A Field Guides Birding Tours Report
Maine in Fall: Seabirds & Coastal Migrants 2021
September 9-18, 2021 with Eric Hynes guiding
Thanks so much for getting fully vaccinated and choosing to travel again with Field Guides in these wildest of times! Your attitudes and understanding were greatly appreciated. Any tour in Maine is a homecoming for me so it is always a treat to share some of my favorite birding locations and adventures. The fact that you were all such a respectful and harmonious bunch made it extra special.
Hurricane Larry stayed way out to sea but its slow progress and massive size managed to impact our itinerary right from the start. Once I was informed that the Maine Audubon pelagic trip was canceled, Tour Manager Ruth Kuhl and I scrambled to put Plan B in place. In the end, in some ways, the shuffling of the itinerary might have been a blessing.
Our adventure began on a rainy evening in the Portland area. We headed to Scarborough Marsh and tallied our first species from observation points behind the Pelreco Building, at the Lobsterman's Co-op at Pine Point and at Pine Point Beach. We enjoyed a direct comparison of Lesser versus Greater yellowlegs in the same scope view and a diversity of herons and egrets. Shorebirds such as Black-bellied and Semipalmated plovers made the list but the fog really limited the quality of our first looks. A flock of Wild Turkeys were spotted, as well as several Belted Kingfishers, which proved to be nearly a daily occurrence for both species.
Day two began under more pleasant weather conditions with a walk at Timber Point in Kennebunkport, followed by a visit to Goose Rocks Beach. Broad-winged, Red-tailed and Cooper's hawks were noted but the state endangered Piping Plovers had already departed toward their wintering grounds. The lunar cycle, combined with the swell Hurricane Larry was generating, made for a magical shorebird experience while we enjoyed our lunch at Biddeford Beach. Hundreds of shorebirds were pushed right up to the dune edge. We sat quiet and still on our stools marveling at the frantic foraging of the more numerous Semipalmated Sandpipers and Sanderlings. Our patient approach was rewarded with an outstanding study of Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstone, Least, White-rumped and Western sandpipers as well. A pair of American Oystercatchers, rare breeders in Maine, flew by and we were able to catch up to them roosting on some rocks near East Point. Our only Black-crowned Night-Herons of the tour were snoozing the day away on the back side of Great Pond. Always observant Rita surprised us with her discovery of a bright Dickcissel at Kettle Cove and we finished the day at Dyer Point with lobster rolls, while spectacular waves crashed against the rocks.
Saturday was our transition day up to Bar Harbor, but before we left the southern coast, we improved our views of Common Eider, Short-billed Dowitcher, and Least Sandpiper, heard a flushed Wilson's Snipe, plus a surprisingly good view of a Nelson's Sparrow. Species nearing the northern edge of their range like Red-bellied Woodpecker, Carolina Wren and Northern Mockingbird were noted. An odd wading bird, possibly a Snowy Egret x Tricolored Heron hybrid was studied behind the Pelreco Building. My brother's place in Augusta, Cushnoc, was a hit for lunch and we followed this up with a visit to Messalonskee Lake in Belgrade where we observed our only Sandhill Cranes and Pied-billed Grebe of the tour.
Acadia National Park has so many wonderful sites but I always like starting at Sieur du Monts Spring. A mixed flock greeted us right in the parking lot with super views of Red-eyed Vireo, Black-and-white Warbler, Northern Parula, and Black-throated Green Warbler. A majestic Pileated Woodpecker chiseled away at a snag while we discussed the various pronunciations of its name. Our only Blackburnian Warbler of the tour and hard-to-spot Brown Creepers were eventually found. The ponds behind Mount Desert High School attracted handsome Wood Ducks and keen-eyed Rita once again brought our attention to an exciting phenomenon. Watching newly hatched Snapping Turtles emerge on the surface was a nature moment I think we will all remember forever. Our first good looks at Lesser Black-backed Gulls were enjoyed during our lunch break at Seawall. Kinglets, warblers and scope views of Common Loon and Black Guillemot highlighted our afternoon stroll around the Ship Harbor loop trail.
