Townsend's Solitaire

Kathryn Davis

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Dec 18, 2022, 3:09:41 PM12/18/22

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Townsend's Solitaire is still at Laudholm Farm in York County as of early this afternoon. Observed today at 13:07 on the boardwalk trail near the marsh overlook. I saw it in the same place that it was reported at yesterday -- in front of the Peter Phaneuf bench. It flew down from a tall pine/evergreen tree onto a small tree about 25 feet in front of the bench. Moved to a Winterberry bush where it ate one Winterberry, moved to another small tree and then reversed direction and headed towards the overlook. It crossed over the boardwalk and landed somewhere in a tangle of Winterberry bushes, just opposite the Loll bench. Got a few good looks and clearly saw the complete eye ring and the brown/rusty patches on the wings. Very gray bird overall.

Added benefit: just as I started on the main trail at Laudholm, a porcupine crossed the road in front of me, waddled over to a small tree and started eating the bark. It was unperturbed by me walking by. I saw it again as I returned to my car in the same area, happily gnawing on something. Again, it was not disturbed by me nor a jogger who jogged right past it within about three feet of it. Must be used to people.

chr...@myfairpoint.net

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Dec 20, 2022, 5:15:59 PM12/20/22

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Still there and in the same place as of late this morning. While photographing the Solitaire, I saw 2 Hermit Thrushes fly by.

Wally S.

chr...@myfairpoint.net

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Dec 20, 2022, 5:38:42 PM12/20/22

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Go to the Laudholm Farm website and look at their trail map. There are 2 ways to get to the spot, and I think I took the long way. Follow the sign that says "Trails." When you get to the fork that says "Barrier Beach Trail" or "Cart Path," you can either take the Barrier Beach Trail and then hang a left when you reach the Laird-Norton Trail, or take the Cart Path and hang a right when you reach the Laird-Norton Trail. The Peter Phaneuf Bench is just before the observation deck if you come in from the Barrier Beach trail, or just after the observation deck if you take the Cart Path.

Nancy Houlihan

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Dec 21, 2022, 12:24:44 PM12/21/22

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There are two Peter Phaneuf benches. Be sure to start looking at the one closest to the marsh overlook. I was successful with the bird several weeks ago, but spent quite a bit of time at the wrong bench.

Nancy Houlihan

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/1671574556.krny0qb5nowco0w0%40webmail.myfairpoint.net.

Ian Lynch

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Dec 22, 2022, 10:08:33 AM12/22/22

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I believe there may be only one Peter Phaneuf bench, but it seems like the entire family has a bench on that board walk as there are multiple Phaneuf benches. Right at 1:00 PM and right on cue, the bird flew in to that spot yesterday. It came from the side away from the marsh and came to the winterberry on the marsh side between the Peter Phaneuf bench and the Lolly bench (where the marsh overlook is). Lighting was difficult for photos, but good looks could be had from the sign marking the Red Maples. It ate and rested for a few minutes, not moving from the bush it was in.

This was after successfully observing the Broad-tailed Hummingbird at 9 AM in Freeport.

Peace שָׁלוֹם سلام

Ian

he/him/his

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/CAN3wsAc0rTaOHrmZsPK8ekHqhngpzgON_6Ey2v-0wuU%2BFBWf7g%40mail.gmail.com.

20221221_130222.jpg

chr...@myfairpoint.net

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Dec 22, 2022, 4:01:38 PM12/22/22

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How does one find out exactly where the Hummingbird is, and how to gain permission to view the bird?

Wally S.

Ian Lynch

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Dec 22, 2022, 6:56:21 PM12/22/22

to chr...@myfairpoint.net, maine...@googlegroups.com

This blog posts https://mebirdingfieldnotes.blog/2022/12/17/maines-1st-broad-tailed-hummingbird-in-freeport-nov-dec-2022/?fbclid=IwAR36LMHKejVZNbON0rTUJu5z4g5J32xN9RP6wogh1QHu3yOM1Ulvfe-AgYk gives a history of the sighting providing an explanation for the need for permission.

Here is the pertinent part for making the request:

Over 90 people have seen it now, and visitors are still welcome to view it, as long as they follow a strict set of rules. If you would like to see it, email us at freeport...@yahoo.com with a day that you are interested in going, and we’ll send the instructions and address the day before, as long as the numbers of visitors remain manageable each day and on our best behavior. To minimize the number of emails in the queue, please include the day in your original email.

Peace שָׁלוֹם سلام

Ian

he/him/his

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/1671742894.wicaqlol0ccsg4gk%40webmail.myfairpoint.net.

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