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Field Guides Tour Report
Maine: Birding Downeast 2014
May 31, 2014 to Jun 8, 2014
Eric Hynes


Andrea pointed out perhaps THE bonus bird of the tour: Spruce Grouse. This gorgeous female stepped right out in the open for us on Mount Washington just after we finished high-fiving over the outstanding view of Bicknell's Thrush. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)

I am comfortable declaring our maiden voyage of the "Maine: Birding Downeast" tour a smashing success. Any tour where the voting for three favorite birds of the tour is so wide-reaching that the top vote-getter only received three votes is special. There was a lot to like and get excited about during our week of birding together. In fact there were five species tied for runner-up. The weather gods were merciful, and the only wet weather we saw was on a travel day, so no complaints there. Even our day on the water was met with comfortable seas and clear skies.

We got to know each other the first night while enjoying lobster rolls and a seawatch at Dyer Point in Cape Elizabeth. Our first full day together covered the coast from Scarborough Marsh down to Biddeford Pool and Kennebunkport. Day Two began at Kennebunk Plains predawn, but it was so worth it. After picking up a few species in Portland parks, we made our way "downeast" to Bar Harbor. A morning birdwalk at Sieur de Monts Spring in Acadia National Park started Day Three, then we spent the remainder of the day on the waters of the Gulf of Maine scoring many seabirds at Petit Manan.

Day Four's birding covered another section of Acadia National Park (Park Loop to Otter Point) before we made the long haul up to Rangeley via Belgrade and Messalonskee Lake. Once nestled in the western mountains, we spent Day Five exploring boreal habitat and racking up a whole host of new species. Our penultimate day started in Rangeley cleaning up species in the northern forest as we tracked west into New Hampshire. And our finale began on the impressive Auto Road up Mount Washington. We picked up a few more species at Brownfield Bog en route back to Portland. My friend Jason prepared some serious culinary delights at his special restaurant (The Well at Jordan's Farm) to end the tour.

Some of the more memorable experiences on our adventure have to be: the mouselike sparrows of Scarborough Marsh, the chorus of Eastern Whip-poor-wills plus the great looks at two predawn at Kennebunk Plains; being surrounded by Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, and Arctic Terns on our boat trip; the sublime coastal views of Acadia National Park; Grays Jays on hand (literally); glowing Blackburnian Warblers and all their relatives; Common Loons serenading us a stone's toss away from our picnic lunch in the western mountains; Bicknell's Thrush popping into plain sight in the sea of spruce on Mt. Washington; the female Spruce Grouse who came to us; and the displaying Wilson's Snipe winnowing overhead!

It was truly a pleasure sharing a place near and dear to my heart with all of you. I hope you had as much fun as I did on this tour. I look forward to sharing more birding adventures with all of you.

Sincerely,

Eric


KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant


BIRDS
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
CANADA GOOSE (Branta canadensis) – Seen more days than not, including some pairs with goslings
WOOD DUCK (Aix sponsa) – We flushed a drake at Capisic Pond but the wetland along the I295 off-ramp held two pairs
AMERICAN BLACK DUCK (Anas rubripes) – Our first good look was just beyond the cattails at Capisic Pond


The three Common Loons diving and calling just beyond the dock at our lunch stop in the western mountains were something special. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)

MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos) – More days than not
COMMON EIDER (ATLANTIC) (Somateria mollissima dresseri) – Great looks at most coastal locations
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER (NORTH AMERICAN) (Melanitta fusca deglandi) – We saw late migrants pass Dyer Point the first evening, and we had a few on the water the next day at East Point Sanctuary.
BLACK SCOTER (Melanitta americana) – Small flocks were spotted at several coastal locations
HOODED MERGANSER (Lophodytes cucullatus) – Joanne picked out three hens at the Bemis Road pond.
COMMON MERGANSER (Mergus merganser) – On lakes and rivers in the western mountains
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
RUFFED GROUSE (Bonasa umbellus) – We heard drumming at Rangeley Lake State Park and saw an abandoned nest off Boy Scout Road [*]
SPRUCE GROUSE (Falcipennis canadensis) – Andrea drew our attention to the bird and Joanne made us all aware that the females come in two morphs. In this case, the hen was clearly the reddish morph.
WILD TURKEY (Meleagris gallopavo) – Scattered sightings throughout the tour
Gaviidae (Loons)
RED-THROATED LOON (Gavia stellata) – An immature bird was off Otter Point in Acadia National Park.
COMMON LOON (Gavia immer) – Who could forget the calling and diving birds at our picnic lunch at Upper Richardson Lake?!
Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)
NORTHERN GANNET (Morus bassanus) – One of the few seabirds we observed away from Petit Manan
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax auritus) – Plenty along the coast
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)


To describe the Gray Jays we encountered outside of Rangeley as cooperative would be a significant understatement. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)

AMERICAN BITTERN (Botaurus lentiginosus) – We heard one briefly display several times along the Kennebago River floodplain [*]
GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias) – Several seen at the beginning of the tour
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba) – Coastal marshes
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula) – Great looks at Scarborough Marsh
LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea) – The very last species detected for the tour -- a fly over en route to our farewell dinner
TRICOLORED HERON (Egretta tricolor) – This species reaches the northern edge of its range in Maine.
GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens) – Great looks at birds in flight at the "skating rink"
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax) – A roosting adult tried to hide in the trees over the water at Capisic Pond
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus) – Several sightings at Scarborough Marsh
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura) – Almost an everyday bird
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) – The utility poles along I95 support many nests
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
COOPER'S HAWK (Accipiter cooperii) – The adult carrying a prey item while grackles and blackbirds scolded was a dramatic start to the tour.
BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) – We only saw a few but there are over 600 nesting pairs in the state now. It's great to see them recovering so well.
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (Buteo platypterus) – The most commonly encountered raptor on this tour
RED-TAILED HAWK (Buteo jamaicensis) – A few here and there
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) – Lots of subadult birds lingering at Biddeford Pool and Scarborough Marsh
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (Charadrius semipalmatus) – On the mudflats at Pine Point
PIPING PLOVER (Charadrius melodus) – We saw an individual very well at Goose Rocks but the habitat has changed dramatically there.
KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus) – It was nice to have them calling and flying around at Jordan's Farm
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)


We had some wonderful views of the "Eastern" Willets breeding in the coastal saltmarshes. It was a great chance to study their more compact structure and heavy markings. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)

WILLET (EASTERN) (Tringa semipalmata semipalmata) – We heard and saw this subspecies well in the coastal saltmarshes.
UPLAND SANDPIPER (Bartramia longicauda) – We really had to work to find this species at Kennebunk Plains.
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres) – Some gorgeous breeding plumage birds were around Biddeford Pool
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (Calidris pusilla) – Still no word on that flag tagged bird we saw at Pine Point
WILSON'S SNIPE (Gallinago delicata) – Being mesmerized (and getting a little dizzy!) by the male winnowing overhead at Brownfield Bog was definitely a tour highlight.
AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) – We heard a few "peent" calls at Kennebunk Plains at dawn. [*]
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE (Phalaropus lobatus) – After a long stretch of seeing no seabirds, we got a great look at multiple flocks of this remarkable shorebird around Mount Desert Rock.
Stercorariidae (Skuas and Jaegers)
PARASITIC JAEGER (Stercorarius parasiticus) – Only a few folks out on the bow caught this fly by en route to Mount Desert Rock
Alcidae (Auks, Murres, and Puffins)
COMMON MURRE (Uria aalge) – We teased out one chocolate alcid out of the puffins and Razorbills bobbing in the water at Petit Manan.
RAZORBILL (Alca torda) – We had plenty of good looks at this handsome seabird on our boat trip.
BLACK GUILLEMOT (Cepphus grylle) – Those cherry red feet are something else
ATLANTIC PUFFIN (Fratercula arctica) – A primary target for many of you on the tour and we saw them very well at Petit Manan
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)


Participant Bob Reed shared this lovely image of the lighthouse on Wood Island off Maine Audubon's East Point Sanctuary in Biddeford.

