Surfbird possible sighting. Dodgy

[Rob O'Connell]

OK. I was reluctant to post this but after discussing it with Doug a bit we felt it worth mentioning. This is a "Believe It At Your Own Risk" sighting report and is intended for your speculation. I am by no means calling this definitive.

I arrived at the East Point shortly after 4PM today to see if I could get a little more time with the Surfbird today than I had yesterday. I scanned the coast to South Point without finding anything remarkable (I hate to say that about the Maine coast). I got the reports from several birders who were leaving (As always greatly appreciated!) and they stated that the most promising possibility was a flock of about 60 Purple Sandpipers that were out off the point at the marker post at Washman Rock. I settled in at the point and waited for them do do anything which took a bit. At about 4:50 they rose up and flew off to the left, circled a couple of times and returned to the backside of the same rock. While they were in flight, I snapped some shots even though I doubted anything would come of it due to distance and my lens and the lighting. 

Upon reviewing the flight pics, there appears to be a bird in the flock that is larger than the purple sandpipers and has a distinctly larger and more defined stripe on the wing. I shared these with Doug and he thought it was compelling enough to announce and let you all come to your own conclusions. 

Here are the two photos where it shows the best. Bear in mind these are zoomed in and not the best. 

Shot 1

Shot 2

There was a gentleman there who had a much larger lens and was taking pictures at the same time. He was from Connecticut but has a place in Camp Ellis. I had intended to exchange contact info when we separated, but did not. He had been there a while so if anyone knows him or how to reach him, he may have much better pictures. 

Apologies for not getting it out sooner but I stayed at the point until sunset and although several small groups of the Purple Sandpipers(about half) came in at the end of the day, Some remained out there and we did not see the Surfbird in any of these closer groups.

One other note. A small flight (estimated 4-6) of Ruddy Turnstones did appear at the very end of the point. After waiting for them to appear for a while and not seeing anything, I ventured down a bit to try and get an angle along the shoreline and I was able to see 2 of them very well. I could not seen any more at that point. I do not know if this was the same group as yesterday.  

There was also a Ruddy Goodbirder (Doug) Not as rare on the Maine coast but thought it made for a good shot with the lighting. Thanks for the insight on this!

While leaving down Mile Stretch Road, I got to watch a Great Horned Owl playing Santa for a bit. Definitely made the seeming lack of Surfbird a little easier to take. 

Owl

Thanks

Rob O'Connell

[Rob O'Connell]

Found another shot that has a better view of the wing pattern. Still not great, but it is better. Does not show the tail white that was there as well. 

Possible Surfbird 3 Center of group near top. 

Purples on the Rock this was a shot of the group as they came around the front briefly. I was not near the scope at that point and my bins were inconclusive on the one in the front middle that looks a bit larger. By the time I got back to my scope they were behind the rock again.