Peaks Island's Bird Lists, 2017

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Michael LaCombe's daily bird sightings from 2017 are shown below along with the number of birds for each species, weather conditions, and observation times.

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These bird lists are listed sequentially - the most recent one on top.

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Michael's individual lists are submitted to Cornell Lab of Ornithology eBird.

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By providing these lists, we hope you will compare birds seen within each month for 2016 and 2017.

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Page Design by Marty

Page Assembled by Patty Wainright

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Peaks Island Bird List for December 24, 2017

A special sighting by Judy Fitch - a Snowy Owl on the rocks of the Backshore. A Holiday present for all.

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Peaks Island Bird List for December 7, 2017

Time: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

2.0 miles

Comments:  52 degrees; rising tide; partly sunny

18 species

 

Mallard  12

American Black Duck  7

Common Eider  44

Surf Scoter  4

White-winged Scoter  1

Black Scoter  19

Long-tailed Duck  1

Bufflehead  4

Red-breasted Merganser  4

Common Loon  7

Red-necked Grebe  1

Great Cormorant  2

Black Guillemot  2

Herring Gull  6

Blue Jay  1

American Crow  5

Black-capped Chickadee  4

European Starling  40

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Peaks Island Bird List for November 28, 2017

8:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Distance: 3.0 miles

Comments:  With Patty Wainright; high tide falling, 28 degrees, overcast

22 species

 

Mallard  40

American Black Duck  29

Common Eider  70

Surf Scoter  3

White-winged Scoter  4

Black Scoter  4

Long-tailed Duck  4

Bufflehead  6

Red-breasted Merganser  5

Common Loon  9

Red-necked Grebe  37

Great Cormorant  2

Herring Gull  20

Great Black-backed Gull  3

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  8

Blue Jay  2

American Crow  14

Black-capped Chickadee  4

European Starling  45

Dark-eyed Junco  7

Song Sparrow  1

Northern Cardinal  4

 

 

Peaks Island Bird List for November 24, 2017

Time: 11:30 AM - 1:45 PM

Distance: 4.0 miles

Comments:  Sunny, 46 degrees

25 species

 

Mallard  5

American Black Duck  17

Common Eider  66

White-winged Scoter  5

Black Scoter  2

Long-tailed Duck  18

Bufflehead  12

Red-breasted Merganser  2

Common Loon  3

Red-necked Grebe  3

Great Cormorant  3

Bald Eagle  1

Black Guillemot  3

Herring Gull  2

Great Black-backed Gull  3

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  30

Blue Jay  1

American Crow  5

Common Raven  2

Black-capped Chickadee  2

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Peaks Island Bird List for November 8, 2017

Time: 8:15 AM - 10:30 AM

3.0 miles

Comments:  With P Wainright; sunny, low forties, low tide

24 species

 

Mallard  17

American Black Duck  26

Common Eider  66

Surf Scoter  1

White-winged Scoter  3

Black Scoter  14

Long-tailed Duck  8

Red-breasted Merganser  5

Common Loon  1

Red-necked Grebe  6

Northern Gannet  2

Great Cormorant  1

Double-crested Cormorant  1

Black Guillemot  4

Herring Gull  11

Great Black-backed Gull  1

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  8

Blue Jay  2

American Crow  6

Carolina Wren  1

Northern Mockingbird  2

Song Sparrow  5

Northern Cardinal  3

House Sparrow  12

 

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Peaks Island Bird List for November 4, 2017

Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

3.0 miles

Comments:   High tide; forties; no wind; mostly sunny

19 species

 

Mallard  25

American Black Duck  12

Common Eider  60

Black Scoter  1

Red-breasted Merganser  5

Common Loon  1

Double-crested Cormorant  1

Bald Eagle  1

Sanderling  1

Black Guillemot  1

Ring-billed Gull  3

Herring Gull  12

Great Black-backed Gull  3

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  12

Blue Jay  3

American Crow  3

European Starling  9

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Peaks Island Bird List for October 23, 2017

Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

3.0 miles

Comments:  High tide; heavy overcast, fifties

18 species

 

Mallard  19

Common Eider  55

White-winged Scoter  2

Red-breasted Merganser  1

Common Loon  1

Red-necked Grebe  1

Ring-billed Gull  2

Herring Gull  40

Great Black-backed Gull  1

Red-bellied Woodpecker  1

American Crow  4

Common Raven  2

Black-capped Chickadee  3

Northern Mockingbird  1

European Starling  125

Red-winged Blackbird  1

House Finch  12

House Sparrow  12

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Peaks Island Bird List for October 19, 2017

Time: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM

1.0 mile

Comments:  Full tide, 60's, stiff SE wind and choppy seas, partly cloudy

12 species

 

Common Eider  28

White-winged Scoter  1         Solitary; could find no others scanning far out

Black Scoter  3                     Three fighter jets coming in low and fast; impressive!

