Name: Maine Audubon Bird Alert
Date: February 23, 2007
Area: State of Maine
Number: (207) 781-2332
Compilers: Judy Walker, Kay Gammons
Transcriber: Maine Audubon (birdalert@maineaudubon.org
)
Of Special Note
In Falmouth, a first-cycle LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen from
Bayshore Road and a BROWN THRASHER was on Shoreland Drive.
An EASTERN MEADOWLARK was in Scarborough.
Reports of CEDAR WAXWINGS have increased with BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS reported
in Augusta and Orono.
York County
Two FOX SPARROWS and a CAROLINA WREN continue in a yard in York, while 3
EASTERN BLUEBIRDS and 2 CAROLINA WRENS were elsewhere in York.
Two CAROLINA WRENS were off Longs Sands Road near the center of town in
Wells, a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER visited another yard, while 6
SANDERLINGS and 2 HORNED LARKS were noted on Drakes Island Beach.
Six COMMON MERGANSERS were in Kennebunk and a BALD EAGLE was spotted
flying over the Mousam River.
HORNED LARKS were at Granite Point in Biddeford Pool.
A male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was on the Saco River, off Route 1, below the
"upper" dam; which is across from the tattoo parlor, and behind the gray
apartments in Saco.
Greater Portland
An EASTERN MEADOWLARK flew from behind the Clam Bake to the Pelreco
building on the Pine Point Road in Scarborough on February 18. Elsewhere
on Pine Point, 2 NORTHERN HARRIERS and a GLAUCOUS GULL were at the
point, and a CAROLINA WREN and a COMMON REDPOLL were visiting a feeder.
At Scarborough Marsh, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS were seen behind the PELRECO
building, over Anjon's Restaurant on Route 1, and at Winnock's Neck. A
mixed flock of HORNED LARKS and LAPLAND LONGSPURS were seen from Eastern
Road and 5 HORNED LARKS were working the wrack line on Ferry and Western
Beaches in Scarborough.
In Cape Elizabeth this week, a CAROLINA WREN was in a yard in Broad
Cove, 16 BRANT and 10 HARLEQUIN DUCKS continue around Two Lights, and a
DOVEKIE and 4 BONAPARTE'S GULLS were spotted there on February 18.
Kettle Cove continues to host up to 20 ATLANTIC BRANT and several HORNED
LARKS. A light morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen on Wells Road in Cape
Elizabeth.
A second cycle GLAUCOUS GULL was seen at Mill Creek in South Portland on
February 18.
A third winter ICELAND GULL has been regularly seen at the end of Union
Wharf in Portland. Two PILEATED WOODPECKERS were spotted in Evergreen
Cemetery in Portland.
EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were eating berries on Pride Street in Westbrook.
In Falmouth, a first-cycle LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen from
Bayshore Drive and an early BROWN THRASHER was seen on Shoreland Drive.
Twenty COMMON MERGANSERS were sleeping at the I-295 Bridge over the
Presumpscot River in Falmouth on February 17, while 40+ COMMON
GOLDENEYES were counted from the Route 1 Bridge.
A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was seen in Cumberland on Range Road, west of the
intersection with Winn Road on February 22. Also on February 22, a
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was seen perched in a pine tree behind the municipal
garage in Cumberland Center.
A HERMIT THRUSH was feeding on winterberries at The Junipers off Collins
Road in Yarmouth on February 19.
Several BARROW'S GOLDENEYES continue to be seen at Winslow Park in
Freeport, along with around 15 DUNLIN. A HERMIT THRUSH continues at a
feeder in Freeport.
Midcoast
Twenty-four AMERICAN ROBINS and 12 CEDAR WAXWINGS were feeding in the
ornamental fruit trees across from Brackett's Market in Bath on February
16.
A SHORT-EARED OWL was seen in the marsh opposite the Popham Beach State
Park entrance, while a CAROLINA WREN and a FOX SPARROW were seen in a
Phippsburg yard.
A flock of 15 SNOW BUNTINGS was in Dresden on February 18.
A GREAT-HORNED OWL was calling in Warren on February 17, while 22 BALD
EAGLES were seen roosting together on February 18.
An over-wintering female BALTIMORE ORIOLE has been frequenting a feeder
in Thomaston.
Lewiston-Auburn
A sizeable flock of 100 or more SNOW BUNTINGS were in a field along
Route 106 in Leeds on February 17.
In Sabattus, there were 5 HOODED and 2 COMMON MERGANSERS in the outlet
stream of Sabattus Pond.
Kennebec River Valley
A NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen again in the trees near the Woodlands
Assisted Living Center along Winthrop Street in Hallowell on February
18.
A NORTHERN SHRIKE flushed birds from a feeder in Litchfield.
A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, 5 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, and a single RED
CROSSBILL vocalizing in trees were found along Eight Rod Road in
Augusta. Ten BALD EAGLES were at the Augusta landfill on February 20.
Twenty HORNED LARKS with at least two LAPLAND LONGSPURS were near a
gravel pit on Green Road north of Pirate Lane in Fairfield.
