Gilsland Farm Birdwalk

[Doug Hitchcox]

Hey everyone:

This morning the meadows of Gilsland Farm were completely covered in frost. Despite the cold we managed a pretty good list today with 46 species, including:

Seems like we get a new species of returning waterfowl with each walk: two Hooded Mergansers were seen feeding along the river - a fairly overdue patch bird for me. Timing was perfect for one of our last Chipping Sparrows and our first American Tree Sparrow of the fall. Here is a fun visual of this timing: http://tinyurl.com/n3xl885

As temps rose towards the end of the walk we added a calling Eastern Phoebe in the North Meadow and an even more vocal Eastern Towhee near the Environmental Center, both species being a little late but expected here. Other lingerers included a Marsh Wren in the phragmites along the North Meadow and four Greater Yellowlegs working the mudflats.

Here is a complete checklist from the walk: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S15494070

Good birding,

Doug Hitchcox

Staff Naturalist

Maine Audubon

207-781-2330 x237

dhit...@maineaudubon.org