Name: Maine Audubon Bird Alert
Date: April 27, 2007
Area: State of Maine
Number: (207) 781-2332
Compilers: Eric Hynes, Kay Gammons
Transcriber: Maine Audubon (birdalert@maineaudubon.org)
Of Special Note
The arrival of BROAD-WINGED HAWKS marked a significant increase in hawk
migration with 1019 raptors counted at the Bradbury Mountain Hawkwatch
this past week.
Last weekend’s weather seemed to create ideal migration conditions as
several species arrived en masse. Species reported widely include HERMIT
THRUSH, PALM WARBLER, PINE WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, WHITE-THROATED
SPARROW, and NORTHERN FLICKER. OSPREY returned to nesting sites state-
wide.
Among the new arrivals this week were BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, LEAST
SANDPIPER, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED and BARN
SWALLOWS, BROWN THRASHER, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, BLACK-
THROATED GREEN WARBLER, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, NORTHERN PARULA, and EASTERN
TOWHEE.
Rare birds included a PURPLE GALLINULE in Kennebunkport, a BLUE-WINGED
WARBLER in Falmouth, a BLUE GROSBEAK on North Haven, a SANDHILL CRANE in
Sedgwick, and a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL in Caribou.
York County
A PURPLE GALLINULE was found in a weakened state on the sidewalk along
Ocean Avenue in Kennebunkport on April 20. It was taken to The Center for
Wildlife in York for rehabilitation and is responding well to treatment.
A BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER was singing at the Rachel Carson National
Wildlife Refuge on April 25.
Biddeford Pool reports included ATLANTIC BRANT, BLUE WINGED and GREEN-
WINGED TEAL, a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, a MERLIN, BROWN THRASHERS, a
WINTER WREN, and TREE, BARN and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS.
A pair of CANVASBACKS on the Saco River were seen from Laurel Hill
Cemetery on April 23.
Scarborough Marsh
Waterbirds at the marsh included 8 GREAT EGRETS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 3 pair
of GADWALL, and 3 WOOD DUCKS behind the Pelreco Building.
Shorebirds included WILLETS and both GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS.
SAVANNAH SPARROWS were heard from several locations at both Scarborough
and Spurwink marshes.
Greater Portland
Five PIPING PLOVERS were seen on Higgins Beach.
Evergreen Cemetery in Portland on April 23 hosted a nice fallout of
migrants with several hundred WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, at least 12
CHIPPING SPARROWS, 14+ NORTHERN FLICKERS, a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER,
BROWN THRASHERS, 12+ RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, 5 HERMIT THRUSHES, a PINE
WARBLER, 10+ YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, and 6 PALM WARBLERS observed. Seen
later in the week at Evergreen were a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, a BROWN
CREEPER, a WINTER WREN, a BLUE-HEADED VIREO, several BLACK-AND-WHITE
WARBLERS, a RUSTY BLACKBIRD, and a FISH CROW.
Elsewhere in Portland, a LITTLE BLUE HERON was at Capisic Pond on April 23.
A BLUE-WINGED WARBLER was seen in a Falmouth yard on April 23, while 2
EASTERN TOWHEES were found scratching in the leaves near the feeders at
Gilsland Farm in Falmouth on April 25.
A singing NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH returned to a traditional territory in Gray
on April 24 and was heard again the next day.
The Bradbury Mountain Hawkwatch in Freeport tallied 1019 raptors of 11
species from April 20 through April 26 with 151 OSPREY, a BALD EAGLE, 16
NORTHERN HARRIERS, 226 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 2 COOPER’S HAWKS, 3 RED-
SHOULDERED HAWKS, 474 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, 4 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 128 AMERICAN
KESTRELS, 11 MERLIN, and 3 unidentified raptors.
A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER visited a suet feeder in Gorham on April 23.
Eight OSPREY and 2 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS passed overhead at Baker Mountain in
Windham on April 21.
Midcoast
Birds on Monhegan Island reflected the migration on the mid-coast with
reports of numerous NORTHERN FLICKERS, 2 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS, PALM,
PINE and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, HERMIT THRUSH, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS,
WINTER WRENS, EASTERN TOWHEE, AMERICAN KESTREL, and 6 species of sparrows
including FIELD, CHIPPING and WHITE-THROATED. Birds on Monhegan not
reported elsewhere were a YELLOW WARBLER and 2 GRAY CATBIRDS.