Red-breasted Merganser  5    Very close to shore at high tide; the first of the season for me

Double-crested Cormorant  3

Black Guillemot  2

Ring-billed Gull  60               At Whaleback; close to shore; impressive!

Herring Gull  40

Great Black-backed Gull  3

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  18

American Crow  5

Northern Cardinal  1

 

 

Peaks Island Bird List for October 19, 2017

Time: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

3.0 miles

Comments:  Sunny, fifties, incoming

19 species

 

Mallard  4

Common Eider  45

Common Loon  5

Double-crested Cormorant  5

Herring Gull  15

Great Black-backed Gull  1

Eastern Phoebe  7            Migrating; 17 reported on Monhegan Island last week

Blue Jay  1

American Crow  3

Common Raven  1

Black-capped Chickadee  3

American Robin  2

Northern Mockingbird  1

European Starling  8

Song Sparrow  5

Northern Cardinal  1

House Finch  7               Migrating; many reported this past week on mainland

American Goldfinch  3

House Sparrow  15

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Peaks Island Bird List for October 10, 2017

Time: 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM

3.0 miles

Comments:  Beautiful morning, 70's, clear skies

22 species

 

Mallard  2

Common Eider  12

Double-crested Cormorant  3

Great Blue Heron  2

Bald Eagle  1

Black Guillemot  2

Herring Gull  15

Great Black-backed Gull  1

Northern Flicker  3

Blue Jay  3

American Crow  3

Black-capped Chickadee  1

Carolina Wren  3

Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2

Gray Catbird  1

European Starling  20

Chipping Sparrow  1

White-throated Sparrow  5

Song Sparrow  4

Northern Cardinal  4

Indigo Bunting  1

House Sparrow  15

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Peaks Island Bird List for October 8, 2017

Time: 8:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Distance: 3.0 miles

Comments:   With Sam Wainright; west winds, storm coming in from the west

20 species

 

Mallard  6

American Black Duck  6

Common Eider  28

Wild Turkey  16

Northern Gannet  2

Double-crested Cormorant  4

Black Guillemot  1

Herring Gull  30

Great Black-backed Gull  3

Peregrine Falcon  1

Blue Jay  3

American Crow  4

Black-capped Chickadee  3

Gray Catbird  1

European Starling  10

Yellow-rumped Warbler  1

Song Sparrow  8

Northern Cardinal  1

American Goldfinch  2

House Sparrow  12

 

 

Peaks Island Bird List for October 6, 2017

Time: 8:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Distance: 2.0 miles

Comments:  Fifties, heavy overcast, occasional rain

25 species

 

Canada Goose  12

Mallard  6

American Black Duck  12

Common Eider  60

Common Loon  2

Double-crested Cormorant  4

Black Guillemot  1

Ring-billed Gull  40

Herring Gull  12

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  12

Downy Woodpecker  1

Hairy Woodpecker  3

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1

Pileated Woodpecker  1

Blue Jay  4

American Crow  5

Black-capped Chickadee  4

Gray Catbird  3

Northern Mockingbird  1

European Starling  12

Common Yellowthroat  1   First year female

White-throated Sparrow  1

Song Sparrow  5

Northern Cardinal  1

House Sparrow  8

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Peaks Island Bird List for September 20, 2017

Time: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Distance: 2.0 miles

Comments:   60's, light rain, light fog

17 species

 

American Black Duck  3

Common Eider  40

Common Loon  2

Double-crested Cormorant  1

Cooper's Hawk  1

Bonaparte's Gull  3

Ring-billed Gull  15

Herring Gull  45

Great Black-backed Gull  1

Blue Jay  1

American Crow  4

Black-capped Chickadee  3

Gray Catbird  2

Northern Mockingbird  1

European Starling  18

Song Sparrow  4

House Sparrow  20

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Gilsland Farm Audubon Center Bird List for September 19, 2017

Time: 1:00 PM - 1:20 PM

Comments: Large group, three spotting scopes set up; License plates from ME, MA, and NY

3 species

 

Fork-tailed Flycatcher  1  Far end of farm field; large group gathered, with 3 scopes set up; bird very cooperative, started hawking as soon as I got there; spectacular site in the air; unruffled by the crowd, nor by the two NOMO's in the tree with him.

