Magnificent Frigatebird over Matinicus Island harbor, 17 January

[Louis Bevier]

Jeff Wells relayed photos taken by Joe Bray on Matincus Island of an apparent adult female MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD that flew over the harbor on the island yesterday afternoon, 17 January. I have not seen the full resolution images, but the bird looks very similar to a bird found on the Nantucket, Massachusetts CBC back on 2 January. Needless to say, this is a highly unusual time of year for a frigatebird at these latitudes and really anytime in Maine. This age and sex is also a small fraction of extralimital records for the species. With hundreds of birders visiting the state, perhaps someone will spot this wayward bird.

Louis Bevier

Fairfield, Maine