Three SNOWY EGRETS were at Buttermilk Cove in Brunswick on April 23.
A temporarily flooded field on Ridge Road in Bath yielded 25 WILSON’S
SNIPE, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, KILLDEER, plus GREEN-WINGED and BLUE-WINGED
TEAL while a FIELD SPARROW sang nearby. At Butler Head there was a
singing WINTER WREN.
SWAMP SPARROWS were singing along Rt. 197 at the Magotty Meadow Marsh in
Bowdoin on April 26.
Twenty-six VESPER SPARROWS, 2 EASTERN TOWHEE, a BROWN THRASHER, and a
HORNED LARK were found on the Clarry Hill Barrens in Union on April 26.
A BLUE GROSBEAK was reported visiting a feeder on North Shore Road on
North Haven on April 24.
An early LEAST SANDPIPER was at Weskeag Marsh in Rockland on April 26,
while 15 LAUGHING GULLS were at the boat launch in Weskeag Village.
A FISH CROW was at the Samoset in Rockport.
Kennebec Valley
Typifying migration in the Kennebec Valley, sightings from Dennis Hill in
Litchfield included SAVANNAH, CHIPPING, WHITE-THROATED and SWAMP SPARROWS,
HERMIT THRUSH, YELLOW-RUMPED, PINE, PALM and BLACK-THROATED-GREEN
WARBLERS, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, WINTER WREN, and YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER.
A pair of EVENING GROSBEAKS visited feeders at 12 Willow Street in
Gardiner on April 21 while 3 EVENING GROSBEAKS flew over Dennis Hill on
April 26.
Messalonskee Lake provided an inland record of a female COMMON EIDER and
an ICELAND GULL on April 22. Also seen were a SORA and 6 other species of
ducks including several GREATER SCAUP.
A NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW was foraging in downtown Oakland.
Belgrade reports included a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, a WILSON’S SNIPE, BARN
SWALLOWS, and PINE WARBLERS.
Central Maine
A NORTHERN PARULA was in Bangor Gardens and the MERLIN pair has been very
active in the area of Jefferson St/ Kenduskeag Avenue in Bangor.
A male RING-NECKED PHEASANT was seen beside Route 2 just east of New
Sharon on April 21.
A BROWN THRASHER was in Dexter on April 26.
Penobscot Bay
A SANDHILLL CRANE was photographed in Great Meadow from Hales Hill Road
and Rt. 172 in Sedgwick on April 23.
Also in Sedgwick were 7 species of sparrows including VESPER, FIELD and
FOX SPARROWS, a NORTHERN FLICKER, a WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL, and 2 EVENING
GROSBEAKS.
Downeast Coast
Birds on Petit Manan Point on April 21 included 21 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, a
PIPING PLOVER, 3 HERMIT THRUSHES, 7 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, 3 PALM
WARBLERS, and 2 SAVANNAH SPARROWS. Signs of a possible BLACK-BACKED
WOODPECKER were observed along the Shore Trail.
With strong onshore winds, Schoodic Point observations following the
April 16 storm included 4 HARLEQUIN DUCKS, 23 BLACK SCOTERS, 19 ADULT
NORTHERN GANNETS, 18 RAZORBILLS, 6 RED-NECKED GREBE, and 33 COMMON LOONS.
Over 125 AMERICAN WOODCOCK were detected from Route 1 between Machias and
Columbia Falls. In addition 5 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS and a GREAT-HORNED
OWL in Jonesboro. A NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL and a BARRED OWL were heard in
Columbia Falls.
Washington County
A MERLIN was vocalizing at Hot Brook Lake in Danforth in northern-most
Washington County on April 20.
Western Maine
Species reported in Anson included BROAD-WINGED HAWK, EVENING GROSBEAK,
BROWN THRASHER, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, NORTHERN FLICKER,
CHIPPING and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, nesting EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, and TREE
and BARN SWALLOWS.
Numerous COMMON MERGANSERS and DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS dominated the
waterfowl found on the Piscataquis River in Dover-Foxcroft while pairs of
RING-NECKED DUCK and HOODED MERGANSER plied the swamp.
