Re: [Maine-birds] Digest for maine-birds@googlegroups.com - 3 updates in 2 topics

[Loring Danforth]

In mid-afternoon of August 5 in the pannes off Eastern Trail in Scarborough Marsh, I saw what I have tentatively identified as a Spotted Redshank. I had scope views of it with Lesser Yellowlegs and Semipalmated Sandpipers and Plovers nearby. The two most notable features of the bird were its white breast with five or six large black spots on both sides and its red legs (tending toward orange). I base my identification primarily on these two features. It was slightly larger than the Lesser Yellowlegs nearby. The bill was black near the tip and reddish orange near the base. It didn't look as long and thin as the guide books suggest. The scapulars were scaly - gray fringed with white, and the lesser coverts were darker black fringed with white. Unfortunately I have no photographs. I would welcome any thoughts or other reports. Danny Danforth (ldan...@bates.edu)

On Wed, Aug 5, 2020 at 4:32 PM <maine...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

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• Cuckoo - 2 Updates
• Immature Yellow-crowned night heron-South Berwick - 1 Update

Cuckoo

Christine Murray <christ...@gmail.com>: Aug 05 06:15AM -0700 The repeated single note call is a Yellow-Billed, and I've been hearing them quite a lot this year -- and I'm not alone. eBird species occurrence map shows them in abundance for 2020. Perhaps there is a caterpillar infestation drawing them? I've read they have a population bump when periodical cicadas are out, but we don't have that kind of cicada in Maine.   -Christine   On Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at 9:04:20 AM UTC-4, NWDickinson, New Harbor wrote:

"Boots." <boo...@gmail.com>: Aug 05 10:54AM -0400 Don’t be fooled by chipmunks imitating cuckoos. 😁     -- *~Boots.*

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Immature Yellow-crowned night heron-South Berwick

DEBRA M POWERS <dmp...@comcast.net>: Aug 04 04:45PM -0400 I was surprised to see a yellow-crowned night heron in South Berwick today. (did not want its picture taken...lol). Unusual site for this area for sure! Best~ Deb Powers-South Berwick Maine   https://www.flickr.com/photos/143862779@N08/50188940852/in/dateposted-public/

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Loring M. Danforth

Telephone: 207-786-6081

Fax: 207-786-8333

4 Andrews Rd.

Bates College

Lewiston, ME 04240

[Loring Danforth]

Having done some additional research, I think the bird I tentatively identified as a Spotted Redshank may have been a molting Ruff. The bill on the bird I saw fits that of a Ruff better (shorter and not as thin). The black feathers on the white breast and the reddish legs also fit those of a Ruff. Again I would welcome any additional thoughts. Danny Danforth (ldan...@bates.edu)