This year's Maine in Fall tour was noteworthy for how much Mother Nature played a role. We dodged and dealt with thunderstorms, fog, and even a hurricane. The cancelation of the pelagic undoubtedly impacted our triplist species total. Despite all the challenges and plan Bs, we managed to have numerous memorable experiences and a bunch of avian highlights. The adventure was all the better for the kindness and consideration you all expressed to each other. All the lobster rolls, clam chowder, and blueberry pie didn't hurt either.
Our first full day in the field was a glorious one. We focused on shorebirds in York and Cumberland Counties and tallied an impressive list by the time the day was done. Particularly noteworthy species (in Maine) were: Western Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, American Golden-Plover, Whimbrel, and Pectoral Sandpiper. A Peregrine Falcon and several Merlins stirred the pot for us several times.
The days on enchanting Monhegan Island were relaxed and thrilling at the same time. Not getting in any kind of vehicle for several days is a pleasant change from the rest of our normal routines. Mixed flocks of almost two dozen warbler species, coming on in close, quickened our pulses. Noteworthy species included: White-winged Crossbill, Worm-eating Warbler, and Clay-colored and Lark sparrows.
Bar Harbor was our base for the last chapter of our adventure, before Hurricane Lee chased us back down to Portland. We explored Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park and enjoyed species like Nelson's Sparrow, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Northern Gannet.
The highlight of the tour for some of you was our morning cruise out of Eastport. Being in the middle of Old Sow at peak upwelling was unforgettable. The species of note were numerous: Minke and Fin whales, Harbor Porpoise, Great Cormorant, Common Murre, Black-legged Kittiwake, Little Gull, and so, so many Bonaparte's Gulls!
Thanks for making my job so easy and for choosing Field Guides. I can't imagine finding a better bunch of "fine adult birders." I hope I get to bird with all of you again, sooner than later. Take care.
Sincerely,
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
CANADA GOOSE (Branta canadensis)
Lots of small flocks grazing in fields along the way
WOOD DUCK (Aix sponsa)
Several encounters in lakes in central Maine but the one flying down the coastline in Biddeford was a real surprise
BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Spatula discors)
Two flew in while we were on the Eastern Trail and briefly landed in a panne
AMERICAN WIGEON (Mareca americana)
I was surprised to see that one drop in with two Blue-winged Teal. It is a bit early for one to show up in Maine.
MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos)
Common and widespread but never in big numbers
AMERICAN BLACK DUCK (Anas rubripes)
Good looks later in the tour at this Atlantic Coast species
GREEN-WINGED TEAL (AMERICAN) (Anas crecca carolinensis)
Two in the marsh behind the Pelreco building might have been missed if they hadn't gotten up and flown off
COMMON EIDER (DRESSER'S) (Somateria mollissima dresseri)
Lots along the coast; too bad the drakes hadn't finished molting yet to see that striking plumage
SURF SCOTER (Melanitta perspicillata)
Distant scope views the last morning from East Point Sanctuary
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER (Melanitta deglandi)
One drake showed well just beyond the breakers at Biddeford Beach at the start of the tour
BLACK SCOTER (Melanitta americana)
Distant scope views the last morning from East Point Sanctuary
WILD TURKEY (Meleagris gallopavo)
Pointed out quite a few as we were driving
RING-NECKED PHEASANT (Phasianus colchicus) [I]
An out-of-place but entertaining presence on Monhegan Island
RED-NECKED GREBE (Podiceps grisegena)
Good scope views at a bird still in alternate plumage our last morning
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
Yep
MOURNING DOVE (Zenaida macroura)
Thick out on Monhegan
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (Archilochus colubris)
Immatures were conspicuous out on Monhegan
AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus palliatus)
Heard lots of whistling and enjoyed good scope views from Ocean Ave in Biddeford
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola)
A real mix of birds in various states of molt at the beginning of the tour
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis dominica)
Just one distant juvenile
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (Charadrius semipalmatus)
By the hundreds at Pine Point
KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus)
A cooperative individual was out on Monhegan
WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus)
The "rotary phone being dialed number 7" call was conspicuous as we got out of the van at Hills Beach; it must have been flying over
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres)
Excellent looks at this striking shorebird
STILT SANDPIPER (Calidris himantopus)
Observant Bob first drew our attention to this probing shorebird; a regular but rare migrant in fall migration in Maine
SANDERLING (Calidris alba)
By the hundreds
DUNLIN (Calidris alpina)