Blue Jay  1

Northern Mockingbird  2

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Peaks Island Bird List for August 30, 2017

Time: 7:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Distance: 4.0 miles

Comments: With P. Wainright; overcast, low 60's

26 species (+1 other taxa)

 

American Black Duck  7

Common Eider  95

Double-crested Cormorant  4

Osprey  4

Cooper's Hawk  1

Black Guillemot  1

Herring Gull  12

Great Black-backed Gull  2

Mourning Dove  4

Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2

Downy Woodpecker  3

Northern Flicker  1

Least Flycatcher  2

Empidonax sp.  1

Blue Jay  8

American Crow  13

Black-capped Chickadee  8

Gray Catbird  13

European Starling  45

Cedar Waxwing  2

Northern Waterthrush  2

Common Yellowthroat  2

Yellow Warbler  5

Song Sparrow  1

Northern Cardinal  2

Red-winged Blackbird  3

House Sparrow  16

 

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Peaks Island Bird List for August 25, 2017

Time: 8:15 AM - 9:15 AM

Distance: 1.0 mile

Comments:  Low sixties, sunny, low tide

16 species

 

Wood Duck  2

American Black Duck  2

Common Eider  8

Double-crested Cormorant  4

Great Blue Heron  1

Black-crowned Night-Heron  1

Herring Gull  5

Great Black-backed Gull  1

Pileated Woodpecker  1

Gray Catbird  5

European Starling  2

Yellow Warbler  3

Northern Cardinal  1

Red-winged Blackbird  1

American Goldfinch  3

House Sparrow  9

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Peaks Island Bird List for August 15, 2017

Time: 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Distance: 3.0 miles

Comments:  60's, mostly sunny

31 species

 

Common Eider  38

Double-crested Cormorant  50

Great Blue Heron  1

Osprey  3

Black Guillemot  1

Bonaparte's Gull  2

Herring Gull  30

Great Black-backed Gull  8

Common Tern  1

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5

Mourning Dove  5

Belted Kingfisher  1

Downy Woodpecker  3

Hairy Woodpecker  1

Least Flycatcher  1

Blue Jay  3

American Crow  2

Black-capped Chickadee  1

Carolina Wren  2                    At Tolman Hts.

Gray Catbird  4

Northern Mockingbird  3         One has just one leg

European Starling  12

Cedar Waxwing  3

Ovenbird  1                           At Tolman Hts.

Northern Waterthrush  1

Yellow Warbler  3

Song Sparrow  4

Eastern Towhee  1

Northern Cardinal  3

American Goldfinch  8

House Sparrow  8

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Peaks Island Bird List for August 11, 2017

Time: 8:00 AM - 9:15 AM

18 species

 

American Black Duck  3

Common Eider  35

Double-crested Cormorant  150    Jammed shoulder to shoulder on Ram Island

Herring Gull  50

Great Black-backed Gull  2

Eastern Kingbird  1

American Crow  2

Gray Catbird  5

European Starling  8

Cedar Waxwing  3

Common Yellowthroat  1

American Redstart  3

Yellow Warbler  4

Song Sparrow  3

Eastern Towhee  2

Northern Cardinal  3

American Goldfinch  5

House Sparrow  20

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Peaks Island Bird List for August 10, 2017

Time:  7:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Comments:   Sunny; 60's, low tide

33 species

 

American Black Duck  3

Common Eider  34

Double-crested Cormorant  8

Great Blue Heron  1

Snowy Egret  1

Black-crowned Night-Heron  2    Very near each other; absolutely motionless

Osprey  1                                  At nest on buoy off House Island

Ring-billed Gull  10

Herring Gull  150                       Large numbers on Ram Island

Great Black-backed Gull  6

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1

Mourning Dove  2

Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1

Red-eyed Vireo  1

American Crow  4

Common Raven  1                      At shoreline on back shore at low tide

Black-capped Chickadee  5

Gray Catbird  5

European Starling  7

Black-and-white Warbler  1         High in tree near AMRE location

Mourning Warbler  1                   In bushes behind Battery Steele

Common Yellowthroat  1

American Redstart  1                  High in tree in usual spot at NE end of Battery Steele

