Name: Maine Audubon Bird Alert
Date: December 23, 2006
Area: State of Maine
Number: (207) 781-2332
Compilers: Judy Walker, Kay Gammons
Transcriber: Maine Audubon (birdalert@maineaudubon.org)
Of Special Note
The YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER is along the southern end of Water Street in
Waterville and has been seen as late as December 20.
A SNOWY OWL was in Corinna on December 18.
Christmas Bird Counts on the coast were treated to sightings of
DOVEKIES, BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, and RAZORBILLS in good numbers.
Sightings have continued through the week.
York County
The York County CBC tallied 74 species on December 18. Highlights
included a PACIFIC LOON, 16 DOVEKIES, 71 RAZORBILLS, 8 BLACK-LEGGED
KITTIWAKES, and 36 NORTHERN GANNETS. Lingering species included a
NORTHERN PINTAIL, 10 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, 4 GREAT BLUE HERONS, 2
BELTED KINGFISHERS, a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, 2 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS,
and a CHIPPING SPARROW. In addition, 2 IPSWICH SAVANNAH SPARROWS were at
Ogunquit Beach. Also seen were 26 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 4 RED-BELLIED
WOODPECKERS, and 7 CAROLINA WRENS.
At Biddeford Pool there were 306 PURPLE SANDPIPERS, a single DOVEKIE,
many RAZORBILLS, a HERMIT THRUSH, a GADWALL, and a SANDERLING.
Several TURKEY VULTURES were seen scattered in different locations in
York County.
A group of six SNOW GEESE continues in the field adjacent to the
Laudholm campus of the Wells Reserve in Wells.
Greater Portland and Western Maine
The Greater Portland CBC was held on December 16, with 105 species
observed. Among the highlights were 26 waterfowl species, including a
SNOW GOOSE, 3 BRANT, a WOOD DUCK, 2 GADWALL, a CANVASBACK on Grondin
Pond, seen as recently as the 17th, 2 RING-NECKED DUCKS, GREATER and
LESSER SCAUP, 19 HARLEQUIN DUCKS, and a BARROW'S GOLDENEYE. Also seen on
the count were a PACIFIC LOON at Two Lights, 141 RED-NECKED GREBES
(three times the previous high for the count), 1 GREATER SHEARWATER, 2
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, and 3 TURKEY VULTURES. Eight hawk species
were seen, including a dark morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK at Richmond Island,
and 3 PEREGRINE FALCONS. Five DOVEKIESS were at Two Lights State Park.
Also seen on the count were 10 AMERICAN COOTS, 1 VIRGINIA RAIL, 3
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, 2 WILSON'S SNIPES, 2 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, 4
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, 1 NORTHERN SHRIKE, 4 CAROLINA WRENS, 27 EASTERN
BLUEBIRDS, 2 HERMIT THRUSH, 1 GRAY CATBIRD, and 1 ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLER.
The second annual Rangeley CBC was held on Sunday December 17, and was
blessed with moderate temperatures, open water and a huge cone crop.
Partial results included 9 BOREAL CHICKADEES, 87 PURPLE FINCHES, 80 PINE
SISKINS, 69 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, 36 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, and 65
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS.
Other sightings this week were a light adult POMARINE JAEGER, 5-6
DOVEKIES, and 20 PURPLE SANDPIPERS at Dyer Point in Cape Elizabeth on
December 19.
A NORTHERN PINTAIL and an AMERICAN WIGEON were at Evergreen Cemetery in
Portland.
Several RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS have been coming to a feeder in Freeport.
A BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER is still coming to a feeder in Windham.
A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER and 100 COMMON MERGANSERS were on Highland
Lake in Bridgton.
Midcoast
Eighty-four species were seen on the Lower Kennebec CBC. Highlights were
two new species for the count, a TURKEY VULTURE and a LINCOLN'S SPARROW.
Record high counts included 68 RED-THROATED LOONS, 232 RED-NECKED
GREBES, and 1,199 AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS. The Small Point section produced
40+ RED-THROATED LOONS, 180+ RAZORBILLS, 180+ BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES,
and a MARSH WREN while a LINCOLN'S SPARROW was tallied in Southport. Six
BARROW'S GOLDENEYES were on the New Meadow's River.
