Name: Maine Audubon Bird Alert
Date: March 16, 2007
Area: State of Maine
Number: (207) 781-2332
Compilers: Judy Walker, Kay Gammons
Transcriber: Maine Audubon (birdalert@maineaudubon.org)
Of Special Note
This week marked the return of RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, COMMON GRACKLES, and
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS in southern and coastal areas and the beginning of
hawk migration with TURKEY VULTURES and RED-TAILED HAWKS the most commonly
reported. At weeks end, migrating waterfowl began appearing in south coastal
marshes.
Notable among the early migrants was a PINE WARBLER in Saco and an EASTERN
PHOEBE in Talmage.
Rare birds included a PACIFIC LOON in Kennebunk, a BLACK-HEADED GULL in
South Freeport, a GOLDEN EAGLE in Rockland, and an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER in
Bar Harbor.
York County
A male NORTHERN PINTAIL was on the Cape Neddick River on March 11.
A PACIFIC LOON was seen on March 10 at the mouth of the Mousam River from
Parson’s Beach in Kennebunk. A FOX SPARROW was at a feeder in West Kennebunk
and an AMERICAN WOODCOCK which flushed from a hillside.
Reports from East Point Sanctuary in Biddeford Pool included a pair of
HARLEQUIN DUCKS on March 10, 40+ BRANT and HORNED LARKS on the golf course
on March 13.
Early migrants in Saco’s Laurel Hill Cemetery included an early PINE
WARBLER, 2 NORTHERN FLICKERS, 2 TURKEY VULTURES, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS,
COMMON GRACKLES, 1 PURPLE FINCH, 1 CAROLINA WREN, 1 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER,
1 PILEATED WOODPECKER, and a RED-TAILED HAWK. A drake BARROW'S GOLDENEYE
continued on the Saco River, seen from Water Street in Saco.
A NORTHERN HARRIER was at Goosefare Brook in Old Orchard where Route 9 crosses.
Greater Portland
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS returned in numbers to Scarborough Marsh with over 100
reported at feeders on Old Neck Road, while KILLDEER were reported at
several locations. Two BALD EAGLES landed on the marsh between Eastern Trail
and the Nature Center. Sightings on March 12 included a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, a
COOPER’S HAWK, and 28 HORNED LARKS. Migrating waterfowl arriving at weeks
end were 2 pairs of NORTHERN SHOVELERS, 2 AMERICAN WIGEONS, and 2
RING-NECKED DUCKS at the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center and 8 GREEN-WINGED
TEAL at Pelreco. Elsewhere in Scarborough, 11 hawks including at least 3
RED-TAILED HAWKS were seen over Fuller Farm on March 14 and 4 KILLDEER were
seen in the fields.
In Cape Elizabeth, a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK hunted the Spurwink Marsh, 4
HARLEQUIN DUCKS continued at Dyer Point, 3 FOX SPARROWS were at a feeder,
and a COOPER'S HAWK and a pair of RAVENS were at a local sand pit.
In South Portland at Exit 45 on I-95, a GREAT HORNED OWL perched near a
power line corridor on March 11.
In Portland, an AMERICAN WIGEON was in Evergreen Cemetery and 2 ICELAND
GULLS were at the Fish Pier on March 15, and a PEREGRINE FALCON was seen
perched on the ledge of an office building.
A MUTE SWAN was seen from the Route 1 crossing on the Presumpscot River in
Falmouth on March 11.
An AMERICAN KESTREL was seen near the Rand Road exit of the turnpike in
Westbrook on March 11, while a COOPER’S HAWK was seen in Gorham on March 15.
Single FOX SPARROWS were visiting yards in Cumberland and Gorham.
BARROW’S GOLDENEYES at Winslow Park in Freeport were joined by 6 RING-NECKED
DUCKS and 4 HOODED MERGANSERS on March 15. Near Wolf’s Neck Farm in Freeport
there were EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, and on Maquoit Drive there were 35-40 CEDAR
WAXWINGS, 3 BROWN CREEPERS, 1 FEMALE BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, WHITE-THROATED
and SONG SPARROWS, and 1 PINE GROSBEAK. An adult BLACK-HEADED GULL flew past
the town dock in South Freeport on March 10.
Midcoast
A PEREGRINE FALCON was in downtown Bath on March 10, while two were seen
hunting ROCK PIGEONS at the falls on the Androscoggin River in Brunswick on
March 11.
Single COOPER’S HAWKS were seen in Topsham and in Bath.
