Name: Maine Audubon Bird Alert
Date: February 16, 2007
Area: State of Maine
Number: (207) 781-2332
Compilers: Judy Walker, Kay Gammons
Transcriber: Maine Audubon (birdalert@maineaudubon.org)
Of Special Note
An OSPREY was seen at Broad Cove in Cape Elizabeth on February 10.
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were widely reported again this week.
York County
Two FOX SPARROWS were reported in York.
Participants on the Maine Audubon "Wings of Winter" trip to the Cliff House
and Marginal Way in York and Ogunquit on February 10 encountered 52
HARLEQUIN DUCKS, all three SCOTER species, and a flock of 50+ PURPLE
SANDPIPERS that lit on the rocks at Cliff House.
Six EASTERN BLUEBIRDS are eating berries out of a flower box in Wells.
An albino BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE and a CAROLINA WREN have been regular
visitors to a feeder in Cornish.
Greater Portland
In Scarborough, on Eastern Road there were SAVANNAH SPARROW, 6 HOODED
MERGANSERS and a COOPER’S HAWK on February 8, while a TURKEY VULTURE was
seen cruising above the Maine Turnpike on February 10. A COOPER’S HAWK
visited feeders on Pine Point and at Grondin Pond. A light phase
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was cruising fields along Winnock’s Neck Road.
Quite unusual this time of year, an OSPREY was seen at Broad Cove in Cape
Elizabeth on February 10. Sixteen BRANT continue in Cape Elizabeth seen
variously from Dyer Point to Kettle Cove with HORNED LARKS continuing at
Kettle Cove. Other reports from Dyer Point this past week included BLACK
GUILLEMOTS, GREAT CORMORANTS, and 2 RED-NECKED GREBES.
In Portland, a GADWALL was at East End Beach, a NORTHERN PINTAIL at Back
Cove, and 2 ICELAND GULLS were at the Fish Pier.
On February 12, an adult NORTHERN SHRIKE was perched at the edge of the
pond/brushy area on Gray Road in Falmouth, just north of the Falmouth Road
intersection.
A GLAUCOUS GULL stood on the ice gleaming in the sun below Lower Falls in
the Royal River in Yarmouth on February 10 and 11.
An adult RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was perched 50 feet back from the shoulder in a
little clearing on the west side off I-295 a half mile north of exit 22
(Freeport/Pownal area) on February 10. A HERMIT THRUSH continues to visit a
feeding station in Freeport.
A beautiful male WOOD DUCK was swimming around in the small mill pond at the
foot of Highland Lake, in Bridgton on February 10.
Midcoast
One HOODED MERGANSER remains in the New Meadow’s River where the Bath Road
crosses the river in Brunswick.
A WINTER WREN was calling near the parking lot of the Thornhurst Preserve in
Bath.
A FOX SPARROW, a BROWN CREEPER, a CAROLINA WREN, and 3 WHITE THROATED
SPARROWS continue at feeders in Phippsburg.
A few WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS and DARK-EYED JUNCOS were found in North
Edgecomb on February 10.
A NORTHERN SHRIKE was perched along Route 27 in Union a half mile west of
the Agway.
Monhegan birds featured 12 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS,
DARK-EYED JUNCOS, 2 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, and 2 wintering BALD EAGLES.
Lewiston-Auburn
Six EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were in Harrison.
Kennebec River Valley
A first year PEREGRINE FALCON was actively hunting pigeons in downtown
Gardiner near Dunkin Donuts on February 11.
A small flock of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS (5+) visited Eight Rod Road in Augusta on
February 10 while a NORTHERN SHRIKE was near the eastern end of Bond Brook
Road. A NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL and BARRED OWL were calling in the same area
on February 13.
At least 14 AMERICAN ROBINS were foraging on fruit on the Colby College
campus in Waterville.
Central Maine
A RED-TAILED HAWK was in Hamden and a NORTHERN HARRIER in Bangor.
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were heard unexpectedly in Caribou Bog in Old Town,
off of Poplar Street.
A BELTED KINGFISHER was observed on a power line above an open pool of water
on Route 141 in Monroe on February 13. Also sighted were 14 SNOW BUNTINGS.
Penobscot Bay
A NORTHERN GOSHAWK chased MOURNING DOVES at a feeder in Searsport on
February 13.
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were singing in a number of locations on the
Wonderland Trail in Acadia, Mount Desert and in Rene Henderson Natural Area
in Castine.
A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER and 10 CEDAR WAXWINGS were in Brooklin on
February 13.
Downeast Coast
Three EVENING GROSBEAKS were in Machiasport on February 12.
Washington County
Both WHITE-WINGED and RED CROSSBILLS are visiting a yard in Waite.
Western Maine
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS continue to be seen in areas with a good crop of
spruce cones.
