MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND REPORT

[RALPH ELDRIDGE]

I bemoaned the dearth of butterflies but Tuesday offered up around 20 MONARCHS, a handful of RED ADMIRALS, a few LADIES and a couple of ANGLEWINGS (Commas).
Tuesday also produced a solitary female RUBY THROATED HUMMINGBIRD, hopefully just the first to refuel from the PURPLE ASTER that's nearing peak bloom.

Raptors have revved up some.
1st; there's been an EAGLE hanging around and apparently over-nighting. The thousands of gulls are not impressed.
2nd; I've been seeing two PEREGRINE FALCONS that have apparently stayed on the island for at least 3 days.
3rd; at least 6 HARRIERS have moved through in the last 2 days. 

Wednesday, a dull BALTIMORE ORIOLE investigated the patio and, true to Murphy's way of running the world, it ignored a bowl of grape jelly and several orange halves. Instead it went toe-to-toe with sparrows, contesting for seed.

PUFFINS are still emerging. I conveyed 6 to the shoreline Tuesday/Wednesday night. One came banging on the basement door around 3 am and was quite insistant that it be admitted.