Central Maine
An out-of-habitat NORTHERN HARRIER was seen gliding over the area
between Jefferson and Division Streets in Bangor on February 20.
Nine BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were on the University of Maine campus in Orono
on February 18, while a flock of 200 CEDAR WAXWINGS were in Brewer.
On February 21, a NORTHERN SHRIKE flew across fields and landed at a
tree that overlooks the bird feeders at the Fields Pond Audubon Center
in Holden.
A trip along the County Road in Sunkhaze Meadows in Milford produced a
BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER, 2 GRAY JAYS, 3 RED CROSSBILL, 9 WHITE-WINGED
CROSSBILLS, and 2 PINE GROSBEAKS.
A pair of NORTHERN PINTAILS was in the Penobscot River near the Old
Town-Milford Bridge.
Penobscot Bay
A single BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was in the Benjamin River, while 8 were seen
in Belfast.
RED and WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were found in Blue Hill on February 18.
A BELTED KINGFISHER was seen in Searsport.
A pair of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS was constructing a nest in Brooklin.
An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER is coming to peanut butter in a yard in Hulls
Cove on Mount Desert Island.
Downeast Coast
A GREEN-WINGED TEAL was on Schoodic Point on February 18.
Washington County
Ten EVENING GROSBEAKS were at feeders in Talmadge on February 20.
Western Maine
Long Falls Dam Road in North New Portland hosted 30 WHITE-WINGED
CROSSBILLS, 2 EVENING GROSBEAKS, and a large flock of singing PINE
SISKINS on the February 20.
AMERICAN ROBINS were seen in Kingfield.
Aroostook County
A NORTHERN SHRIKE and 10 EVENING GROSBEAKS were seen in Houlton.
Upcoming Maine Audubon Birding Trip
Plum Island for Winter Specialties
Clinging to the northern coast of Massachusetts off Newburyport, Plum
Island is a barrier beach known far and wide for its great birding.
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge covers most of the island, and
there are wonderful viewing spots from which to search for a wide
variety of seabirds, waterfowl, hawks, and owls. Rarities are always a
possibility here as well. Bring lunch and a thermos of something hot to
drink, and bundle up for a brisk winter day of great birding in the
dunes and on the beach. Price includes refuge entrance fee and
transportation in the Maine Audubon van.
From Falmouth
Saturday, March 17 (weather date March 18)
7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Led by Eric Hynes
$40/member, $45/nonmember
Limited to 10 participants
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 IF&W Committee before the work session
on Tuesday, February 27. For more information, visit
http://www.maineaudubon.org/act/070207_esa.shtml
or e-mail
activist@maineaudubon.org . Thank
you.
Date: February 23, 2007
Area: State of Maine
Number: (207) 781-2332
Compilers: Judy Walker, Kay Gammons
Transcriber: Maine Audubon (birdalert@maineaudubon.org
Of Special Note
In Falmouth, a first-cycle LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen from
Bayshore Road and a BROWN THRASHER was on Shoreland Drive.
An EASTERN MEADOWLARK was in Scarborough.
Reports of CEDAR WAXWINGS have increased with BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS reported
in Augusta and Orono.
York County
Two FOX SPARROWS and a CAROLINA WREN continue in a yard in York, while 3
EASTERN BLUEBIRDS and 2 CAROLINA WRENS were elsewhere in York.
Two CAROLINA WRENS were off Longs Sands Road near the center of town in
Wells, a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER visited another yard, while 6
SANDERLINGS and 2 HORNED LARKS were noted on Drakes Island Beach.
Six COMMON MERGANSERS were in Kennebunk and a BALD EAGLE was spotted
flying over the Mousam River.
HORNED LARKS were at Granite Point in Biddeford Pool.
A male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was on the Saco River, off Route 1, below the
"upper" dam; which is across from the tattoo parlor, and behind the gray
apartments in Saco.
Greater Portland
An EASTERN MEADOWLARK flew from behind the Clam Bake to the Pelreco
building on the Pine Point Road in Scarborough on February 18. Elsewhere
on Pine Point, 2 NORTHERN HARRIERS and a GLAUCOUS GULL were at the
point, and a CAROLINA WREN and a COMMON REDPOLL were visiting a feeder.
At Scarborough Marsh, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS were seen behind the PELRECO
building, over Anjon's Restaurant on Route 1, and at Winnock's Neck. A
mixed flock of HORNED LARKS and LAPLAND LONGSPURS were seen from Eastern
Road and 5 HORNED LARKS were working the wrack line on Ferry and Western
Beaches in Scarborough.
In Cape Elizabeth this week, a CAROLINA WREN was in a yard in Broad
Cove, 16 BRANT and 10 HARLEQUIN DUCKS continue around Two Lights, and a
DOVEKIE and 4 BONAPARTE'S GULLS were spotted there on February 18.
Kettle Cove continues to host up to 20 ATLANTIC BRANT and several HORNED
LARKS. A light morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen on Wells Road in Cape
Elizabeth.
A second cycle GLAUCOUS GULL was seen at Mill Creek in South Portland on
February 18.