With snow cover exceeding two feet still, the few patches of open ground
in Rangeley Plantation are being worked intensely by AMERICAN ROBINS,
sparrow species and NORTHERN FLICKERS. Rangeley Lake was still frozen
except near inlets where a COMMON LOON was seen on April 24. Five TURKEY
VULTURES were in trees near the Greenvale Cove and a BROAD-WINGED HAWK was
also seen in the area.
Aroostook County
Arriving species included YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER in Limestone and
Woodland. Both TREE and BARN SWALLOWS were in Bancroft. EASTERN PHOEBES
were in Caribou, Mapleton and Woodland. WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were in
Caribou and Woodland. A BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD was in New Sweden. A BLUE-
HEADED VIREO was in Bancrof. An AMERICAN KESTREL was in Ft. Kent.
SNOW GEESE were first spotted flying high over Portage Lake on April 21
and 1000+ birds were reported from the St John River flats in Grand Isle
on the April 23.
Other arriving waterfowl included an AMERICAN WIGEON at the Robinson
Millpond in Blaine. GREEN-WINGED TEAL were at Collins Pond in Caribou.
Four NORTHERN PINTAILS were in Limestone. A NORTHERN SHOVELER was at Lake
Josephine in Easton.
A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL continued to be seen at Collins Pond in Caribou
most mornings, while a pair of PIED-BILLED GREBES was on the ice-choked
Aroostook River in Caribou on April 21.
GREAT BLUE HERONS were seen at Bridgewater, Limestone, and Washburn.
Arriving WILSON'S SNIPE were observed in Washburn, Limestone, and at
Christina Reservoir in Fort Fairfield, while AMERICAN WOODCOCK are being
heard in Limestone and Houlton.
Happening this weekend at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth:
Workshop: Feather Identification
Whether you're an advanced birder or a new admirer of our feathered
friends, this workshop may forever change the way you look at birds. Take
on the role of a forensic ornithologist —a feather detective—and
investigate the mysteries of feathers found in the field.
As an experienced and passionate animal tracker, instructor Laura
Sebastianelli has come to know birds in a different way than most birders
do.
Saturday, April 28
Noon–2:30 p.m.
$20/member, $25/nonmember
Date: April 27, 2007
Area: State of Maine
Number: (207) 781-2332
Compilers: Eric Hynes, Kay Gammons
Transcriber: Maine Audubon (birdalert@maineaudubon.org)
Of Special Note
The arrival of BROAD-WINGED HAWKS marked a significant increase in hawk
migration with 1019 raptors counted at the Bradbury Mountain Hawkwatch
this past week.
Last weekend’s weather seemed to create ideal migration conditions as
several species arrived en masse. Species reported widely include HERMIT
THRUSH, PALM WARBLER, PINE WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, WHITE-THROATED
SPARROW, and NORTHERN FLICKER. OSPREY returned to nesting sites state-
wide.
Among the new arrivals this week were BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, LEAST
SANDPIPER, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED and BARN
SWALLOWS, BROWN THRASHER, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, BLACK-
THROATED GREEN WARBLER, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, NORTHERN PARULA, and EASTERN
TOWHEE.
Rare birds included a PURPLE GALLINULE in Kennebunkport, a BLUE-WINGED
WARBLER in Falmouth, a BLUE GROSBEAK on North Haven, a SANDHILL CRANE in
Sedgwick, and a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL in Caribou.
York County
A PURPLE GALLINULE was found in a weakened state on the sidewalk along
Ocean Avenue in Kennebunkport on April 20. It was taken to The Center for
Wildlife in York for rehabilitation and is responding well to treatment.
A BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER was singing at the Rachel Carson National
Wildlife Refuge on April 25.
Biddeford Pool reports included ATLANTIC BRANT, BLUE WINGED and GREEN-
WINGED TEAL, a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, a MERLIN, BROWN THRASHERS, a
WINTER WREN, and TREE, BARN and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS.
A pair of CANVASBACKS on the Saco River were seen from Laurel Hill
Cemetery on April 23.
Scarborough Marsh
Waterbirds at the marsh included 8 GREAT EGRETS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 3 pair
of GADWALL, and 3 WOOD DUCKS behind the Pelreco Building.
Shorebirds included WILLETS and both GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS.