BONAPARTE'S GULL (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) – A few non-breeders around at Pine Point
LAUGHING GULL (Leucophaeus atricilla) – This species has expanded its range and now breeds in big numbers in the Gulf of Maine.
RING-BILLED GULL (Larus delawarensis) – Nearly absent from the coast this time of year, Ring-billed Gulls head inland to breed on lakes like Rangeley Lake.
HERRING GULL (AMERICAN) (Larus argentatus smithsonianus) – There are some seriously worn immature birds along the coast this time of year
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus marinus) – Common along the coast
BLACK TERN (Chlidonias niger) – It was a treat to study these graceful flyers at Messalonskee Lake
ROSEATE TERN (Sterna dougallii) – We teased out a few from the large flock of Common Terns, mostly by flight pattern, at Biddeford Pool
COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo) – Numerous near their breeding colonies
ARCTIC TERN (Sterna paradisaea) – Good looks at Petit Manan
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Yep [I]
MOURNING DOVE (Zenaida macroura) – Made the everyday bird list
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
EASTERN WHIP-POOR-WILL (Antrostomus vociferus) – Not only did we hear this nightjar well, we found two individuals by flashlight thanks to their incredible eyeshine.
Apodidae (Swifts)
CHIMNEY SWIFT (Chaetura pelagica) – More days than not
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)


Remember how obliging this male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was along South Shore Road in Rangeley? (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (Archilochus colubris) – More days than not
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
BELTED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle alcyon) – Surprisingly hard to come by but we saw a few
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus varius) – The roadside male on South Shore Road in Rangeley was ridiculously obliging.
DOWNY WOODPECKER (Picoides pubescens) – Rather inconspicuous right now while nesting
HAIRY WOODPECKER (Picoides villosus) – One of the species particularly irritated by my Barred Owl imitations
BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER (Picoides arcticus) – It makes the list but as a "BVD" = better view desired. We saw plenty of trees with scaling, heard one calling, saw one fly over, and had another drumming in the distance but we never got that point-blank look.
NORTHERN FLICKER (YELLOW-SHAFTED) (Colaptes auratus luteus) – A few here and there; heard more than we saw
PILEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus pileatus) – We had our best luck with Pileateds in the Acadia region
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius) – Bob saves the day at Brownfield Bog; this would have been a painful miss
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) – The fog parted long enough for us all to get quick scope views at Precipice in Acadia NP
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (Contopus cooperi) – That bird at the end of Boy Scout Road sang and sang and sang
EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE (Contopus virens) – We heard several along the way but the only place we laid eyes on one was Evergreen Cemetery
YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Empidonax flaviventris) – We found these guys in bogs in the Rangeley region as well as at elevation on Mount Washington
ALDER FLYCATCHER (Empidonax alnorum) – The most common Empid of our adventure
WILLOW FLYCATCHER (Empidonax traillii) – One of the last species we picked up on the tour. A pair was right where they were supposed to be in Brownfield Bog.
LEAST FLYCATCHER (Empidonax minimus) – We found our first west of Rangeley but our best looks were at Brownfield Bog
EASTERN PHOEBE (Sayornis phoebe) – Encountered more days than not
GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus crinitus) – We had good looks at Evergreen Cemetery high up in the canopy of this cavity nesting flycatcher.