Blackburnian Warbler  1              At tree tops near AMRE location; responded to audio

Yellow Warbler  5                       Together in bushes behind Battery Steele

Dark-eyed Junco  3

Song Sparrow  4

Eastern Towhee  5

Northern Cardinal  3

Red-winged Blackbird  2

Common Grackle (Bronzed)  2

American Goldfinch  8

House Sparrow  30

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Peaks Island Bird List for August 7, 2017

Time: 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Distance: 3 miles

22 species

 

American Black Duck  4

Common Eider  30

Double-crested Cormorant  8

Snowy Egret  3

Black-crowned Night-Heron  1

Osprey  1

Bonaparte's Gull  1

Ring-billed Gull  10

Herring Gull  50

Great Black-backed Gull  8

Belted Kingfisher  1

Northern Flicker  1

Blue Jay  2

American Crow  2

Black-capped Chickadee  3

Gray Catbird  3

European Starling  20

Black-throated Green Warbler  2

Song Sparrow  1

Eastern Towhee  2

Northern Cardinal  1

House Sparrow  20

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Peaks Island Bird List for August 1, 2017 (part 2)

Time: 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Comments:   Watched for return of Caspian Terns, with camera, without success

15 species

 

Common Eider  15

Double-crested Cormorant  5

Turkey Vulture  2

Herring Gull  22

Great Black-backed Gull  3

Mourning Dove  2

Eastern Kingbird  2

American Crow  3

Tree Swallow  12

Barn Swallow  5

Gray Catbird  3

Yellow Warbler  1

Song Sparrow  5

Red-winged Blackbird  5

American Goldfinch  1

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Peaks Island Bird List for August 1, 2017 (part 1)

Time: 8:15 AM

Comments: Incidental sightings of birds on the way to Hannigan's market

13 species

 

Common Eider  6

Double-crested Cormorant  2

Herring Gull  1

Caspian Tern  3    Three very large red-billed, black capped terns diving in fresh water marshes next to back shore drive. Quite an        unusual siting for time and place.  On the way to the grocery store, so no camera of course.

Common Raven  1

Tree Swallow  1

Tufted Titmouse  1

House Wren  1

Gray Catbird  4

European Starling  2

Cedar Waxwing  1

Song Sparrow  2

Northern Cardinal  1

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Peaks Island Bird List for July 20, 2017

Time: 7:00 AM - 10:45 AM

Distance: 4.0 miles

Comments:  Sunny, hot, humid

32 species

 

American Black Duck  1

Mallard  11

Common Eider  45

Double-crested Cormorant  125    Most seen out on Ram Island

Black-crowned Night-Heron  2

Osprey  2

Ring-billed Gull  3

Herring Gull  200    On Ram Island

Great Black-backed Gull  1

Common Tern  1

Mourning Dove  11

Red-bellied Woodpecker  1

Blue Jay  3

American Crow  4

Tree Swallow  5

Black-capped Chickadee  2

White-breasted Nuthatch  1

House Wren  2

American Robin  1

Gray Catbird  12

European Starling  5

Cedar Waxwing  2

Common Yellowthroat  3

American Redstart  1

Yellow Warbler  5

Black-throated Green Warbler  2

Song Sparrow  11

Eastern Towhee  5

Northern Cardinal  9

Red-winged Blackbird  2

American Goldfinch  9

House Sparrow  18

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Peaks Island Bird List for July 17, 2017

Time: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Distance: 4.0 miles

Comments:   Overcast with dense fog out on the water; 68 degrees

31 species

 

American Black Duck  1

Mallard  9

Common Eider  8

Double-crested Cormorant  6

Black-crowned Night-Heron  1

Glossy Ibis  5

Osprey  2

Black Guillemot  1

Herring Gull  15

Great Black-backed Gull  3

Common Tern  1

Mourning Dove  1

Red-bellied Woodpecker  1

Blue Jay  1

American Crow  2

Common Raven  2

Tree Swallow  11

House Wren  3

American Robin  1

Gray Catbird  8

European Starling  15

Common Yellowthroat  2

American Redstart  1

Yellow Warbler  2

Black-throated Green Warbler  3

Song Sparrow  8

Eastern Towhee  7

Northern Cardinal  5

Red-winged Blackbird  5

American Goldfinch  3

House Sparrow  8

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Peaks Island Bird List for July 16, 2017