Good study of a molting bird at Biddeford Beach
LEAST SANDPIPER (Calidris minutilla)
Tiny, warm-plumaged, and light-colored legs
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER (Calidris fuscicollis)
It was fun to tease these larger and longer-winged birds out of the flocks of Semipalmated Sandpipers
PECTORAL SANDPIPER (Calidris melanotos)
This is not a common migrant in Maine so I was pretty tickled to have such a great view of a gorgeous juvenile bird at Scarborough Marsh
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (Calidris pusilla)
The default sandpiper on the coast of Maine in fall migration; we had lots of great studies
WESTERN SANDPIPER (Calidris mauri)
We played "Where's Waldo" among the large flocks of Semipalmated Sandpipers and managed to tease out two of them
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER (Limnodromus griseus)
The biggest numbers we encountered were at Hills Beach; most birds were juveniles
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
Just a few individuals
SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria)
Our prize for our perseverance in the rain in Augusta
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca)
Plenty of good looks
WILLET (Tringa semipalmata)
Most depart by the time we run this tour but we found five foraging on the mudflats at Pine Point
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes)
Good comparison with their larger cousin at Dunstan Landing
COMMON MURRE (Uria aalge)
We saw well over 100 during our cruise out of Eastport
BLACK GUILLEMOT (Cepphus grylle)
That raft of nine with all stages of molt was interesting
BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE (Rissa tridactyla)
Easier to see their unmarked greenish-yellow bills and inky wingtips than their dark legs on this pelagic gull
BONAPARTE'S GULL (Chroicocephalus philadelphia)
Wow -- what an awesome study with hundreds around the boat multiple times on Passamaquoddy Bay
LITTLE GULL (Hydrocoloeus minutus)
The smallest gull in the world is predominately a Eurasian species so it is also a banner day when you find one. Captain Butch kept us in a great position to study the subtle differences from Bonaparte's Gulls.
LAUGHING GULL (Leucophaeus atricilla)
Losing their hoods by this time
RING-BILLED GULL (Larus delawarensis)
These inland breeders were just arriving on the coast
HERRING GULL (AMERICAN) (Larus argentatus smithsonianus)
Numerous
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus fuscus)
This species is showing up in increasing numbers in North America. We had multiple opportunities to study them in comparison to their larger cousins
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus marinus)
The largest gull in the world
CASPIAN TERN (Hydroprogne caspia)
I was surprised to see a pair fly by us at Seawall during our picnic lunch and then have another pair fly along the shore at Lubec giving their loud, raspy call.
COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo)
A few still around
COMMON LOON (Gavia immer)
Nice to see adults in breeding plumage on lakes in central Maine
NORTHERN GANNET (Morus bassanus)
We scoped these massive seabirds from coastal vantage points several times
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Their larger size and heavier bills were easily discernible from the next species when they were roosting on rocks together
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT (Nannopterum auritum)
A common breeder in Maine
AMERICAN BITTERN (Botaurus lentiginosus)
What a bonus! Most birds were sheltering out of view during tropical storm Lee but we managed to find this cryptic skulker peeking out from some cattails and then we all got to enjoy its distinctive two-toned upperwings as it flew across the marsh.
GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias)
More days than not
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
The one all the way up in Eastport was surprising
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
Quite a few at Wharton Point
GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens)
Easily overlooked but we managed to find several along the way
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
All of our sightings were of juvenile birds
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nyctanassa violacea)
Not known to breed in Maine; we were lucky to find a couple juveniles that headed north in post-breeding dispersal; excellent comparative studies with the similar previous species
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
Effortless soarers
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
This species has really comeback strong in Maine as a breeder
NORTHERN HARRIER (Circus hudsonius)
Cinnamon-bellied juveniles
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (Accipiter striatus)
A few flyovers; short-handled sledgehammers
COOPER'S HAWK (Accipiter cooperii)
The flying cross
BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Mostly adults
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK (Buteo lineatus)
This species is few and far between in Maine but we spotted a distant soaring bird while we were on the Eastern Trail. The pale crescents at the base of the primaries were evident because it was backlight.