A HERMIT THRUSH was in Denmark.
Six RED CROSSBILLS, a BARRED OWL, and a COOPER’S HAWK were reported in Wilton.
Eight EVENING GROSBEAKS were at Pierce Pond in North New Portland on
February 11.
On February 13, a BROWN CREEPER was spotted seven miles south of Rangeley on
Route 4.
Bird highlights on February 11 in Eustis included at least 50 WHITE-WINGED
CROSSBILLS, a RUFFED GROUSE picking buds along the roadside, an adult
NORTHERN SHRIKE darting from treetop to treetop on Flagstaff Road, 2 GRAY
JAYS, 20 PINE SISKINS, and multiple encounters with BOREAL CHICKADEES.
Aroostook County
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS continue to be seen widely.
Ten DARK-EYED JUNCOS are coming to feeders on the west side of the old air
force base in Limestone.
Action Alert: Include Barrow's goldeneye and 13 other animals on Maine's
Endangered Species List
The Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee of the Maine Legislature is
considering a bill to update the state’s list of endangered and threatened
species and add 14 animals to the list, including New England cottontail,
least bittern, Barrow’s goldeneye, and short-eared owl. Getting these 14 new
species on Maine’s endangered and threatened species list is the first step
to protecting them. However, in response to concerns raised by hunters,
legislators may not include the Barrow's goldeneye on the list.
Please urge lawmakers to maintain the integrity of the list and base
decisions on science, not politics. The Barrow's goldeneye is one species
that warrants being on the list based on the science.
Please contact lawmakers on the IFW Committee before the work session on
Tuesday, February 27. For more information, please visit
http://www.maineaudubon.org/act/070207_esa.shtml or e-mail
activist@maineaudubon.org. Thank you.
More Info: Barrow's goldeneye
The Barrow's goldeneye winter along Maine’s shoreline in very small numbers.
Extensive surveys by Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife have
shown a low population estimated to be greater than 250 but well below the
criteria of 500 that would qualify it for threatened status (worldwide
Barrow's goldeneye number fewer than 200,000 individuals).
Habitat quality on the wintering grounds may be reduced due to alterations
of aquatic habitats (e.g., river channelization, increased sediment loads
from agricultural and industrial practices, loss of coastal and interior
wetlands, and increased pollutant exposure). Oil spills are a potentially
serious threat, and could affect this species directly or indirectly by
impacting food resources (e.g., blue mussels).
Date: February 16, 2007
Area: State of Maine
Number: (207) 781-2332
Compilers: Judy Walker, Kay Gammons
Transcriber: Maine Audubon (birdalert@maineaudubon.org)
Of Special Note
An OSPREY was seen at Broad Cove in Cape Elizabeth on February 10.
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were widely reported again this week.
York County
Two FOX SPARROWS were reported in York.
Participants on the Maine Audubon "Wings of Winter" trip to the Cliff House
and Marginal Way in York and Ogunquit on February 10 encountered 52
HARLEQUIN DUCKS, all three SCOTER species, and a flock of 50+ PURPLE
SANDPIPERS that lit on the rocks at Cliff House.
Six EASTERN BLUEBIRDS are eating berries out of a flower box in Wells.
An albino BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE and a CAROLINA WREN have been regular
visitors to a feeder in Cornish.
Greater Portland
In Scarborough, on Eastern Road there were SAVANNAH SPARROW, 6 HOODED
MERGANSERS and a COOPER’S HAWK on February 8, while a TURKEY VULTURE was
seen cruising above the Maine Turnpike on February 10. A COOPER’S HAWK
visited feeders on Pine Point and at Grondin Pond. A light phase
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was cruising fields along Winnock’s Neck Road.
Quite unusual this time of year, an OSPREY was seen at Broad Cove in Cape
Elizabeth on February 10. Sixteen BRANT continue in Cape Elizabeth seen
variously from Dyer Point to Kettle Cove with HORNED LARKS continuing at
Kettle Cove. Other reports from Dyer Point this past week included BLACK
GUILLEMOTS, GREAT CORMORANTS, and 2 RED-NECKED GREBES.
In Portland, a GADWALL was at East End Beach, a NORTHERN PINTAIL at Back
Cove, and 2 ICELAND GULLS were at the Fish Pier.
On February 12, an adult NORTHERN SHRIKE was perched at the edge of the
pond/brushy area on Gray Road in Falmouth, just north of the Falmouth Road
intersection.
A GLAUCOUS GULL stood on the ice gleaming in the sun below Lower Falls in
the Royal River in Yarmouth on February 10 and 11.
An adult RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was perched 50 feet back from the shoulder in a
little clearing on the west side off I-295 a half mile north of exit 22
(Freeport/Pownal area) on February 10. A HERMIT THRUSH continues to visit a
feeding station in Freeport.