Highlights of the Rockland-Thomaston CBC included a SWAMP SPARROW on the
Samoset Golf Course, a BLACK-HEADED GULL, and 90+ COOTS at Chickawaukee
Beach. Also seen were an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, 2 AMERICAN KESTRELS and
a MERLIN in Spruce Head. Other birds on the count included a very late
TURKEY VULTURE in Owls Head, a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, and a GRAY
CATBIRD in downtown Rockland. Fifty BALD EAGLES were on the St. George
in Warren, a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was on Spruce Head Island, and GREAT BLUE
HERON and MARSH WREN were seen at Weskeag Marsh. A BLACK-LEGGED
KITTIWAKE and 19 RAZORBILLS were seen from the Vinalhaven ferry entering
Rockland Harbor.
The Blue Hill CBC was held on December 17 and highlights were 2 GRAY
JAY, 1 SPRUCE GROUSE, 3 NORTHERN FLICKERS, 2 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, and
50+ GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS. Also seen were GREAT HORNED OWL, BARRED
OWL, NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL, LONG-EARED OWL, PEREGRINE FALCON,
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, NORTHERN GOSHAWK, AMERICAN BITTERN, and 2 NORTHERN
SHRIKES.
Both CAROLINA WREN and BALTIMORE ORIOLE were in Phippsburg.
A KING EIDER was spotted on Linekin Bay in Boothbay.
A NORTHERN HARRIER was reported from Beach Hill in Rockport.
At least 8 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were foraging in the bushes on Mount Battie
Street in Camden on December 22.
Eastern Maine
A GLAUCOUS GULL, a PEREGRINE FALCON, and 27 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were
seen on the Bar Harbor CBC between Schooner Head and Bracey Cove.
Central Maine
The Lewiston-Auburn CBC totaled 42 species including 35 GREATER SCAUP
and an AMERICAN COOT at Sabattus Pond. Seventy five COMMON MERGANSERS
set a count high. A RED-NECKED GREBE on Lake Auburn was a new species
for the count. The PEREGRINE FALCON was found again at Saints Peter and
Paul Church in Lewiston.
Two ICELAND GULLS, 2 GLAUCOUS GULLS, and a first winter LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULL were at the Augusta Landfill on December 16, while a
PINE GROSBEAK, a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL, and a RED-CROSSBILL were on
Eight Rod Road.
Two males and a female EASTERN BLUEBIRD were seen on December 21 in
Litchfield.
The YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER was seen at a feeder along the southern end
of Water Street in Waterville on December 17. Also in Waterville, a
HARLEQUIN DUCK was in the Kennebec River near Fort Halifax and 2
CAROLINA WRENS were on the River Road.
A SNOWY OWL was photographed on December 18 in the Morse Corners area of
Corinna off Routes 11 and 43.
Northern Maine
Seen in the Jackman area were 10 BOREAL CHICKADEES, 7 GRAY JAYS, many
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, PURPLE FINCHES, 5 EVENING GROSBEAKS, 9 PINE
SISKINS, and 2 BALD EAGLES.
A PINE GROSBEAK, PINE SISKINS, and REDPOLLS were in Fort Kent.
Christmas Bird Counts
Join the more than 50,000 observers who participate each year in the
Audubon Christmas Bird Count, a census of early winter bird populations
in more than 1,500 locations from Canada to Latin America. For more than
a century the results of this count have been compiled to create the
longest-running database in ornithology. Birders of all abilities are
welcome to participate. There is a per-person charge of $5 for all
counts, with additional fees for boat trips. Please contact the count
compiler for details. Check www.maineaudubon.org
locations.
Bangor/Bucksport: Saturday, December 30
Contact Fields Pond Audubon Center at (207) 989-2591
Greater Deer Isle: Saturday, December 30
Contact Ken Crowell at (207) 348-6065 or Chip Moseley at (207) 359-2558
Freeport/Brunswick: Saturday, December 30
Contact Judy Walker at (207) 781-2330 or jwalker@maineaudubon.org
Biddeford/Kennebunkport: Sunday, December 31
Contact Marie Jordan at (207) 799-1408
Schoodic Point: Monday, January 1
Contact William Townsend at (207) 288-5654 or townsend10@verizon.net
Maine Audubon Connects People with Nature.