We couldn't have asked for a better performance than we received from this remarkably accommodating Philadelphia Vireo. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)

EASTERN KINGBIRD (Tyrannus tyrannus) – More days than not
Vireonidae (Vireos)
YELLOW-THROATED VIREO (Vireo flavifrons) – One of our targets at Brownfield Bog and there was a singing bird there to greet us in the parking area
BLUE-HEADED VIREO (Vireo solitarius) – Our best looks were in the Rangeley region
WARBLING VIREO (Vireo gilvus) – We had great looks at the vireo with the teddy bear face in Portland at Capisic Pond Park.
PHILADELPHIA VIREO (Vireo philadelphicus) – Wow, what a response/cooperative bird at Grafton Notch State Park! I think this is one of North America's finest subtle beauties.
RED-EYED VIREO (Vireo olivaceus) – Did you hear enough?
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
GRAY JAY (Perisoreus canadensis) – It is not hard to imagine how they got the nickname "camp robber" given how attentive they were to us.
BLUE JAY (Cyanocitta cristata) – Almost an everyday bird
AMERICAN CROW (Corvus brachyrhynchos) – An everyday bird
FISH CROW (Corvus ossifragus) – The first bird I pointed out on this tour. It is a rare breeder in Maine at the edge of its range. Lucky for us, there was a pair around our hotel.
COMMON RAVEN (Corvus corax) – We had them in the mountains but not many
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
PURPLE MARTIN (Progne subis) – A few individuals around the colony in Belgrade and at the houses after leaving Brownfield Bog
TREE SWALLOW (Tachycineta bicolor) – Seen most days of the tour
BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia) – We had a few at the colony in Belgrade but not many; likely weather related
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – Plenty of good looks at this beauty
CLIFF SWALLOW (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) – A few overhead in Scarborough at the colony behind the Pelreco building
Paridae (Chickadees and Tits)


What a treat to hear "quick - Free Beer" over and over again from an Olive-sided Flycatcher at the end of the Boy Scout Road. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)

BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE (Poecile atricapillus) – Maine's state bird
BOREAL CHICKADEE (Poecile hudsonicus) – We had maybe a half dozen encounters which is better than average; a few individuals came in too close to focus
TUFTED TITMOUSE (Baeolophus bicolor) – Evergreen Cemetery
Sittidae (Nuthatches)
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta canadensis) – We picked them up in the conifers of the northern forest
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta carolinensis) – Only in the hardwoods in southern Maine
Certhiidae (Treecreepers)
BROWN CREEPER (Certhia americana) – One of my favorite songs. These delightful little birds were most cooperative along the boardwalk at Sieur de Monts Spring in Acadia National Park.
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon) – Heard more than seen in southern Maine
WINTER WREN (Troglodytes hiemalis hiemalis) – We had several birds sing maddeningly close to us but we only got a couple of views -- what a song though
MARSH WREN (Cistothorus palustris) – At Scarborough Marsh
Regulidae (Kinglets)
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET (Regulus satrapa) – Commonly heard and a few seen in the north woods
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET (Regulus calendula) – These guys were pretty quite in the northern forest -- no doubt they were well into the nesting process and keeping a low profile.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)


In a rare moment of verticality, this Atlantic Puffin "stood up" to stretch its wings. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)

EASTERN BLUEBIRD (Sialia sialis) – They were about an every other day species
VEERY (Catharus fuscescens) – We enjoyed a good look off the Boy Scout Road and heard quite a few more
BICKNELL'S THRUSH (Catharus bicknelli) – The screaming winds up on Mt. Washington had me very nervous but we eventually found a cooperative pair much to my relief!
SWAINSON'S THRUSH (Catharus ustulatus) – We heard many singing their ethereal song. Our best look was roadside along Route 16 west of Rangeley.
HERMIT THRUSH (Catharus guttatus) – Another common thrush in the north woods
WOOD THRUSH (Hylocichla mustelina) – We savored clear views of this rapidly declining species at Evergreen Cemetery.
AMERICAN ROBIN (Turdus migratorius) – An everyday bird
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
GRAY CATBIRD (Dumetella carolinensis) – We found them primarily in the southern coastal scrub habitat
BROWN THRASHER (Toxostoma rufum) – We had a handsome individual come straight in but never say a word at Kennebunk Plains.
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus polyglottos) – This species reaches the northern edge of its range in Maine but are fairly easy to come by along the southern coast.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) – Yep [I]
Bombycillidae (Waxwings)
CEDAR WAXWING (Bombycilla cedrorum) – Almost an everyday bird but mostly just fly overs
Parulidae (New World Warblers)