Time: 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Distance 4.0 miles

Comments:  Sunny, 60's; beautiful morning

31 species

 

Wood Duck  4

American Black Duck  2

Common Eider  12

Double-crested Cormorant  5

Great Blue Heron  1

Black-crowned Night-Heron  7

Glossy Ibis  2

Herring Gull  14

Great Black-backed Gull  2

Mourning Dove  3

Red-bellied Woodpecker  1

Blue Jay  1

American Crow  4

Common Raven  1

Tree Swallow  5

Black-capped Chickadee  7

House Wren  1

Gray Catbird  9

Northern Mockingbird  1

European Starling  22

Common Yellowthroat  7

American Redstart  1

Yellow Warbler  9

Black-throated Green Warbler  1

Song Sparrow  12

Eastern Towhee  5

Scarlet Tanager  2    By school, thanks to tip from Porters through Jim Lausier

Northern Cardinal  7

Red-winged Blackbird  5

American Goldfinch  5

House Sparrow  25

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Peaks Island Bird List for July 14, 2017

Time: 7:45 AM - 11:15 AM

Distance: 3.0 mile(s)

Comments:  Overcast, 60's

33 species

 

American Black Duck  5

Common Eider  13

Double-crested Cormorant  8

Black-crowned Night-Heron  1    Roosting above Ice Pond

Cooper's Hawk  1    In tall tree opposite Spar Cove

Herring Gull  45

Great Black-backed Gull  4

Common Tern  3

Mourning Dove  4

Red-bellied Woodpecker  1

Hairy Woodpecker  1

American Crow  4

Common Raven  3

Tree Swallow  15

Bank Swallow  7    Over Brackett St. Marshes

Black-capped Chickadee  2

White-breasted Nuthatch  1

House Wren  3

Carolina Wren  1

American Robin  5

Gray Catbird  3

Northern Mockingbird  1

European Starling  20

Common Yellowthroat  5

American Redstart  1

Yellow Warbler  1    No longer as abundant

Black-throated Green Warbler  2

Song Sparrow  9

Eastern Towhee  4

Northern Cardinal  3

Red-winged Blackbird  7

American Goldfinch  1

House Sparrow  12

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Peaks Island Bird List for June 22, 2017

Time: 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Comments:  Perfect day in 60's; high tide

29 species (+1 other taxa)

 

American Black Duck  4

Common Eider  47

Double-crested Cormorant  75    Approx 70 seen on Ram Island

Black-crowned Night-Heron  1

Herring Gull  40    Approx thirty seen on Ram Island

Great Black-backed Gull  2

Mourning Dove  2

Pileated Woodpecker  1

Eastern Kingbird  1

Blue Jay  1

American Crow  5

Fish Crow  3    Lower back shore

Common Raven  2

Tree Swallow  9

American Robin  3

Gray Catbird  5

European Starling  15

Ovenbird  3

Common Yellowthroat  5

American Redstart  3

Yellow Warbler  7

Chestnut-sided Warbler  1    Heard but not seen

Black-throated Green Warbler  5

warbler sp. (Parulidae sp.)  1    Possibly Wilson's; behind Battery Steele

Song Sparrow  15

Eastern Towhee  2

Northern Cardinal  3

Red-winged Blackbird  9

House Finch  1

House Sparrow  12

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Peaks Island Bird List for June 16, 2017

Time: 11:45 AM - 2:30 PM

Comments: With Patty and Sam Wainright; 60's, overcast, Occasional light rain.

38 species (+1 other taxa)

 

Wood Duck  4

American Black Duck  1

Common Eider  74

Wild Turkey  15

Double-crested Cormorant  6

Black-crowned Night-Heron  2

Glossy Ibis  1

Osprey  1

Herring Gull  33

Great Black-backed Gull  5

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  6

Mourning Dove  4

Pileated Woodpecker  2

Eastern Kingbird  1

Blue Jay  2

American Crow  7

Tree Swallow  12

Barn Swallow  2

Black-capped Chickadee  5

Tufted Titmouse  2

Red-breasted Nuthatch  1

House Wren  2

Veery  1

American Robin  5

Gray Catbird  7

European Starling  4

Cedar Waxwing  13

Common Yellowthroat  10

American Redstart  2

Yellow Warbler  7

Black-throated Green Warbler  3

warbler sp. (Parulidae sp.)  1    Possible black and white warbler

Song Sparrow  13

Eastern Towhee  4

Northern Cardinal  4

Red-winged Blackbird  12

Common Grackle  4

American Goldfinch  2

House Sparrow  4

 

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Peaks Island Bird List for June 14, 2017

Time: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Comments:  Sunny, clear, 60's, ebbing tide.