Monday began with an out and back walk at Valley Cove before retreating to Bar Harbor to board the Friendship V. Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company hadn't offered a trip in three days because of the hurricane so our adventure was more crowded than any of us would have liked. Despite the capacity crowd, a number of noteworthy species were encountered that made the trip more than worthwhile. Our best look at Atlantic Puffin came in part because we had slowed down for a large shark (Great White?). Northern Gannets and Wilson's Storm-Petrels were present during much of the cruise and multiple flocks of Red-necked Phalaropes were observed. Presumedly, the complete absence of jaegers, skuas, shearwaters and fulmars was the influence of Larry.
On the 14th, we headed all the way Downeast for a walk at Boot Head Preserve followed by a visit to the easternmost point in the United States at West Quoddy Head Light. Our first Black-legged Kittiwakes and Great Cormorants were on the large rock just off-shore. The only Surf Scoters of the tour we scoped during the picnic lunch we enjoyed at the South Lubec Flats. In the afternoon, we made our way around to Eastport and joined Captain Butch of Eastport Windjammers to cruise the nutrient-rich waters of Passamaquoddy Bay as far out as Head Harbor Passage. The rarest bird of the trip, an adult Little Gull, was seen well shortly after leaving the dock while we were mesmerized by the swirling waters of Old Sow, the largest natural whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere. At least four Minke Whales were seen well, plus dozens of Harbor Porpoise. Most remarkable on this journey were the incredible looks we had at Razorbill and Common Murre!
When we departed Bar Harbor, we headed up to the boreal forest outside Milford and picked up Swamp Sparrow, Palm Warbler and a fantastic look at an Ovenbird walking along a branch. The rest of the day was spent getting out to Monhegan Island. On the ferry ride across, aboard the Elizabeth Ann out of Port Clyde, we witnessed one of the more dramatic moments of the tour: a Peregrine Falcon chasing a Ruddy Turnstone in the wake of the boat.
Our tour concluded with several lovely days exploring the always enchanting and relaxing Monhegan Island. Our best looks at Merlin and Sharp-shinned Hawk occurred there as well as additions to the list of Hermit Thrush, Mourning Warbler, Baltimore Oriole, Eastern Kingbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Bobolink.
Thanks again for choosing Field Guides and I look forward to our next adventure in the field together!
Cheers and good birding,
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
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
CANADA GOOSE (Branta canadensis)
Most were seen while driving.
WOOD DUCK (Aix sponsa)
The ponds behind Mount Desert High School allowed for excellent scope views of this handsome duck.
MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos)
An everyday bird.
AMERICAN BLACK DUCK (Anas rubripes)
Our best look at this regional specialty was after our walk at Valley Cove on MDI.
GREEN-WINGED TEAL (AMERICAN) (Anas crecca carolinensis)
The birds on Monhegan were pretty sneaky.
COMMON EIDER (DRESSER'S) (Somateria mollissima dresseri)
The default duck along the coast of Maine is our heaviest diver.
SURF SCOTER (Melanitta perspicillata)
Scoped from South Lubec Flats.
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
RING-NECKED PHEASANT (Phasianus colchicus) [I]
Striking birds were extremely cooperative on Monhegan.
WILD TURKEY (Meleagris gallopavo)
I have never seen so many in Maine.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps)
A distant view at Messalonskee.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
Almost daily.
MOURNING DOVE (Zenaida macroura)
An everyday bird.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (Archilochus colubris)
Our best looks were on Monhegan.
Gruidae (Cranes)
SANDHILL CRANE (Antigone canadensis)
A rare breeder in Maine; seen well at Messalonskee.
Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)
AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus palliatus)
Another rare breeder in Maine; roosting on the rocks in Biddeford south of East Point Sanctuary.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola)
Numerous on the mudflats at Pine Point.