Canada Warbler was voted the favorite bird of the trip. The fact that we had to work so hard to get a good look made this view that much more rewarding. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)

OVENBIRD (Seiurus aurocapilla) – We teased a few into view but certainly heard way more than we saw
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia noveboracensis) – A bog specialist
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia) – The little zebra nuthatch
NASHVILLE WARBLER (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) – These guys were thick on Quill Hill.
MOURNING WARBLER (Geothlypis philadelphia) – We had an excellent view of this hard to come by species on Quill Hill.
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis trichas) – An everyday bird
AMERICAN REDSTART (Setophaga ruticilla) – One of the most common warblers in the northern forest
NORTHERN PARULA (Setophaga americana) – Only during the second half of the tour
MAGNOLIA WARBLER (Setophaga magnolia) – We had some great looks at this striking warbler
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER (Setophaga fusca) – Wow, what a gorgeous little beast. We would have a hard time picking a favorite individual since we had so many great looks, but I have no problem picking my least favorite: the bugger singing just like a Bay-breasted Warbler.
YELLOW WARBLER (Setophaga petechia) – Nearly an everyday bird
CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER (Setophaga pensylvanica) – One of the last warblers to make the list but we enjoyed some mighty fine looks on Quill Hill.
BLACKPOLL WARBLER (Setophaga striata) – Our "last" warbler, Blackpolls breed at high elevation so we didn't catch up to this beauty until we were up on Mount Washington.
BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER (Setophaga caerulescens) – The forests of Maine are a stronghold for this breeding warbler.
PALM WARBLER (YELLOW) (Setophaga palmarum hypochrysea) – These guys were thick in the bogs around Rangeley.
PINE WARBLER (Setophaga pinus) – We had a close study of a singing male from the parking lot of Buffleheads Restaurant in Biddeford.
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (MYRTLE) (Setophaga coronata coronata) – Many during the second half of the tour, they become the most common warbler during fall migration in the Northeast.


This sharp male Blackpoll Warbler was one of many sharing the montane forest on Mount Washington with Bicknell's Thrushes. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)

PRAIRIE WARBLER (Setophaga discolor) – The young pines around the edges of the blueberry barren at Kennebunk Plains were "buzzing" with plenty of these sharp little birds.
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (Setophaga virens) – Another widespread species in the northern forest
CANADA WARBLER (Cardellina canadensis) – We really had to work harder than I expected for this species but the wait was worth it. In fact, you all were so pleased it was voted the bird of the trip.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
EASTERN TOWHEE (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) – "Drink your tea!" was a constant chorus around us at dawn at the Kennebunk Plains
CHIPPING SPARROW (Spizella passerina) – About an every other day bird
FIELD SPARROW (Spizella pusilla) – Kennebunk Plains is a special habitat hard to come by in Maine so this and the next several species were only found in one location on the tour.
VESPER SPARROW (Pooecetes gramineus) – "Here, here, there, there, everybody down the hill"
SAVANNAH SPARROW (Passerculus sandwichensis) – Great looks at this spiffy little sparrow
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW (Ammodramus savannarum) – A rare bird in Maine but we had a great look once there was enough light at Kennebunk Plains.
NELSON'S SPARROW (ATLANTIC COAST) (Ammodramus nelsoni subvirgatus) – This particular "sharp-tailed sparrow" is conspicuously dull and blurry. We had a bird literally at our feet in Scarborough Marsh. This region is the narrow band of overlap between this species and the next.
SALTMARSH SPARROW (Ammodramus caudacutus caudacutus) – The more common "sharp-tailed sparrow" that we studied in Scarborough Marsh with the cleaner, bolder pattern.