Two FOX SPARROWS are visiting feeders in Bowdoinham.
A SHORT-EARED OWL continues at Popham Beach in Phippsburg. Also present on
March 10 were 25 SANDERLINGS. Two BALD EAGLES were at a nest on the upper
New Meadows River in West Bath on March 8, while 2 BARROW’S GOLDENEYES and
several HOODED MERGANSERS continued on the lower river.
In Georgetown, reports included 4 RUFFED GROUSE, 2 BALD EAGLES, 7 PURPLE
FINCHES, and a NORTHERN GOSHAWK.
Eighteen RED-NECKED GREBES and 5 HORNED GREBES were at Pemaquid Point.
A GOLDEN EAGLE, 30 BALD EAGLES, and a GLAUCOUS GULL were seen near Rockland
on March 11.
Lewiston-Auburn
Two TURKEY VULTURES were in Sabattus on March 11, while a NORTHERN SHRIKE
was in a field in Wales.
Kennebec River Valley
A HERMIT THRUSH was calling in the woods on Rod Road in Augusta on March 12,
and a WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL, BROWN CREEPER, and a FOX SPARROW were heard
earlier in the week.
Joining the COMMON GOLDENEYES and 2 BARROW’S GOLDENEYES at Fort Halifax in
Winslow on March 13 were 4 RING-NECKED DUCKS and 4 COMMON MERGANSERS.
A KILLDEER arrived in a hay field in Sidney on March 14.
In Fairfield, a SHORT-EARED OWL was hunting the gravel pit on the Green Road
through March 14. Two SNOW BUNTINGS were seen in the same area on March 13.
Elsewhere in Fairfield, a FOX SPARROW arrived at a feeder.
Twenty-five SNOW BUNTINGS made an appearance along the Russell Road in
Skowhegan on March 9.
Central Maine
Kenduskeag Avenue in downtown Bangor was visited by 50 CEDAR WAXWINGS, a
NORTHERN HARRIER, and a BALD EAGLE on March 9 while a male MERLIN was
perched and calling on Division Street on March 14.
NORTHERN SHRIKES were seen roadside on March 12 next to the railroad
crossing on Route 43 in Hudson and near the T intersection of Routes 43 and
11 in Exeter.
A BARRED OWL was sunning himself on the Kirkland Road in Old Town.
A SNOWY OWL continued at Veazieland Farm on the corner of Routes 43 and 11
and the White Road in Corinna, perching on the peak of the barn on March 12.
Penobscot Bay
Two BARROW’S GOLDENEYES were in Bar Harbor on March 8, while 150 PURPLE
SANDPIPERS were found on Bar Harbor Breakwater on March 11 with another 350
in spots along Ocean Drive.
A DOVEKIE and 2 sub-adult NORTHERN GANNETS were off Thunder Hole in Acadia
National Park, also on March 11.
An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was at feeders in Hulls Cove through at least March 8.
Washington County
In Calais, 3 BALD EAGLES were harassing gulls on ice on the St. Croix River,
PILEATED WOODPECKERS were courting in-town, and a NORTHERN SHRIKE, and 15
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were at the Calais Cemetery.
Elsewhere in Washington County, 8 – 10 COMMON REDPOLLS were foraging in
alders on the Middle Ground section of the Airline Road.
An EASTERN PHOEBE was heard singing in Talmadge on March 14.
Western Maine
WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were singing in Kezar Falls.
A light morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen at the base of Burnt Meadow
Mountain in Brownfield on March 13.
A SNOW GOOSE was in field across from Weston's beach on Route 113 in
Fryeburg along with 41 Canada Geese.
Sightings in Wilton included NORTHERN SAW-WHET and BARRED OWLS, plus 10
EVENING GROSBEAKS.
At least a thousand WHITE-WING CROSSBILLS were seen on the Golden in Baxter
State Park on March 9. Other highlights on March 9 and 10 included 10 RED
CROSSBILLS, 200 PINE SISKINS, 2 BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS at mile 13.5, at
least 50 PURPLE FINCHES, a GRAY JAY, 2 RUFFED GROUSE, and 10 COMMON RAVENS.
Aroostook County
PURPLE FINCHES, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, and SNOW BUNTINGS were reported in
Presque Isle.
A few SNOW BUNTINGS, 7 PURPLE FINCHES, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS and a HORNED
LARK were seen in Houlton.
Five WILD TURKEYS were spotted in Monticello.
Six SNOW BUNTINGS were in Frenchville on March 10.
www.maineaudubon.org
Maine Audubon Connects People with Nature.