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (Charadrius semipalmatus)
Incredibly close views at Biddeford Beach.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres)
I wonder if that one that ended up in the ocean managed to evade the Peregrine Falcon?
SANDERLING (Calidris alba)
By the hundreds in Biddeford.
DUNLIN (Calidris alpina)
Just the one.
LEAST SANDPIPER (Calidris minutilla)
Excellent close views of the smallest shorebird in the world.
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER (Calidris fuscicollis)
Participants from the west really appreciated our prolonged and close observations of this primarily eastern North America peep.
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (Calidris pusilla)
It was interesting to appreciate the variation in bill length with such close looks.
WESTERN SANDPIPER (Calidris mauri)
The Waldo in the peep swarm at Biddeford Beach.
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER (Limnodromus griseus)
Excellent looks at juveniles at Dunstan Landing.
WILSON'S SNIPE (Gallinago delicata) [*]
We heard the "scape" alarm call from somewhere out in the marsh at Dunstan Landing.
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE (Phalaropus lobatus)
Good looks on our whale watch out of Bar Harbor.
RED PHALAROPE (Phalaropus fulicarius)
Seen by only a few of us while motoring along during the Bar Harbor boat trip.
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
On the rocks in Biddeford.
SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria)
Three in close proximity defied the name at the Ice Pond on Monhegan Island.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca)
More days than not.
WILLET (Tringa semipalmata)
Only one seen from Pine Point in Scarborough.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes)
Fewer and quieter than its cousin.
Alcidae (Auks, Murres, and Puffins)
COMMON MURRE (Uria aalge)
You can't beat the looks we got on Passamaquoddy Bay from the boat.
RAZORBILL (Alca torda)
This Alcid restricted to the North Atlantic received the most votes for favorite species.
BLACK GUILLEMOT (Cepphus grylle)
Plenty of good looks; most birds well on their way to non-breeding plumage.
ATLANTIC PUFFIN (Fratercula arctica)
Having that adult transitioning out of breeding condition sit on the water so cooperatively while we were stopped was an incredibly welcomed stroke of luck.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE (Rissa tridactyla)
Excellent looks in Lubec and Eastport.
BONAPARTE'S GULL (Chroicocephalus philadelphia)
By the thousands in Passamaquoddy Bay.
LITTLE GULL (Hydrocoloeus minutus)
Great views at a real rarity!
LAUGHING GULL (Leucophaeus atricilla)
Seen well on multiple days.
RING-BILLED GULL (Larus delawarensis)
More days than not.
HERRING GULL (AMERICAN) (Larus argentatus smithsonianus)
Numerous.
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus fuscus)
Good looks at this increasing vagrant to this continent.
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus marinus)
Plenty.
COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo)
Only while we were at sea.
Gaviidae (Loons)
COMMON LOON (Gavia immer)
Good looks on multiple days.
Oceanitidae (Southern Storm-Petrels)
WILSON'S STORM-PETREL (Oceanites oceanicus)
Only during the boat trip out of Bar Harbor.
Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)
NORTHERN GANNET (Morus bassanus)
We enjoyed some excellent looks at this massive seabird.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)
This species reaches the southern limit of North Atlantic breeding range in Maine.
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax auritus)
Many.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias)
This widespread species is showing a decline in its breeding population in the Northeast.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
Along the southern coast.
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
Good looks around Scarborough Marsh; there was also that one bird behind the Pelreco Building that was likely a hybrid Snowy Egret x Tricolored Heron (?) but we will never know for sure without DNA.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Only at Great Pond in Biddeford.
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
More days than not.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
It is wonderful to see how well this species has bounced back from DDT; many nesting pairs along the coast.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
NORTHERN HARRIER (Circus hudsonius)
The fresh-plumaged juvenile out on Monhegan stands out in my memory.
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (Accipiter striatus)
Surprisingly hard to come by this tour.
COOPER'S HAWK (Accipiter cooperii)
Only a couple days.
BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Good looks at multiple birds, especially Downeast.
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (Buteo platypterus)
We savored good looks at a perched bird in Kennebunkport.
RED-TAILED HAWK (Buteo jamaicensis)
Only noticed in southern Maine.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
BELTED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle alcyon)
Good looks on most days.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes carolinus)
Just the one bird near the entrance to the campground at Dunstan Landing.
DOWNY WOODPECKER (Dryobates pubescens)
A few here and there.
HAIRY WOODPECKER (Dryobates villosus)
Harder to come by than the previous species.
PILEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus pileatus)
We loved our experience at Sieur du Monts Spring.
NORTHERN FLICKER (YELLOW-SHAFTED) (Colaptes auratus luteus)
Lots out on Monhegan.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
This declining species was seen about half the days.
MERLIN (Falco columbarius)
One bird spent all morning zooming overhead and terrorizing the songbirds at the south end of Monhegan.
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus)
The Ruddy Turnstone pursuit was particularly memorable.
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
LEAST FLYCATCHER (Empidonax minimus)
Good looks on Monhegan.
EASTERN PHOEBE (Sayornis phoebe)
Surprisingly few.
EASTERN KINGBIRD (Tyrannus tyrannus)
We all finally caught up to one the last day on Monhegan.
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
BLUE-HEADED VIREO (Vireo solitarius)
Good looks for some of us on Monhegan.
RED-EYED VIREO (Vireo olivaceus)
That reliable individual in the willows near the market was entertaining to watch thrashing caterpillars.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
BLUE JAY (Cyanocitta cristata)
A striking corvid.
AMERICAN CROW (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
An every day bird.
COMMON RAVEN (Corvus corax)
Nearly every day.
Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE (Poecile atricapillus)
Maine's state bird.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
TREE SWALLOW (Tachycineta bicolor)
Only at the start of the tour.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
Most had already migrated south.
Regulidae (Kinglets)
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET (Regulus satrapa)
More encounters than the following species.
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET (Regulus calendula)
Our best views were on Monhegan.
Sittidae (Nuthatches)
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta canadensis)
More readily heard than seen but good views were enjoyed.
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (EASTERN) (Sitta carolinensis carolinensis)
Only a couple encounters.
Certhiidae (Treecreepers)
BROWN CREEPER (Certhia americana)
We kept hearing their high, thin calls and Tom eventually picked out some moving bark at Sieur du Monts Spring.
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
Only in Scarborough.
CAROLINA WREN (Thryothorus ludovicianus)
Their loud, ringing calls were conspicuous on Monhegan.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) [I]
Yep.
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
GRAY CATBIRD (Dumetella carolinensis)
Good looks at Timber Point.
BROWN THRASHER (Toxostoma rufum)
The bird coming to the feeders on Monhegan was most cooperative.
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus polyglottos)
Obliging at Timber Point.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
EASTERN BLUEBIRD (Sialia sialis)
A few looks in Biddeford.
SWAINSON'S THRUSH (Catharus ustulatus)
We spotted a few skulkers during the Valley Cove walk on MDI.
HERMIT THRUSH (Catharus guttatus) [*]
Its wheezy call was heard but I don't recall laying eyes on one.
AMERICAN ROBIN (Turdus migratorius)
This species is a common breeder and plenty are around in the winter but they are surprisingly hard to see in early fall.
Bombycillidae (Waxwings)
CEDAR WAXWING (Bombycilla cedrorum)
Flocks put on quite a show consuming the mountain ash berries on Monhegan.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]
Yes.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
AMERICAN PIPIT (Anthus rubescens) [*]
Heard one/some calling overhead at Goose Rocks in Kennebunkport.
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
HOUSE FINCH (Haemorhous mexicanus)
Only the first two days in southern Maine.
PINE SISKIN (Spinus pinus)
Finally caught up to some the last day.
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH (Spinus tristis)
More days than not.