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (Buteo platypterus)
On the wires
RED-TAILED HAWK (Buteo jamaicensis)
Roadside mostly in southern Maine during our tour
BELTED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle alcyon)
Daily sightings on this tour; they seemed to be hunkering down on low rocks during tropical storm Lee
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes carolinus)
Heard but not seen from Dunstan Landing
DOWNY WOODPECKER (Dryobates pubescens)
Mostly heard birds
HAIRY WOODPECKER (Dryobates villosus)
Calling when we were in Tremont
PILEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus pileatus)
Heard more than seen
NORTHERN FLICKER (YELLOW-SHAFTED) (Colaptes auratus luteus)
The most conspicuous woodpecker of the tour
MERLIN (Falco columbarius)
Multiple days we had excellent looks at this speedy raptor, but our last morning was probably the best, with several scope views of perched birds.
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus)
It was really exciting when the immature bird buzzed the mudflats at Pine Point putting up thousands of shorebirds.
EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE (Contopus virens)
We saw several birds well on our hike across Monhegan
LEAST FLYCATCHER (Empidonax minimus)
Just a few still around
EASTERN PHOEBE (Sayornis phoebe)
Several cooperative birds
EASTERN KINGBIRD (Tyrannus tyrannus)
At least one was hanging around the village of Monhegan
PHILADELPHIA VIREO (Vireo philadelphicus)
This species can be hard to come by but we had a couple good looks at creamy-throated birds on Monhegan
RED-EYED VIREO (Vireo olivaceus)
Plenty of good looks
BLUE JAY (Cyanocitta cristata)
That squadron overhead at Mitchell Cove was memorable
AMERICAN CROW (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
Common
FISH CROW (Corvus ossifragus)
Our session with a family group proved educational
COMMON RAVEN (Corvus corax)
Croak
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE (Poecile atricapillus)
Maine's state bird
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET (Corthylio calendula)
Finally caught up to a calling bird our last morning
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET (Regulus satrapa)
"szeet szeet szeet"
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta canadensis)
A favorite of mine
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (EASTERN) (Sitta carolinensis carolinensis)
Noted the vocalization difference from western birds
BROWN CREEPER (Certhia americana)
Heard well along the start of the trail at Boot Head Preserve
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
Just a heard bird at Dunstan Landing
MARSH WREN (Cistothorus palustris)
CAROLINA WREN (Thryothorus ludovicianus)
A boisterous little beast
EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) [I]
Flocks on wires
GRAY CATBIRD (Dumetella carolinensis)
Saw a few here and there but heard plenty more
BROWN THRASHER (Toxostoma rufum)
Excellent scope views of this rusty Mimid our first morning in Biddeford
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus polyglottos)
Another Biddeford bird
SWAINSON'S THRUSH (Catharus ustulatus)
Just after the rain at Sieur de Monts in Acadia National Park
HERMIT THRUSH (Catharus guttatus)
That juvenile allowed us prolonged looks as it foraged down the trail ahead of us
AMERICAN ROBIN (Turdus migratorius)
A common bird in Maine most of the year but few and far between in September
CEDAR WAXWING (Bombycilla cedrorum)
Swarms on Monhegan
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]
Yeah
HOUSE FINCH (Haemorhous mexicanus)
Our last morning there were some cooperative birds along Ocean Ave
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL (Loxia leucoptera)
THE bird of the tour. We enjoyed a pair teed up in spruce on the hike across Monhegan
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH (Spinus tristis)
Scattered throughout
CHIPPING SPARROW (Spizella passerina)
Mostly juveniles
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (Spizella pallida)
This is a rare species in Maine but a few consistently end up on Monhegan Island in fall migration
LARK SPARROW (Chondestes grammacus)
Finding one on Monhegan was fun but not surprising. Finding one on Ocean Ave in Biddeford was definitely more unusual
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (Zonotrichia albicollis)
We had a few along the boardwalk at Sieur de Monts
NELSON'S SPARROW (ATLANTIC COAST) (Ammospiza nelsoni subvirgata)
A tough get. One teed up pretty far out in the marsh -- some got a scope view
SALTMARSH SPARROW (Ammospiza caudacuta caudacuta)
We really had to work for this target species. A juvenile eventually gave us good looks
SAVANNAH SPARROW (Passerculus sandwichensis)
A few birds early in the tour
SONG SPARROW (Melospiza melodia)
Plenty. Lots of youngsters on Monhegan
BOBOLINK (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
Primarily a heard bird in the fog on Monhegan but we did see a couple flyovers the last morning on the island
BALTIMORE ORIOLE (Icterus galbula)
Neat to see a little migration push show up one morning on Monhegan
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelaius phoeniceus)
Thick in the summer but many have moved on by the time of the tour
COMMON GRACKLE (Quiscalus quiscula)
Flocks on Monhegan
OVENBIRD (Seiurus aurocapilla)
We kicked one off the trail coming and going on our way over to Whitehead
WORM-EATING WARBLER (Helmitheros vermivorum)
The biggest surprise of the tour. The northern edge of this species range stops south of Maine so clearly this was a wrong way bird in fall migration.
