- RBA
* Maine
* Southcoastal
* November 3, 2005
* MESC0511.03
- Species Mentioned:
**BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER**
*SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER*
*Boreal Chickadee*
Ring-necked Duck
Ruddy Duck
Peregrine Falcon
Spotted Sandpiper
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER
Northern Shrike
Carolina Wren
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
"Ipswich" Savannah Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Snow Bunting
Indigo Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
- Transcript:
Hotline: Southcoastal Maine Rare Bird Alert (Internet
Only).
Date: Thursday, November 3, 2005 compiled at: 4:00pm.
To report: (207) 846-8002, or birds@yarmouthbirds.com.
Coverage: York, Cumberland, and Sagadahoc Counties.
This is Derek Lovitch welcoming you to the
Southcoastal Maine Rare Bird Alert, sponsored by the
Wild Bird Center of Yarmouth at 500 Route One,
Yarmouth, Maine. All locations not found in A
Birder's Guide to Maine by Pierson, et al. are
referenced to the Delorme Maine Atlas. Transcripts of
current and past messages can be found at
www.yarmouthbirds.com.
Weather Summary: A weak surface low offshore produced
thick clouds but only a few sprinkles and flurries on
Saturday and Saturday night. Otherwise, calm or light
northwest winds, and at least partly clear skies
overnight all week facilitated the southbound push of
some of our last migrant passerines. Temperatures
soared to the mid to upper 60's on Sunday through
Tuesday (even reaching the low 70's in some places) on
southwesterly breezes and sunshine (it does exist!).
A few showers fell overnight as a weak cold front
passed early Wednesday morning, bringing our
temperatures back down to normal. Strong southwest
winds developed behind a warm front on Thursday -
wonder what rarity surprise this wind will bring! We
finished the month of October with 14.37 inches of
rain, the second wettest October on record, and well
above the monthly average of 3.94 inches!
A **BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER** was discovered at
Pond Cove in Cape Elizabeth. First observed on 10/29,
the bird was confirmed with photos by the initial
observer the next day, and was seen by many on 10/31
through 11/3. On 10/31, it was joined by a tardy
BLACKPOLL WARBLER - an interesting juxtaposition of
East verses West! A second Blackpoll joined the
festivities on 11/2. The birds are feeding on flies
emerging from the rotting wrack along the shore,
and/or flycatching from the scrubby vegetation that
borders the cove. A photograph of this apparent
immature male can be viewed at:
http://www.yarmouthbirds.com/maine_rarities.asp.
To reach the bird from Rte 77 at the village center of
Cape Elizabeth (labeled "Pond Cove" on Delorme Map 3:
A-5), take Shore Road towards Portland Head Light/Fort
Williams Park. Pond Cove is the first small inlet
that will be visible on the right, just off the road's
edge. Proceed for about 100 feet to a dirt parking
area on the left (the entrance to Robinson Woods).
The Robinson Woods parking area is also almost exactly
one mile south of the entrance to Fort Williams Park.
Birders on their way to see the warbler on the 31st
discovered a *SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER* in a field
opposite 162 Spurwink Road in Scarborough (Delorme Map
3: B-4). The bird was photographed, but soon took off
heading south, and has not been relocated.
Two *BOREAL CHICKADEES* were discovered on Ossippee
hill, Waterboro Center, York County (Delorme Map 2:
A-4) on 10/30. The birds were seen and heard 25 yards
south of McLucas Road on a gravel two-track that leads
to the summit fire and utility tower. No further
reports were received.
45 RUDDY DUCKS were tallied at the Sanford Sewage
Treatment Ponds on the 27th, with 40+ still there on
the 31st. 100+ RING-NECKED DUCKS were also tallied on
the 27th.
The PEREGRINE FALCON continues on the river between
Topsham and Brunswick.
A tardy SPOTTED SANDPIPER was at Hermit Island
(Delorme Map 6: E-4) on 10/29.