Date: March 16, 2007
Area: State of Maine
Number: (207) 781-2332
Compilers: Judy Walker, Kay Gammons
Transcriber: Maine Audubon (birdalert@maineaudubon.org)
Of Special Note
This week marked the return of RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, COMMON GRACKLES, and
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS in southern and coastal areas and the beginning of
hawk migration with TURKEY VULTURES and RED-TAILED HAWKS the most commonly
reported. At weeks end, migrating waterfowl began appearing in south coastal
marshes.
Notable among the early migrants was a PINE WARBLER in Saco and an EASTERN
PHOEBE in Talmage.
Rare birds included a PACIFIC LOON in Kennebunk, a BLACK-HEADED GULL in
South Freeport, a GOLDEN EAGLE in Rockland, and an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER in
Bar Harbor.
York County
A male NORTHERN PINTAIL was on the Cape Neddick River on March 11.
A PACIFIC LOON was seen on March 10 at the mouth of the Mousam River from
Parson’s Beach in Kennebunk. A FOX SPARROW was at a feeder in West Kennebunk
and an AMERICAN WOODCOCK which flushed from a hillside.
Reports from East Point Sanctuary in Biddeford Pool included a pair of
HARLEQUIN DUCKS on March 10, 40+ BRANT and HORNED LARKS on the golf course
on March 13.
Early migrants in Saco’s Laurel Hill Cemetery included an early PINE
WARBLER, 2 NORTHERN FLICKERS, 2 TURKEY VULTURES, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS,
COMMON GRACKLES, 1 PURPLE FINCH, 1 CAROLINA WREN, 1 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER,
1 PILEATED WOODPECKER, and a RED-TAILED HAWK. A drake BARROW'S GOLDENEYE
continued on the Saco River, seen from Water Street in Saco.
A NORTHERN HARRIER was at Goosefare Brook in Old Orchard where Route 9 crosses.
Greater Portland
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS returned in numbers to Scarborough Marsh with over 100
reported at feeders on Old Neck Road, while KILLDEER were reported at
several locations. Two BALD EAGLES landed on the marsh between Eastern Trail
and the Nature Center. Sightings on March 12 included a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, a
COOPER’S HAWK, and 28 HORNED LARKS. Migrating waterfowl arriving at weeks
end were 2 pairs of NORTHERN SHOVELERS, 2 AMERICAN WIGEONS, and 2
RING-NECKED DUCKS at the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center and 8 GREEN-WINGED
TEAL at Pelreco. Elsewhere in Scarborough, 11 hawks including at least 3
RED-TAILED HAWKS were seen over Fuller Farm on March 14 and 4 KILLDEER were
seen in the fields.
In Cape Elizabeth, a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK hunted the Spurwink Marsh, 4
HARLEQUIN DUCKS continued at Dyer Point, 3 FOX SPARROWS were at a feeder,
and a COOPER'S HAWK and a pair of RAVENS were at a local sand pit.
In South Portland at Exit 45 on I-95, a GREAT HORNED OWL perched near a
power line corridor on March 11.
In Portland, an AMERICAN WIGEON was in Evergreen Cemetery and 2 ICELAND
GULLS were at the Fish Pier on March 15, and a PEREGRINE FALCON was seen
perched on the ledge of an office building.
A MUTE SWAN was seen from the Route 1 crossing on the Presumpscot River in
Falmouth on March 11.
An AMERICAN KESTREL was seen near the Rand Road exit of the turnpike in
Westbrook on March 11, while a COOPER’S HAWK was seen in Gorham on March 15.
Single FOX SPARROWS were visiting yards in Cumberland and Gorham.
BARROW’S GOLDENEYES at Winslow Park in Freeport were joined by 6 RING-NECKED
DUCKS and 4 HOODED MERGANSERS on March 15. Near Wolf’s Neck Farm in Freeport
there were EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, and on Maquoit Drive there were 35-40 CEDAR
WAXWINGS, 3 BROWN CREEPERS, 1 FEMALE BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, WHITE-THROATED
and SONG SPARROWS, and 1 PINE GROSBEAK. An adult BLACK-HEADED GULL flew past
the town dock in South Freeport on March 10.
Midcoast
A PEREGRINE FALCON was in downtown Bath on March 10, while two were seen
hunting ROCK PIGEONS at the falls on the Androscoggin River in Brunswick on
March 11.
Single COOPER’S HAWKS were seen in Topsham and in Bath.
Two FOX SPARROWS are visiting feeders in Bowdoinham.