Passerellidae (New World Sparrows)
CHIPPING SPARROW (Spizella passerina)
Good looks on Monhegan.
LARK SPARROW (Chondestes grammacus)
One hanging out with the Chipping Sparrows up on Lighthouse Hill on Monhegan.
DARK-EYED JUNCO (SLATE-COLORED) (Junco hyemalis hyemalis)
On Mount Desert Island.
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (Zonotrichia albicollis)
Out on Monhegan.
NELSON'S SPARROW (ATLANTIC COAST) (Ammospiza nelsoni subvirgata)
We were fortunate to have an individual stay perched high in the Spartina for scope views of this subvirgata subspecies that appears to have gone through the washer too many times.
SAVANNAH SPARROW (Passerculus sandwichensis)
Good looks on Monhegan.
SONG SPARROW (Melospiza melodia)
More days than not.
SWAMP SPARROW (Melospiza georgiana)
Cooperative birds roadside in the boreal forest outside of Milford, near Sunkhaze Meadows N.W.R..
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
BOBOLINK (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
Flyovers on Monhegan.
BALTIMORE ORIOLE (Icterus galbula)
Teed up near the Ice Pond our last morning.
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelaius phoeniceus)
Our best looks was down at Lobster Cove on Monhegan.
COMMON GRACKLE (Quiscalus quiscula)
A couple birds around the village.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
OVENBIRD (Seiurus aurocapilla)
The "wrong parking lot" bird was most obliging.
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia noveboracensis) [*]
Distinctive chips could be heard but it never came into view.
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia)
Wow -- those two female/immature types in the apple trees across from the school put on a real show.
MOURNING WARBLER (Geothlypis philadelphia)
Some people caught up to an individual as it moved through a dense patch of vegetation on Monhegan.
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis trichas)
Most days.
AMERICAN REDSTART (Setophaga ruticilla)
Excellent looks at this striking warbler.
CAPE MAY WARBLER (Setophaga tigrina)
A few our last morning on Monhegan.
NORTHERN PARULA (Setophaga americana)
Stunning views of this colorful, short-tailed warbler.
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER (Setophaga fusca)
Only at Sieur du Monts Spring surprisingly.
YELLOW WARBLER (Setophaga petechia)
That edge at Dunstan Landing in Scarborough was crawling with them.
PALM WARBLER (YELLOW) (Setophaga palmarum hypochrysea)
Responsive birds at the edge of the wetland outside of Milford.
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (MYRTLE) (Setophaga coronata coronata)
Plenty.
PRAIRIE WARBLER (Setophaga discolor)
Just one sharp individual near the campground entrance in Scarborough.
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (Setophaga virens)
Good looks on multiple days.
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
NORTHERN CARDINAL (Cardinalis cardinalis)
Early and late in the tour.
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus ludovicianus)
Only on Monhegan.
DICKCISSEL (Spiza americana)
We heard the odd call on Monhegan but our best look was at Kettle Cove in Cape Elizabeth thanks to Rita.
MAMMALS
EASTERN CHIPMUNK (Tamias striatus)
EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL (Sciurus carolinensis)
RED SQUIRREL (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
MUSKRAT (Ondatra zibethica)
Good looks at MDI high school ponds.
HARBOR PORPOISE (Phocoena phocoena)
The concentration in Passamaquoddy Bay was impressive.
COMMON MINKE WHALE (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
Wonderful close views in Passamaquoddy Bay.
HARBOR SEAL (Phoca vitulina)
Basking on rocks.
WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus virginianus)
HERPS
GREEN FROG (Lithobates clamitans)
NORTHERN LEOPARD FROG (Lithobates pipiens)
EASTERN RED-BACKED SALAMANDER (Plethodon cinereus)
PAINTED TURTLE (Chrysemys picta)
COMMON SNAPPING TURTLE (Chelydra serpentina)
SPRING PEEPER (Pseudocris crucifer)
Totals for the tour: 133 bird taxa and 8 mammal taxa