A few more RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS were reported this
week: a female in a South Freeport yard on the 28th,
another female in a Windham yard the same day, one in
a Harpswell yard on 10/30, one in Robinson Woods in
Cape Elizabeth on 10/31, and one continuing on
Cousin's Island in Yarmouth - both at Sandy Point
Beach and now also at a nearby feeding station.
A NORTHERN SHRIKE, the first of the season, was at
East Point Sanctuary in Biddeforf Pool on 10/30, while
an unidentified shrike that flew over Capisic Pond
Park in Portland on the 29th was likely that species
as well. Another Northern Shrike arrived at Village
Crossings, off of Scott Dyer Road in Cape Elizabeth
(Delorme Map 3: A-5) on 11/2.
The CAROLINA WREN continues to feast on mealworms at
the Wild Bird Center of Yarmouth and another visited a
Portland yard on 10/30 (Photo at:
http://www.yarmouthbirds.com/maine_rarities.asp)
A few lingering WARBLERS included: BLACKPOLLS at
Yarmouth's Bayview Preserve (off Bayview Rd, Delorme
Map 6: D-1) on the 28th and Fort Williams Park in Cape
Elizabeth on 10/31, a BLACK-THROATED BLUE in a
Georgetown yard 10/28-29, and a continuing WILSON'S at
Portland's Capisic Pond Park through 10/31.
Three SCARLET TANAGERS were still at Portland's
Evergreen Cemetery on 10/29.
Two "IPSWICH" SAVANNAH SPARROWS were behind Hattie's
Deli in Biddeford Pool on the 30th. Scattered FOX
SPARROWS were reported widely this week, as were very
large numbers of migrant DARK-EYED JUNCOS.
Flocks of up to 30+ SNOW BUNTINGS were noted from a
number of locations this week, while an INDIGO BUNTING
stopped by a Falmouth feeder on 10/29.
Single RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were noted at Pratt's Brook
Park in Yarmouth (off of North Rd, Delorme Map 5: D-5)
and Evergreen Cemetery, both on 10/29, while much
reduced numbers of COMMON GRACKLES and RED-WINGED
BLACKBIRDS continue here and there throughout the
area.
- End transcript
* Maine
* Southcoastal
* November 3, 2005
* MESC0511.03
- Species Mentioned:
**BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER**
*SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER*
*Boreal Chickadee*
Ring-necked Duck
Ruddy Duck
Peregrine Falcon
Spotted Sandpiper
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER
Northern Shrike
Carolina Wren
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
"Ipswich" Savannah Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Snow Bunting
Indigo Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
- Transcript:
Hotline: Southcoastal Maine Rare Bird Alert (Internet
Only).
Date: Thursday, November 3, 2005 compiled at: 4:00pm.
To report: (207) 846-8002, or birds@yarmouthbirds.com.
Coverage: York, Cumberland, and Sagadahoc Counties.
This is Derek Lovitch welcoming you to the
Southcoastal Maine Rare Bird Alert, sponsored by the
Wild Bird Center of Yarmouth at 500 Route One,
Yarmouth, Maine. All locations not found in A
Birder's Guide to Maine by Pierson, et al. are
referenced to the Delorme Maine Atlas. Transcripts of
current and past messages can be found at
www.yarmouthbirds.com.
Weather Summary: A weak surface low offshore produced
thick clouds but only a few sprinkles and flurries on
Saturday and Saturday night. Otherwise, calm or light
northwest winds, and at least partly clear skies
overnight all week facilitated the southbound push of
some of our last migrant passerines. Temperatures
soared to the mid to upper 60's on Sunday through
Tuesday (even reaching the low 70's in some places) on
southwesterly breezes and sunshine (it does exist!).
A few showers fell overnight as a weak cold front
passed early Wednesday morning, bringing our
temperatures back down to normal. Strong southwest
winds developed behind a warm front on Thursday -
wonder what rarity surprise this wind will bring! We
finished the month of October with 14.37 inches of
rain, the second wettest October on record, and well
above the monthly average of 3.94 inches!
