Bernard birds today: G B Heron, N. Harrier, W. Wren

[Craig Kesselheim]

Good finds today in Bernard along the Lopaus Point Road (Mt. Desert Island). A tardy Great Blue Heron, a female Northern Harrier (Jeff Cherry's bird from yesterday at Otter Point?), and a Winter Wren.

Just to put in a plug for the Merlin App, Before I knew it was a Winter Wren, I heard a call note I didn't recognize. I deployed the app's Sound ID feature, and immediately doubted the suggested Winter Wren ID. Perhaps it was an off-tune Song Sparrow's call note? A distant crossbill? Or my own bad hearing? But when I played a Winter Wren's song, the actual wren came immediately out to the road's edge and scolded me from 5' away. Seeing is still believing, but the Merlin app was a helpful aid.

Best,

Craig K

SW Harbor