Date: December 23, 2006
Area: State of Maine
Number: (207) 781-2332
Compilers: Judy Walker, Kay Gammons
Transcriber: Maine Audubon (birdalert@maineaudubon.org)
Of Special Note
The YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER is along the southern end of Water Street in
Waterville and has been seen as late as December 20.
A SNOWY OWL was in Corinna on December 18.
Christmas Bird Counts on the coast were treated to sightings of
DOVEKIES, BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, and RAZORBILLS in good numbers.
Sightings have continued through the week.
York County
The York County CBC tallied 74 species on December 18. Highlights
included a PACIFIC LOON, 16 DOVEKIES, 71 RAZORBILLS, 8 BLACK-LEGGED
KITTIWAKES, and 36 NORTHERN GANNETS. Lingering species included a
NORTHERN PINTAIL, 10 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, 4 GREAT BLUE HERONS, 2
BELTED KINGFISHERS, a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, 2 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS,
and a CHIPPING SPARROW. In addition, 2 IPSWICH SAVANNAH SPARROWS were at
Ogunquit Beach. Also seen were 26 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 4 RED-BELLIED
WOODPECKERS, and 7 CAROLINA WRENS.
At Biddeford Pool there were 306 PURPLE SANDPIPERS, a single DOVEKIE,
many RAZORBILLS, a HERMIT THRUSH, a GADWALL, and a SANDERLING.
Several TURKEY VULTURES were seen scattered in different locations in
York County.
A group of six SNOW GEESE continues in the field adjacent to the
Laudholm campus of the Wells Reserve in Wells.
Greater Portland and Western Maine
The Greater Portland CBC was held on December 16, with 105 species
observed. Among the highlights were 26 waterfowl species, including a
SNOW GOOSE, 3 BRANT, a WOOD DUCK, 2 GADWALL, a CANVASBACK on Grondin
Pond, seen as recently as the 17th, 2 RING-NECKED DUCKS, GREATER and
LESSER SCAUP, 19 HARLEQUIN DUCKS, and a BARROW'S GOLDENEYE. Also seen on
the count were a PACIFIC LOON at Two Lights, 141 RED-NECKED GREBES
(three times the previous high for the count), 1 GREATER SHEARWATER, 2
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, and 3 TURKEY VULTURES. Eight hawk species
were seen, including a dark morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK at Richmond Island,
and 3 PEREGRINE FALCONS. Five DOVEKIESS were at Two Lights State Park.
Also seen on the count were 10 AMERICAN COOTS, 1 VIRGINIA RAIL, 3
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, 2 WILSON'S SNIPES, 2 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, 4
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, 1 NORTHERN SHRIKE, 4 CAROLINA WRENS, 27 EASTERN
BLUEBIRDS, 2 HERMIT THRUSH, 1 GRAY CATBIRD, and 1 ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLER.
The second annual Rangeley CBC was held on Sunday December 17, and was
blessed with moderate temperatures, open water and a huge cone crop.
Partial results included 9 BOREAL CHICKADEES, 87 PURPLE FINCHES, 80 PINE
SISKINS, 69 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, 36 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, and 65
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS.
Other sightings this week were a light adult POMARINE JAEGER, 5-6
DOVEKIES, and 20 PURPLE SANDPIPERS at Dyer Point in Cape Elizabeth on
December 19.
A NORTHERN PINTAIL and an AMERICAN WIGEON were at Evergreen Cemetery in
Portland.
Several RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS have been coming to a feeder in Freeport.
A BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER is still coming to a feeder in Windham.
A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER and 100 COMMON MERGANSERS were on Highland
Lake in Bridgton.
Midcoast
Eighty-four species were seen on the Lower Kennebec CBC. Highlights were
two new species for the count, a TURKEY VULTURE and a LINCOLN'S SPARROW.
Record high counts included 68 RED-THROATED LOONS, 232 RED-NECKED
GREBES, and 1,199 AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS. The Small Point section produced
40+ RED-THROATED LOONS, 180+ RAZORBILLS, 180+ BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES,
and a MARSH WREN while a LINCOLN'S SPARROW was tallied in Southport. Six
BARROW'S GOLDENEYES were on the New Meadow's River.