SAVANNAH SPARROWS were heard from several locations at both Scarborough
and Spurwink marshes.
Greater Portland
Five PIPING PLOVERS were seen on Higgins Beach.
Evergreen Cemetery in Portland on April 23 hosted a nice fallout of
migrants with several hundred WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, at least 12
CHIPPING SPARROWS, 14+ NORTHERN FLICKERS, a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER,
BROWN THRASHERS, 12+ RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, 5 HERMIT THRUSHES, a PINE
WARBLER, 10+ YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, and 6 PALM WARBLERS observed. Seen
later in the week at Evergreen were a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, a BROWN
CREEPER, a WINTER WREN, a BLUE-HEADED VIREO, several BLACK-AND-WHITE
WARBLERS, a RUSTY BLACKBIRD, and a FISH CROW.
Elsewhere in Portland, a LITTLE BLUE HERON was at Capisic Pond on April 23.
A BLUE-WINGED WARBLER was seen in a Falmouth yard on April 23, while 2
EASTERN TOWHEES were found scratching in the leaves near the feeders at
Gilsland Farm in Falmouth on April 25.
A singing NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH returned to a traditional territory in Gray
on April 24 and was heard again the next day.
The Bradbury Mountain Hawkwatch in Freeport tallied 1019 raptors of 11
species from April 20 through April 26 with 151 OSPREY, a BALD EAGLE, 16
NORTHERN HARRIERS, 226 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 2 COOPER’S HAWKS, 3 RED-
SHOULDERED HAWKS, 474 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, 4 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 128 AMERICAN
KESTRELS, 11 MERLIN, and 3 unidentified raptors.
A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER visited a suet feeder in Gorham on April 23.
Eight OSPREY and 2 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS passed overhead at Baker Mountain in
Windham on April 21.
Midcoast
Birds on Monhegan Island reflected the migration on the mid-coast with
reports of numerous NORTHERN FLICKERS, 2 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS, PALM,
PINE and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, HERMIT THRUSH, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS,
WINTER WRENS, EASTERN TOWHEE, AMERICAN KESTREL, and 6 species of sparrows
including FIELD, CHIPPING and WHITE-THROATED. Birds on Monhegan not
reported elsewhere were a YELLOW WARBLER and 2 GRAY CATBIRDS.
Three SNOWY EGRETS were at Buttermilk Cove in Brunswick on April 23.
A temporarily flooded field on Ridge Road in Bath yielded 25 WILSON’S
SNIPE, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, KILLDEER, plus GREEN-WINGED and BLUE-WINGED
TEAL while a FIELD SPARROW sang nearby. At Butler Head there was a
singing WINTER WREN.
SWAMP SPARROWS were singing along Rt. 197 at the Magotty Meadow Marsh in
Bowdoin on April 26.
Twenty-six VESPER SPARROWS, 2 EASTERN TOWHEE, a BROWN THRASHER, and a
HORNED LARK were found on the Clarry Hill Barrens in Union on April 26.
A BLUE GROSBEAK was reported visiting a feeder on North Shore Road on
North Haven on April 24.
An early LEAST SANDPIPER was at Weskeag Marsh in Rockland on April 26,
while 15 LAUGHING GULLS were at the boat launch in Weskeag Village.
A FISH CROW was at the Samoset in Rockport.
Kennebec Valley
Typifying migration in the Kennebec Valley, sightings from Dennis Hill in
Litchfield included SAVANNAH, CHIPPING, WHITE-THROATED and SWAMP SPARROWS,
HERMIT THRUSH, YELLOW-RUMPED, PINE, PALM and BLACK-THROATED-GREEN
WARBLERS, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, WINTER WREN, and YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER.
A pair of EVENING GROSBEAKS visited feeders at 12 Willow Street in
Gardiner on April 21 while 3 EVENING GROSBEAKS flew over Dennis Hill on
April 26.
Messalonskee Lake provided an inland record of a female COMMON EIDER and
an ICELAND GULL on April 22. Also seen were a SORA and 6 other species of
ducks including several GREATER SCAUP.
A NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW was foraging in downtown Oakland.
Belgrade reports included a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, a WILSON’S SNIPE, BARN
SWALLOWS, and PINE WARBLERS.
Central Maine
A NORTHERN PARULA was in Bangor Gardens and the MERLIN pair has been very
active in the area of Jefferson St/ Kenduskeag Avenue in Bangor.
