, March 11, 1 male TREE SWALLOW flew over Seawall Beach,
Phippsburg along with 11 GREEN-WINGED TEAL.
An OSPREY was seen in Boothbay Harbor again this week.
In Pemaquid there were HORNED and RED-NECKED GREBE, 6 PURPLE SANDPIPERS,
and 1 HERMIT THRUSH.
Fifty GREEN-WINGED TEAL were seen at Weskeag Marsh in South Thomaston,
along with 2 GREAT BLUE HERONS, and a male AMERICAN KESTREL.
Twelve WOOD DUCKS were found by the Route 1 connector between North and
South Ponds in Warren. A CAROLINA WREN is visiting a feeder in Warren
Village along with SONG, AMERICAN TREE, FOX, and WHITE-THROATED
SPARROWS. Two female BARROW'S GOLDENEYES are still appearing in the
river occasionally.
At Clary Hill in Union, there were 2 GOLDEN EAGLES and 1 NORTHERN
HARRIER. Seen near Clary Hill were a few SNOW BUNTINGS, a male NORTHERN
HARRIER and a NORTHERN SHRIKE. At Ayer Park, on Route 235 just outside
Union village, there was a pair of NORTHERN PINTAILS, several HOODED
HERGANSERS, and a pair of RING-NECKED DUCKS. In Union, near Seven Tree
Pond, there were 4 NORTHERN PINTAILS, 2 WOOD DUCKS, 12 COMMON
MERGANSERS, and RING-NECKED DUCKS.
A TURKEY VULTURE was seen flying over the intersection of Old County
Road and Mt. Ephraim Road in Searsport.
Central Maine
At the mouth of the Abbagadassett River in Bowdoinham on March 13 there
were 2 AMERICAN WIGEON, 24 NORTHERN PINTAIL, 70 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, and 4
RING-NECKED DUCKS, among others.
At the Hallowell end of the Rail Trail there were at least 260 COMMON
MERGANSERS, 2 HOODED MERGANSERS, 7 WOOD DUCKS, 1 KILLDEER, and 1 BALD
EAGLE. In the Kennebec River in Hallowell there were over 250 COMMON
MERGANSERS, all but 10-15 were males.
Small flocks of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS and COMMON REDPOLLS passed over
a yard on Eight Rod Road in Augusta. At the landfill in Augusta there
was an ICELAND GULL.
A GREAT BLUE HERON was seen on Messalonski Stream.
Fifty to 75 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were seen in Hinckley near the bridge.
In Unity a BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD was seen on March 11.
Five- 30 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were seen near center of Carmel Village, on
Route 69.
In Dixmont there were 25 COMMON REDPOLLS and a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK.
At a feeder in Winterport there were 3 COMMON REDPOLLS, a RUSTY
BLACKBIRD, 3 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, and a COMMON YELLOWTHROAT.
At the marsh in Orrington there were 75 HOODED MERGANSERS, 30
GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 20 WOOD DUCKS, 10 RING-NECKED DUCKS, and 1 NORTHERN
PINTAIL, along with a few other species.
Eastern Maine
At the Jordan Cliffs on Mount Desert Island there were two PEREGRINE
FALCONS dive-bombing an OSPREY, and 3 adult BALD EAGLES soaring over the
Jordan Pond House. On Saturday March 11, a SNOWY OWL was seen on
Penobscot Mountain in Acadia National Park.
There has been a smallish loon seen off-and-on the past week between the
Bar Harbor town wharf and the breakwater. Based on markings in looks
like a PACIFIC LOON. A dragger operating east of Mt. Desert Rock on 3/11
reported "hundreds" of NORTHERN FULMARS. An early NORTHERN GANNET in
adult plumage was diving off Thunder Hole in Acadia National Park on
March 13. Four HARLEQUIN DUCKS were off Bass Harbor Head Light on March
12. A single TURKEY VULTURE was seen over downtown Bar Harbor on March
10. A pair of BALD EAGLES are frequenting the Sheep Porcupine Island
nest off Bar Harbor daily. A PEREGRINE FALCON was seen on Main Street in
Bar Harbor on March 9. Up to 50 PURPLE SANDPIPERS are being seen on the
Bar Harbor breakwater daily with another 25+ on the Old Soaker of Sand
Beach in Acadia National Park. Several RAZORBILLS were reported near
"the Rock" and several DOVEKIES were also reported. BLACK GUILLEMOTS are
starting to develop breeding plumage as of March 14. A BARRED OWL is
being seen regularly in Hulls Dove. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER is at a
feeder in downtown Bar Harbor daily. HAIRY and PILEATED WOODPECKERS
started establishing territory in Bar Harbor the second week of March. A
CAROLINA WREN remains at a feeder in Bar Harbor as of 3/14. After an
absence of three weeks a GRAY CATBIRD has returned to a Bar Harbor
feeder. NORTHERN CARDINALS began territorial singing as of March 11. A
small flock of COMMON REDPOLLS are moving from feeder to feeder in
neighborhoods daily.
In the Machias River (directly across from Dunkin Donuts) there were 100
COMMON MERGANSERS, 11 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, 6 CANADA GEESE, and 10
BUFFLEHEADS. At the East Machias River bridge there was a hybrid HOODED
MERGANSER X COMMON GOLDENEYE, 5 RING-NECKED DUCKS, and 1 female BARROW'S
GOLDENEYE. At the University of Maine, Machias there were 40 COMMON
REDPOLLS.
A SONG SPARROW was seen in a yard in Machiasport.
At Stimpson Landing there were 4 GREEN-WINGED TEAL.
In Whiting, at the mudflat adjacent to Look's Cannery there were 6
NORTHERN PINTAILS, 2 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, and 60 AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS.
Northern Maine
Eleven BALD EAGLES were seen along Route One in Calais.
In Houlton there were 30 COMMON GRACKLES.
A RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD was seen in Presque Isle.
COMMON REDPOLLS are being seen in Fort Kent.
Two hundred COMMON REDPOLLS abound in New Sweden.