Highlights of the Rockland-Thomaston CBC included a SWAMP SPARROW on the
Samoset Golf Course, a BLACK-HEADED GULL, and 90+ COOTS at Chickawaukee
Beach. Also seen were an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, 2 AMERICAN KESTRELS and
a MERLIN in Spruce Head. Other birds on the count included a very late
TURKEY VULTURE in Owls Head, a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, and a GRAY
CATBIRD in downtown Rockland. Fifty BALD EAGLES were on the St. George
in Warren, a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was on Spruce Head Island, and GREAT BLUE
HERON and MARSH WREN were seen at Weskeag Marsh. A BLACK-LEGGED
KITTIWAKE and 19 RAZORBILLS were seen from the Vinalhaven ferry entering
Rockland Harbor.
The Blue Hill CBC was held on December 17 and highlights were 2 GRAY
JAY, 1 SPRUCE GROUSE, 3 NORTHERN FLICKERS, 2 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, and
50+ GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS. Also seen were GREAT HORNED OWL, BARRED
OWL, NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL, LONG-EARED OWL, PEREGRINE FALCON,
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, NORTHERN GOSHAWK, AMERICAN BITTERN, and 2 NORTHERN
SHRIKES.
Both CAROLINA WREN and BALTIMORE ORIOLE were in Phippsburg.
A KING EIDER was spotted on Linekin Bay in Boothbay.
A NORTHERN HARRIER was reported from Beach Hill in Rockport.
At least 8 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were foraging in the bushes on Mount Battie
Street in Camden on December 22.
Eastern Maine
A GLAUCOUS GULL, a PEREGRINE FALCON, and 27 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were
seen on the Bar Harbor CBC between Schooner Head and Bracey Cove.
Central Maine
The Lewiston-Auburn CBC totaled 42 species including 35 GREATER SCAUP
and an AMERICAN COOT at Sabattus Pond. Seventy five COMMON MERGANSERS
set a count high. A RED-NECKED GREBE on Lake Auburn was a new species
for the count. The PEREGRINE FALCON was found again at Saints Peter and
Paul Church in Lewiston.
Two ICELAND GULLS, 2 GLAUCOUS GULLS, and a first winter LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULL were at the Augusta Landfill on December 16, while a
PINE GROSBEAK, a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL, and a RED-CROSSBILL were on
Eight Rod Road.
Two males and a female EASTERN BLUEBIRD were seen on December 21 in
Litchfield.
The YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER was seen at a feeder along the southern end
of Water Street in Waterville on December 17. Also in Waterville, a
HARLEQUIN DUCK was in the Kennebec River near Fort Halifax and 2
CAROLINA WRENS were on the River Road.
A SNOWY OWL was photographed on December 18 in the Morse Corners area of
Corinna off Routes 11 and 43.
Northern Maine
Seen in the Jackman area were 10 BOREAL CHICKADEES, 7 GRAY JAYS, many
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, PURPLE FINCHES, 5 EVENING GROSBEAKS, 9 PINE
SISKINS, and 2 BALD EAGLES.
A PINE GROSBEAK, PINE SISKINS, and REDPOLLS were in Fort Kent.
Christmas Bird Counts
Join the more than 50,000 observers who participate each year in the
Audubon Christmas Bird Count, a census of early winter bird populations
in more than 1,500 locations from Canada to Latin America. For more than
a century the results of this count have been compiled to create the
longest-running database in ornithology. Birders of all abilities are
welcome to participate. There is a per-person charge of $5 for all
counts, with additional fees for boat trips. Please contact the count
compiler for details. Check www.maineaudubon.org
locations.
Bangor/Bucksport: Saturday, December 30
Contact Fields Pond Audubon Center at (207) 989-2591
Greater Deer Isle: Saturday, December 30
Contact Ken Crowell at (207) 348-6065 or Chip Moseley at (207) 359-2558
Freeport/Brunswick: Saturday, December 30
Contact Judy Walker at (207) 781-2330 or jwalker@maineaudubon.org
Biddeford/Kennebunkport: Sunday, December 31
Contact Marie Jordan at (207) 799-1408
Schoodic Point: Monday, January 1
Contact William Townsend at (207) 288-5654 or townsend10@verizon.net
Maine Audubon Connects People with Nature.