Maine RBA - November 6, 2009

[Eric Hynes]

Name: Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert
Reporting Period: October 31 - November 6, 2009
Area: State of Maine
Compiler: Eric Hynes

Of Special Note

Top birds this week are: PINK-FOOTED GOOSE, CACKLING GOOSE, GREAT GRAY OWL, and BLUE GROSBEAK.

Other noteworthy species mentioned below are: REDHEAD, BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, RUDDY DUCK, NORTHERN GOSHAWK, PEREGRINE FALCON, SANDHILL CRANE, WESTERN SANDPIPER, BOHEMIAN WAXWING, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, LARK SPARROW, and BALTIMORE ORIOLE.

HARLEQUIN DUCKS are increasing along the coast and diving ducks in general are on the move.  Widespread reports of SNOW BUNTINGS continue.  FOX, "Ipswich" SAVANNAH SPARROWS, and an increasing number of AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS are migrating.

A great new image of all three Pink-footed Geese and the Blue Grosbeak have been added to the RBA slideshow at: http://www.maineaudubon.org/nature/birdalert_gallery.php

York County

A WESTERN SANDPIPER and four WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS were among a number of DUNLIN on Fortunes Rocks Beach in Biddeford on November 6.

A SANDHILL CRANE stood in a cornfield along Route 5 in Saco on November 1, approximately 1 mile east of Smutty Lane.

Greater Portland

Despite the dwindling Canada geese numbers and more wintry weather, three PINK-FOOTED GEESE continue to feed in fields straddling the towns of Falmouth, Cumberland, North Yarmouth, and Yarmouth through November 6. Their pattern seems to be changing so checking a number of locations may be necessary. Scan the fields of Thornhurst Farm on Rt. 115 in North Yarmouth.  The fields of Thornhurst Farm are on your right as you are heading out of Yarmouth. Pulling over along Rt. 115 is treacherous so proceed with caution.  Entering the farm fields is trespassing.  Safe parking areas are found at Toots Ice Cream just off Rt. 115 and at Prince Well Road.  The Greely Road site can be reached by taking a left off Route 115 just past Prince Well Road onto Doughty Road.  Turn left again when Doughty Road reaches Greely Road.  Proceed approximately a half mile to 198 Greely Road on the right.  Mostly recently they seem to be developing a new pattern.  Check the field on Winn Road near the Falmouth/Cumberland town line, directly across from the entrance to the Falmouth Country Club. This field is best viewed from the start of Muirfield Road.  Also check the fields and pond of Idleknot Farm on Woodville Road which is off of Winn Road in Falmouth.

A CACKLING GOOSE continues to be found sporadically as well among the flocks at Thornhurst Farm.  

Two AMERICAN COOTS were on Grondin Pond in Scarborough on November 5.  The best viewing of Grondin Pond is from the cul-de-sac at the end of Woodview Drive.  From Black Point Road, take Fogg Road to reach Woodview Drive.

A LARK SPARROW continues in the shrubs and at the feeders on Fessenden Road in Cape Elizabeth and around the corner at Kettle Cove.  An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was found in the shrubs at Kettle Cove on November 1.

 A few GREAT EGRETS remain with reports from Scarborough Marsh and the mouth of the Presumpscot River this week.

Lewiston-Auburn

A BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was the standout among the waterfowl concentrations at Sabattus Pond in Sabattus on November 3.  RUDDY DUCKS and both SCAUP species continue.

Kennebec River Valley (Augusta-Waterville)

An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, a NORTHERN GOSHAWK, and the lingering hen AMERICAN WIGEON were found at the Pine Tree State Arboretum in Augusta on the 1st.

Midcoast

Two PEREGRINE FALCONS put on a show at Popham Beach State Park in Phippsburg on November 6.  Two lingering SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS were on the beach also.

On November 3, a male BLUE GROSBEAK was photographed at the end of Bayshore Road in North Bath (past Hawkes Farm).

A late BALTIMORE ORIOLE visited feeders on November 2 at a home in Phippsburg.

Penobscot Bay

A PEREGRINE FALCON was chasing pigeons in Rockport Harbor on November 3.

An impressive assemblage of waterbirds was found in Fort Point Cove in Stockton Springs on November 3.  As viewed from Cape Jellison Road, the standouts were 74 RED-NECKED GREBES, 12 GREATER SCAUP, and 162 RUDDY DUCKS.

Western Mountains

A GREAT GRAY OWL was spotted at an undisclosed location off Route 16 in Rangeley on November 5.

Northern Maine

Last week, BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were heard passing over the University of Maine's Presque Isle campus.

Five LONG-TAILED DUCKS and two REDHEADS were seen at Lake Josephine in Easton on November 3.

Eric Hynes
Gilsland Farm Naturalist / 
Adult Education Program Coordinator
Maine Audubon
20 Gilsland Farm Road
Falmouth, ME 04105
207-781-2330 ext. 237
ehynes@...
www.maineaudubon.org

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