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia noveboracensis)
Conspicuous on Monhegan this year
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia)
Mostly plain-faced juveniles
TENNESSEE WARBLER (Leiothlypis peregrina)
One of the first warblers we found on Monhegan turned out to be the only one of the tour
NASHVILLE WARBLER (Leiothlypis ruficapilla)
One in a mixed flock on Lighthouse Hill
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis trichas)
Maybe the most numerous warbler we encountered
AMERICAN REDSTART (Setophaga ruticilla)
Spastic foragers
CAPE MAY WARBLER (Setophaga tigrina)
We can all recall that one that perched briefly in the open in gorgeous morning light
NORTHERN PARULA (Setophaga americana)
Surprisingly few
MAGNOLIA WARBLER (Setophaga magnolia)
Most of the mixed flocks we encountered on Monhegan had at least one of these
BAY-BREASTED WARBLER (Setophaga castanea)
That one bird down by the ice pond seemed frozen. I don't ever recall seeing one hold a perch that long before
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER (Setophaga fusca)
Bold, pale mantle streaks are the key to the ID
YELLOW WARBLER (Setophaga petechia)
A little pack hung out near that one garden we passed each walk on Monhegan
BLACKPOLL WARBLER (Setophaga striata)
Amazing to think some of those birds are fattening up to make a huge flight to the Caribbean or even South America before putting down again
BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER (Setophaga caerulescens)
Just a few
PALM WARBLER (YELLOW) (Setophaga palmarum hypochrysea)
Normally we see the "western" subspecies in fall migration on Monhegan but we definitely had a yellow-bellied bird -- the type that breeds in the northeast
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (MYRTLE) (Setophaga coronata coronata)
Plenty
PRAIRIE WARBLER (Setophaga discolor)
Several good looks in mixed flocks on the way down to Lobster Cove
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (Setophaga virens)
Not as numerous as I am used to in fall migration but we had multiple good looks
CANADA WARBLER (Cardellina canadensis)
One came in with a flock down by the Wyeth house
WILSON'S WARBLER (Cardellina pusilla)
Holly Merker, from the National Audubon Society group out from Hog Island Camp, got a few of us on one down by Lobster Cove
NORTHERN CARDINAL (Cardinalis cardinalis)
More heard than seen
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus ludovicianus)
Just a few
PLAIN EASTERN CHIPMUNK (Tamias striatus)
Scurrying about
EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL (Sciurus carolinensis)
Mostly noticed while we were driving
RED SQUIRREL (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
Boot Head Preserve
HARBOR PORPOISE (Phocoena phocoena)
Numerous in Head Harbor Passage but we saw some in U.S. waters as well
COMMON MINKE WHALE (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
At least three individuals, including Stumpy. That one that surfaced so close to the boat was unforgettable
FIN WHALE (Balaenoptera physalus)
Bonus! We were delighted that the "greyhound of the sea" was being "lazy"
NORTHERN RACCOON (Procyon lotor)
A few of us saw one successfully cross the road after dinner in South Portland and Acacia spotted another on the rocks at a marsh roadside
HARBOR SEAL (Phoca vitulina)
Lots of great looks at "seadogs"
GRAY SEAL (Halichoerus grypus)
The larger "horsehead"
WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus virginianus)
Most sightings were on the day we drove up to Eastport
Totals for the tour: 145 bird taxa and 10 mammal taxa