A male RING-NECKED PHEASANT was seen beside Route 2 just east of New
Sharon on April 21.
A BROWN THRASHER was in Dexter on April 26.
Penobscot Bay
A SANDHILLL CRANE was photographed in Great Meadow from Hales Hill Road
and Rt. 172 in Sedgwick on April 23.
Also in Sedgwick were 7 species of sparrows including VESPER, FIELD and
FOX SPARROWS, a NORTHERN FLICKER, a WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL, and 2 EVENING
GROSBEAKS.
Downeast Coast
Birds on Petit Manan Point on April 21 included 21 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, a
PIPING PLOVER, 3 HERMIT THRUSHES, 7 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, 3 PALM
WARBLERS, and 2 SAVANNAH SPARROWS. Signs of a possible BLACK-BACKED
WOODPECKER were observed along the Shore Trail.
With strong onshore winds, Schoodic Point observations following the
April 16 storm included 4 HARLEQUIN DUCKS, 23 BLACK SCOTERS, 19 ADULT
NORTHERN GANNETS, 18 RAZORBILLS, 6 RED-NECKED GREBE, and 33 COMMON LOONS.
Over 125 AMERICAN WOODCOCK were detected from Route 1 between Machias and
Columbia Falls. In addition 5 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS and a GREAT-HORNED
OWL in Jonesboro. A NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL and a BARRED OWL were heard in
Columbia Falls.
Washington County
A MERLIN was vocalizing at Hot Brook Lake in Danforth in northern-most
Washington County on April 20.
Western Maine
Species reported in Anson included BROAD-WINGED HAWK, EVENING GROSBEAK,
BROWN THRASHER, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, NORTHERN FLICKER,
CHIPPING and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, nesting EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, and TREE
and BARN SWALLOWS.
Numerous COMMON MERGANSERS and DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS dominated the
waterfowl found on the Piscataquis River in Dover-Foxcroft while pairs of
RING-NECKED DUCK and HOODED MERGANSER plied the swamp.
With snow cover exceeding two feet still, the few patches of open ground
in Rangeley Plantation are being worked intensely by AMERICAN ROBINS,
sparrow species and NORTHERN FLICKERS. Rangeley Lake was still frozen
except near inlets where a COMMON LOON was seen on April 24. Five TURKEY
VULTURES were in trees near the Greenvale Cove and a BROAD-WINGED HAWK was
also seen in the area.
Aroostook County
Arriving species included YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER in Limestone and
Woodland. Both TREE and BARN SWALLOWS were in Bancroft. EASTERN PHOEBES
were in Caribou, Mapleton and Woodland. WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were in
Caribou and Woodland. A BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD was in New Sweden. A BLUE-
HEADED VIREO was in Bancrof. An AMERICAN KESTREL was in Ft. Kent.
SNOW GEESE were first spotted flying high over Portage Lake on April 21
and 1000+ birds were reported from the St John River flats in Grand Isle
on the April 23.
Other arriving waterfowl included an AMERICAN WIGEON at the Robinson
Millpond in Blaine. GREEN-WINGED TEAL were at Collins Pond in Caribou.
Four NORTHERN PINTAILS were in Limestone. A NORTHERN SHOVELER was at Lake
Josephine in Easton.
A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL continued to be seen at Collins Pond in Caribou
most mornings, while a pair of PIED-BILLED GREBES was on the ice-choked
Aroostook River in Caribou on April 21.
GREAT BLUE HERONS were seen at Bridgewater, Limestone, and Washburn.
Arriving WILSON'S SNIPE were observed in Washburn, Limestone, and at
Christina Reservoir in Fort Fairfield, while AMERICAN WOODCOCK are being
heard in Limestone and Houlton.
Happening this weekend at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth:
Workshop: Feather Identification
Whether you're an advanced birder or a new admirer of our feathered
friends, this workshop may forever change the way you look at birds. Take
on the role of a forensic ornithologist —a feather detective—and
investigate the mysteries of feathers found in the field.
As an experienced and passionate animal tracker, instructor Laura
Sebastianelli has come to know birds in a different way than most birders
do.
Saturday, April 28
Noon–2:30 p.m.
$20/member, $25/nonmember