A third winter ICELAND GULL has been regularly seen at the end of Union
Wharf in Portland. Two PILEATED WOODPECKERS were spotted in Evergreen
Cemetery in Portland.
EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were eating berries on Pride Street in Westbrook.
In Falmouth, a first-cycle LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen from
Bayshore Drive and an early BROWN THRASHER was seen on Shoreland Drive.
Twenty COMMON MERGANSERS were sleeping at the I-295 Bridge over the
Presumpscot River in Falmouth on February 17, while 40+ COMMON
GOLDENEYES were counted from the Route 1 Bridge.
A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was seen in Cumberland on Range Road, west of the
intersection with Winn Road on February 22. Also on February 22, a
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was seen perched in a pine tree behind the municipal
garage in Cumberland Center.
A HERMIT THRUSH was feeding on winterberries at The Junipers off Collins
Road in Yarmouth on February 19.
Several BARROW'S GOLDENEYES continue to be seen at Winslow Park in
Freeport, along with around 15 DUNLIN. A HERMIT THRUSH continues at a
feeder in Freeport.
Midcoast
Twenty-four AMERICAN ROBINS and 12 CEDAR WAXWINGS were feeding in the
ornamental fruit trees across from Brackett's Market in Bath on February
16.
A SHORT-EARED OWL was seen in the marsh opposite the Popham Beach State
Park entrance, while a CAROLINA WREN and a FOX SPARROW were seen in a
Phippsburg yard.
A flock of 15 SNOW BUNTINGS was in Dresden on February 18.
A GREAT-HORNED OWL was calling in Warren on February 17, while 22 BALD
EAGLES were seen roosting together on February 18.
An over-wintering female BALTIMORE ORIOLE has been frequenting a feeder
in Thomaston.
Lewiston-Auburn
A sizeable flock of 100 or more SNOW BUNTINGS were in a field along
Route 106 in Leeds on February 17.
In Sabattus, there were 5 HOODED and 2 COMMON MERGANSERS in the outlet
stream of Sabattus Pond.
Kennebec River Valley
A NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen again in the trees near the Woodlands
Assisted Living Center along Winthrop Street in Hallowell on February
18.
A NORTHERN SHRIKE flushed birds from a feeder in Litchfield.
A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, 5 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, and a single RED
CROSSBILL vocalizing in trees were found along Eight Rod Road in
Augusta. Ten BALD EAGLES were at the Augusta landfill on February 20.
Twenty HORNED LARKS with at least two LAPLAND LONGSPURS were near a
gravel pit on Green Road north of Pirate Lane in Fairfield.
Central Maine
An out-of-habitat NORTHERN HARRIER was seen gliding over the area
between Jefferson and Division Streets in Bangor on February 20.
Nine BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were on the University of Maine campus in Orono
on February 18, while a flock of 200 CEDAR WAXWINGS were in Brewer.
On February 21, a NORTHERN SHRIKE flew across fields and landed at a
tree that overlooks the bird feeders at the Fields Pond Audubon Center
in Holden.
A trip along the County Road in Sunkhaze Meadows in Milford produced a
BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER, 2 GRAY JAYS, 3 RED CROSSBILL, 9 WHITE-WINGED
CROSSBILLS, and 2 PINE GROSBEAKS.
A pair of NORTHERN PINTAILS was in the Penobscot River near the Old
Town-Milford Bridge.
Penobscot Bay
A single BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was in the Benjamin River, while 8 were seen
in Belfast.
RED and WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were found in Blue Hill on February 18.
A BELTED KINGFISHER was seen in Searsport.
A pair of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS was constructing a nest in Brooklin.
An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER is coming to peanut butter in a yard in Hulls
Cove on Mount Desert Island.
Downeast Coast
A GREEN-WINGED TEAL was on Schoodic Point on February 18.
Washington County
Ten EVENING GROSBEAKS were at feeders in Talmadge on February 20.
Western Maine
Long Falls Dam Road in North New Portland hosted 30 WHITE-WINGED
CROSSBILLS, 2 EVENING GROSBEAKS, and a large flock of singing PINE
SISKINS on the February 20.
AMERICAN ROBINS were seen in Kingfield.
Aroostook County
A NORTHERN SHRIKE and 10 EVENING GROSBEAKS were seen in Houlton.
Upcoming Maine Audubon Birding Trip
Plum Island for Winter Specialties
Clinging to the northern coast of Massachusetts off Newburyport, Plum
Island is a barrier beach known far and wide for its great birding.
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge covers most of the island, and
there are wonderful viewing spots from which to search for a wide
variety of seabirds, waterfowl, hawks, and owls. Rarities are always a
possibility here as well. Bring lunch and a thermos of something hot to
drink, and bundle up for a brisk winter day of great birding in the
dunes and on the beach. Price includes refuge entrance fee and
transportation in the Maine Audubon van.
From Falmouth
Saturday, March 17 (weather date March 18)
7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Led by Eric Hynes
$40/member, $45/nonmember
Limited to 10 participants
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 IF&W Committee before the work session
on Tuesday, February 27. For more information, visit
http://www.maineaudubon.org/act/070207_esa.shtml
activist@maineaudubon.org
you.