Saltmarsh Sparrows, like this individual, greatly outnumbered Nelson's Sparrow at Scarborough Marsh, but we got to study them both carefully. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)

SONG SPARROW (Melospiza melodia) – I'm surprised this sparrow was named Song and not Common sparrow.
SWAMP SPARROW (Melospiza georgiana) – We had good looks in the wetlands in the north.
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (Zonotrichia albicollis) – This beautiful song started our day each morning in the northern forest.
DARK-EYED JUNCO (SLATE-COLORED) (Junco hyemalis hyemalis) – We came upon this sparrow daily in the northern forest but there were many more than we saw. At that time of year, they are well into their nesting season and getting quiet.
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
NORTHERN CARDINAL (Cardinalis cardinalis) – Only in the southern part of the state
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus ludovicianus) – Two cooperative males surprised us at Kennebunk Plains and then we heard its fantastic song at Brownfield Bog.
INDIGO BUNTING (Passerina cyanea) – A vibrant male sang teed up on a sapling at Kennebunk Plains at sunrise.
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
BOBOLINK (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) – We came upon this colorful blackbird on three different occasions.
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelaius phoeniceus) – Plenty
COMMON GRACKLE (Quiscalus quiscula) – Nearly an everyday bird
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (Molothrus ater) – A few scattered here and there
ORCHARD ORIOLE (Icterus spurius) – A rare breeder in Maine, a lovely singing male at Capisic Pond Park was a treat.


Several large flocks of Red-necked Phalaropes around Mount Desert Rock were an unexpected bonus to our boat trip out of Bar Harbor. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)

BALTIMORE ORIOLE (Icterus galbula) – That male on the wire at Scarborough Marsh was memorable.
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
HOUSE FINCH (Haemorhous mexicanus) – Rarely found far from a home
PURPLE FINCH (Haemorhous purpureus) – We heard plenty "ticking" overhead but we had tough luck finding any perched.
PINE SISKIN (Spinus pinus) – Just a few flyovers
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH (Spinus tristis) – Almost an everyday bird
EVENING GROSBEAK (Coccothraustes vespertinus) – We got lucky with that male coming to a distant feeder when we stopped for the bluebird.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) – Everyday bird, oh well [I]

MAMMALS
SNOWSHOE HARE (Lepus americanus) – A few quick views in the Rangeley area
PLAIN EASTERN CHIPMUNK (Tamias striatus) – Cute little guys
WOODCHUCK (Marmota monax) – Very surprising to see one wandering around out on the tidal marsh at Biddeford
EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL (Sciurus carolinensis) – In the deciduous forests
RED SQUIRREL (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) – In the conifers
HARBOR PORPOISE (Phocoena phocoena) – A few people had quick looks on the boat trip out of Bar Harbor.
RED FOX (Vulpes vulpes) – We enjoyed a surprising number of sightings including that one that came trotting down the road almost to the van.
HARBOR SEAL (Phoca vitulina) – The smaller seal with a head that looks like a bowling ball with a short snout
GRAY SEAL (Halichoerus grypus) – The larger seal we encountered out of Bar Harbor, a.k.a. Horsehead
WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus virginianus) – Multiple sightings


A delicious farewell meal at The Well at Jordan's Farm after a week of fantastic birding left us all in smiles. (Photo by guide Eric Hynes)

MOOSE (Alces alces) – Finally, we had one step across the road on our way to NH. Some driving in the dark would have produced more sightings but there isn't much night in Maine in early June!


ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

For those interested in herps, we pointed out Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta), Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon), Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus), Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans), Wood Frog (Lithobates slyvaticus), and Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer).

Canada Warbler was voted favorite bird of the tour by a narrow margin. Runner-up was a five way tie between: Spruce Grouse, Atlantic Puffin, Bicknell's Thrush, Black Guillemot, and Blackpoll Warbler. Other species receiving votes were: Northern Gannet, Philadelphia Vireo, Blackburnian Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Black Tern, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Alder Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Common Loon, Boreal Chickadee, and Red-necked Phalarope.


Totals for the tour: 164 bird taxa and 11 mammal taxa