A beautiful male WOOD DUCK was swimming around in the small mill pond at the
foot of Highland Lake, in Bridgton on February 10.
Midcoast
One HOODED MERGANSER remains in the New Meadow’s River where the Bath Road
crosses the river in Brunswick.
A WINTER WREN was calling near the parking lot of the Thornhurst Preserve in
Bath.
A FOX SPARROW, a BROWN CREEPER, a CAROLINA WREN, and 3 WHITE THROATED
SPARROWS continue at feeders in Phippsburg.
A few WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS and DARK-EYED JUNCOS were found in North
Edgecomb on February 10.
A NORTHERN SHRIKE was perched along Route 27 in Union a half mile west of
the Agway.
Monhegan birds featured 12 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS,
DARK-EYED JUNCOS, 2 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, and 2 wintering BALD EAGLES.
Lewiston-Auburn
Six EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were in Harrison.
Kennebec River Valley
A first year PEREGRINE FALCON was actively hunting pigeons in downtown
Gardiner near Dunkin Donuts on February 11.
A small flock of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS (5+) visited Eight Rod Road in Augusta on
February 10 while a NORTHERN SHRIKE was near the eastern end of Bond Brook
Road. A NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL and BARRED OWL were calling in the same area
on February 13.
At least 14 AMERICAN ROBINS were foraging on fruit on the Colby College
campus in Waterville.
Central Maine
A RED-TAILED HAWK was in Hamden and a NORTHERN HARRIER in Bangor.
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were heard unexpectedly in Caribou Bog in Old Town,
off of Poplar Street.
A BELTED KINGFISHER was observed on a power line above an open pool of water
on Route 141 in Monroe on February 13. Also sighted were 14 SNOW BUNTINGS.
Penobscot Bay
A NORTHERN GOSHAWK chased MOURNING DOVES at a feeder in Searsport on
February 13.
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were singing in a number of locations on the
Wonderland Trail in Acadia, Mount Desert and in Rene Henderson Natural Area
in Castine.
A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER and 10 CEDAR WAXWINGS were in Brooklin on
February 13.
Downeast Coast
Three EVENING GROSBEAKS were in Machiasport on February 12.
Washington County
Both WHITE-WINGED and RED CROSSBILLS are visiting a yard in Waite.
Western Maine
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS continue to be seen in areas with a good crop of
spruce cones.
A HERMIT THRUSH was in Denmark.
Six RED CROSSBILLS, a BARRED OWL, and a COOPER’S HAWK were reported in Wilton.
Eight EVENING GROSBEAKS were at Pierce Pond in North New Portland on
February 11.
On February 13, a BROWN CREEPER was spotted seven miles south of Rangeley on
Route 4.
Bird highlights on February 11 in Eustis included at least 50 WHITE-WINGED
CROSSBILLS, a RUFFED GROUSE picking buds along the roadside, an adult
NORTHERN SHRIKE darting from treetop to treetop on Flagstaff Road, 2 GRAY
JAYS, 20 PINE SISKINS, and multiple encounters with BOREAL CHICKADEES.
Aroostook County
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS continue to be seen widely.
Ten DARK-EYED JUNCOS are coming to feeders on the west side of the old air
force base in Limestone.
Action Alert: Include Barrow's goldeneye and 13 other animals on Maine's
Endangered Species List
The Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee of the Maine Legislature is
considering a bill to update the state’s list of endangered and threatened
species and add 14 animals to the list, including New England cottontail,
least bittern, Barrow’s goldeneye, and short-eared owl. Getting these 14 new
species on Maine’s endangered and threatened species list is the first step
to protecting them. However, in response to concerns raised by hunters,
legislators may not include the Barrow's goldeneye on the list.
Please urge lawmakers to maintain the integrity of the list and base
decisions on science, not politics. The Barrow's goldeneye is one species
that warrants being on the list based on the science.
Please contact lawmakers on the IFW Committee before the work session on
Tuesday, February 27. For more information, please visit
http://www.maineaudubon.org/act/070207_esa.shtml or e-mail
activist@maineaudubon.org. Thank you.
More Info: Barrow's goldeneye
The Barrow's goldeneye winter along Maine’s shoreline in very small numbers.
Extensive surveys by Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife have
shown a low population estimated to be greater than 250 but well below the
criteria of 500 that would qualify it for threatened status (worldwide
Barrow's goldeneye number fewer than 200,000 individuals).
Habitat quality on the wintering grounds may be reduced due to alterations
of aquatic habitats (e.g., river channelization, increased sediment loads
from agricultural and industrial practices, loss of coastal and interior
wetlands, and increased pollutant exposure). Oil spills are a potentially
serious threat, and could affect this species directly or indirectly by
impacting food resources (e.g., blue mussels).