A SHORT-EARED OWL continues at Popham Beach in Phippsburg. Also present on
March 10 were 25 SANDERLINGS. Two BALD EAGLES were at a nest on the upper
New Meadows River in West Bath on March 8, while 2 BARROW’S GOLDENEYES and
several HOODED MERGANSERS continued on the lower river.
In Georgetown, reports included 4 RUFFED GROUSE, 2 BALD EAGLES, 7 PURPLE
FINCHES, and a NORTHERN GOSHAWK.
Eighteen RED-NECKED GREBES and 5 HORNED GREBES were at Pemaquid Point.
A GOLDEN EAGLE, 30 BALD EAGLES, and a GLAUCOUS GULL were seen near Rockland
on March 11.
Lewiston-Auburn
Two TURKEY VULTURES were in Sabattus on March 11, while a NORTHERN SHRIKE
was in a field in Wales.
Kennebec River Valley
A HERMIT THRUSH was calling in the woods on Rod Road in Augusta on March 12,
and a WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL, BROWN CREEPER, and a FOX SPARROW were heard
earlier in the week.
Joining the COMMON GOLDENEYES and 2 BARROW’S GOLDENEYES at Fort Halifax in
Winslow on March 13 were 4 RING-NECKED DUCKS and 4 COMMON MERGANSERS.
A KILLDEER arrived in a hay field in Sidney on March 14.
In Fairfield, a SHORT-EARED OWL was hunting the gravel pit on the Green Road
through March 14. Two SNOW BUNTINGS were seen in the same area on March 13.
Elsewhere in Fairfield, a FOX SPARROW arrived at a feeder.
Twenty-five SNOW BUNTINGS made an appearance along the Russell Road in
Skowhegan on March 9.
Central Maine
Kenduskeag Avenue in downtown Bangor was visited by 50 CEDAR WAXWINGS, a
NORTHERN HARRIER, and a BALD EAGLE on March 9 while a male MERLIN was
perched and calling on Division Street on March 14.
NORTHERN SHRIKES were seen roadside on March 12 next to the railroad
crossing on Route 43 in Hudson and near the T intersection of Routes 43 and
11 in Exeter.
A BARRED OWL was sunning himself on the Kirkland Road in Old Town.
A SNOWY OWL continued at Veazieland Farm on the corner of Routes 43 and 11
and the White Road in Corinna, perching on the peak of the barn on March 12.
Penobscot Bay
Two BARROW’S GOLDENEYES were in Bar Harbor on March 8, while 150 PURPLE
SANDPIPERS were found on Bar Harbor Breakwater on March 11 with another 350
in spots along Ocean Drive.
A DOVEKIE and 2 sub-adult NORTHERN GANNETS were off Thunder Hole in Acadia
National Park, also on March 11.
An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was at feeders in Hulls Cove through at least March 8.
Washington County
In Calais, 3 BALD EAGLES were harassing gulls on ice on the St. Croix River,
PILEATED WOODPECKERS were courting in-town, and a NORTHERN SHRIKE, and 15
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were at the Calais Cemetery.
Elsewhere in Washington County, 8 – 10 COMMON REDPOLLS were foraging in
alders on the Middle Ground section of the Airline Road.
An EASTERN PHOEBE was heard singing in Talmadge on March 14.
Western Maine
WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were singing in Kezar Falls.
A light morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen at the base of Burnt Meadow
Mountain in Brownfield on March 13.
A SNOW GOOSE was in field across from Weston's beach on Route 113 in
Fryeburg along with 41 Canada Geese.
Sightings in Wilton included NORTHERN SAW-WHET and BARRED OWLS, plus 10
EVENING GROSBEAKS.
At least a thousand WHITE-WING CROSSBILLS were seen on the Golden in Baxter
State Park on March 9. Other highlights on March 9 and 10 included 10 RED
CROSSBILLS, 200 PINE SISKINS, 2 BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS at mile 13.5, at
least 50 PURPLE FINCHES, a GRAY JAY, 2 RUFFED GROUSE, and 10 COMMON RAVENS.
Aroostook County
PURPLE FINCHES, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, and SNOW BUNTINGS were reported in
Presque Isle.
A few SNOW BUNTINGS, 7 PURPLE FINCHES, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS and a HORNED
LARK were seen in Houlton.
Five WILD TURKEYS were spotted in Monticello.
Six SNOW BUNTINGS were in Frenchville on March 10.
www.maineaudubon.org
Maine Audubon Connects People with Nature.