Harlequin column in BDN

[duch...@midmaine.com]

My thanks for several wicked good harlequin duck photos sent to me this
week. Doug Hitchcox had a pair of ducks that seemed to best match this
week's column in the Bangor Daily News:
http://bangordailynews.com/2013/03/29/outdoors/harlequin-ducks-are-whitewater-specialists/

What a day around Isle au Haut today. Lots and lots of Harlequins, one
flock of at least 150 Purple Sandpipers, a group of seven Razorbills, and
plenty of the usual suspects (loons, eiders, guillemots, buffleheads,
long-tailed ducks, red-breasted mergansers, both grebes, and all three
scoters.) Lots of good birds but nothing really unusual...except the great
weather. Forty people joined us on the Isle au Haut mailboat.

Bob Duchesne
www.mainebirdingtrail.com

[MarkJ]

Thanks Bob - very nice article.

Best,
Mark

 

 

[duch...@midmaine.com]

Day 2 of a Baxter State Park tour hit the motherlode today. We had most of
the tough species by 10am, including American Three-toed Woodpecker,
Black-backed Woodpecker, Spruce Grouse, Boreal Chickadee, and Gray Jay.
(That's only 70 minutes off my record for getting the Big Five. My current
record stands at :850am, set last year.) We easily added good looks at
Tennessee, Bay-breasted, and Blackpoll Warbler. An Olive-sided Flycatcher
and bunches of Yellow-bellied Flycatchers entertained. A hen Spruce Grouse
challenged our right to walk the road. With wings arched and an angry
attitude, she successfully drove us off. Nesting Merlins at Kidney Pond
also amused.

Lots of moose, too.

Bob Duchesne
www.mainebirdingtrail.com

[duch...@midmaine.com]

I enjoyed the company of a couple birders from southwest Virginia today.
We hit my favorite area just west of Baxter State Park. Not only are the
semi-reliable American Three-toed Woodpeckers still present, but they are
tending a cute youngster. Today, he just sat in a swaying tree and called
and called and called until his parents brought him food. See the little
tyke at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56QVSRaVzzc.

I am likely to offer a trip to this spot adjacent to Maine Audubon's
pelagic trip in September. I did such a trip last year and we enjoyed lots
of boreal specialties, including the woodpeckers. I won't be posting that
info on the RBA list, so if anyone wants advance info on scheduling and
details, please let me know offline.

I was also surprised by a couple of WW Crossbills in this spot today.
They've been absent this year. A Rusty Blackbird visited the spot today, my
first in this location. I was surprised by a flyover of a Lesser
Yellowlegs. it may not be too early at the coast, but it's a surprise in
the North Maine Woods.

Another funny treat: the Boreal Chickadee families are out in full force
now, noisy and numerous - one family after another today. Bay-breasted
Warblers were still singing, as were Blackpolls and many other warblers and
sparrows. The Fox Sparrows were noisy for awhile. Hermit and Swainson's
Thrushes were in full voice.

Bob Duchesne
www.mainebirdingtrail.com

[Ernie]

Dear Bob,

        Is there any chance of listing were the American Three- toed Woodpeckers are. I have a good friend up from New York & that has been a nemesis bird for him to see. I would like to take him up to find it. Baxter SP is a big place & any tips on the area would be much appreciated.

sincerely,

Ernie