A **BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER** was discovered at
Pond Cove in Cape Elizabeth. First observed on 10/29,
the bird was confirmed with photos by the initial
observer the next day, and was seen by many on 10/31
through 11/3. On 10/31, it was joined by a tardy
BLACKPOLL WARBLER - an interesting juxtaposition of
East verses West! A second Blackpoll joined the
festivities on 11/2. The birds are feeding on flies
emerging from the rotting wrack along the shore,
and/or flycatching from the scrubby vegetation that
borders the cove. A photograph of this apparent
immature male can be viewed at:
http://www.yarmouthbirds.com/maine_rarities.asp.
To reach the bird from Rte 77 at the village center of
Cape Elizabeth (labeled "Pond Cove" on Delorme Map 3:
A-5), take Shore Road towards Portland Head Light/Fort
Williams Park. Pond Cove is the first small inlet
that will be visible on the right, just off the road's
edge. Proceed for about 100 feet to a dirt parking
area on the left (the entrance to Robinson Woods).
The Robinson Woods parking area is also almost exactly
one mile south of the entrance to Fort Williams Park.
Birders on their way to see the warbler on the 31st
discovered a *SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER* in a field
opposite 162 Spurwink Road in Scarborough (Delorme Map
3: B-4). The bird was photographed, but soon took off
heading south, and has not been relocated.
Two *BOREAL CHICKADEES* were discovered on Ossippee
hill, Waterboro Center, York County (Delorme Map 2:
A-4) on 10/30. The birds were seen and heard 25 yards
south of McLucas Road on a gravel two-track that leads
to the summit fire and utility tower. No further
reports were received.
45 RUDDY DUCKS were tallied at the Sanford Sewage
Treatment Ponds on the 27th, with 40+ still there on
the 31st. 100+ RING-NECKED DUCKS were also tallied on
the 27th.
The PEREGRINE FALCON continues on the river between
Topsham and Brunswick.
A tardy SPOTTED SANDPIPER was at Hermit Island
(Delorme Map 6: E-4) on 10/29.
A few more RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS were reported this
week: a female in a South Freeport yard on the 28th,
another female in a Windham yard the same day, one in
a Harpswell yard on 10/30, one in Robinson Woods in
Cape Elizabeth on 10/31, and one continuing on
Cousin's Island in Yarmouth - both at Sandy Point
Beach and now also at a nearby feeding station.
A NORTHERN SHRIKE, the first of the season, was at
East Point Sanctuary in Biddeforf Pool on 10/30, while
an unidentified shrike that flew over Capisic Pond
Park in Portland on the 29th was likely that species
as well. Another Northern Shrike arrived at Village
Crossings, off of Scott Dyer Road in Cape Elizabeth
(Delorme Map 3: A-5) on 11/2.
The CAROLINA WREN continues to feast on mealworms at
the Wild Bird Center of Yarmouth and another visited a
Portland yard on 10/30 (Photo at:
http://www.yarmouthbirds.com/maine_rarities.asp)
A few lingering WARBLERS included: BLACKPOLLS at
Yarmouth's Bayview Preserve (off Bayview Rd, Delorme
Map 6: D-1) on the 28th and Fort Williams Park in Cape
Elizabeth on 10/31, a BLACK-THROATED BLUE in a
Georgetown yard 10/28-29, and a continuing WILSON'S at
Portland's Capisic Pond Park through 10/31.
Three SCARLET TANAGERS were still at Portland's
Evergreen Cemetery on 10/29.
Two "IPSWICH" SAVANNAH SPARROWS were behind Hattie's
Deli in Biddeford Pool on the 30th. Scattered FOX
SPARROWS were reported widely this week, as were very
large numbers of migrant DARK-EYED JUNCOS.
Flocks of up to 30+ SNOW BUNTINGS were noted from a
number of locations this week, while an INDIGO BUNTING
stopped by a Falmouth feeder on 10/29.
Single RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were noted at Pratt's Brook
Park in Yarmouth (off of North Rd, Delorme Map 5: D-5)
and Evergreen Cemetery, both on 10/29, while much
reduced numbers of COMMON GRACKLES and RED-WINGED
BLACKBIRDS continue here and there throughout the
area.
- End transcript