27 species (+1 other taxa)

 

Wood Duck  11    A female and ten ducklings

American Black Duck  2

Northern Shoveler  2    The male and female are still on Peaks.

Common Eider  32

Double-crested Cormorant  9

Black-crowned Night-Heron  1

Herring Gull  24

Great Black-backed Gull  2

Red-bellied Woodpecker  2

Blue Jay  3

American Crow  5

Tree Swallow  7

Black-capped Chickadee  4

House Wren  1

Carolina Wren  1

American Robin  3

Gray Catbird  2

Northern Mockingbird  1

Ovenbird  1

Common Yellowthroat  4

Yellow Warbler  9

Black-throated Green Warbler  3

warbler sp. (Parulidae sp.)  1   Song only; probably Blackburnian

Song Sparrow  7

Northern Cardinal  1

Red-winged Blackbird  9

Brown-headed Cowbird  4

American Goldfinch  1

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Peaks Island Bird List for June 7, 2017

Time: 12:30 PM - 1:15 PM

20 species

 

Common Eider  35    Three large creches of females with ducklings

Double-crested Cormorant  5

Turkey Vulture  2

Herring Gull  40

Great Black-backed Gull  2

Common Tern  5

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5

Willow Flycatcher  1

American Crow  2

Tree Swallow  5

Barn Swallow  1

American Robin  2

European Starling  12

Cedar Waxwing  1

Yellow Warbler  3

Song Sparrow  6

Northern Cardinal  1

Red-winged Blackbird  5

American Goldfinch  3

House Sparrow  18

 

 

Peaks Island Bird List for May 29, 2017

Time: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Comments:  Light rain, low forties, incoming tide; rough seas

27 species

 

Canada Goose  3

Mallard  3

Common Eider  32

Double-crested Cormorant  3

Great Blue Heron  1

Black Guillemot  1

Herring Gull  43

Great Black-backed Gull  8

Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1

Eastern Kingbird  1

Blue Jay  3

American Crow  5

American Robin  2

Gray Catbird  1

European Starling  14

Common Yellowthroat  7

American Redstart  3

Yellow Warbler  12

Black-throated Green Warbler  5

Song Sparrow  6

Eastern Towhee  2

Northern Cardinal  2

Red-winged Blackbird  7

Common Grackle  2

Baltimore Oriole  1

American Goldfinch  2

House Sparrow  8

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Peaks Island Bird List for May 19, 2017

Time: 9:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Comments:  With P. Wainright; sunny, mid-seventies, north wind

44 species

 

American Black Duck  2

Mallard  2

Common Eider  66

White-winged Scoter  2

Long-tailed Duck  1

Wild Turkey  1

Common Loon  3

Double-crested Cormorant  55

Glossy Ibis  3

Turkey Vulture  2

Herring Gull  10

Great Black-backed Gull  1

Mourning Dove  3

Belted Kingfisher  1

Red-bellied Woodpecker  2

Great Crested Flycatcher  1

Eastern Kingbird  1

Blue Jay  6

American Crow  12

Tree Swallow  7

Barn Swallow  1

Black-capped Chickadee  7

Tufted Titmouse  1

Carolina Wren  1

Veery  1

Swainson's Thrush  2

American Robin  5

Gray Catbird  10

Northern Mockingbird  2

European Starling  10

Ovenbird  5

Black-and-white Warbler  1

Common Yellowthroat  9

American Redstart  2

Yellow Warbler  16

Black-throated Green Warbler  7

Song Sparrow  20

Eastern Towhee  1

Northern Cardinal  3

Red-winged Blackbird  9

Common Grackle  1

House Finch  1

American Goldfinch  1

House Sparrow  12

 

 

Peaks Island Bird List for May 16, 2017

Time:  9:00 AM - 1:15 PM

Comments: With Patty Wainright; sunny, 67 degrees;

41 species

 

American Black Duck  3

Mallard  2

Common Eider  70

Black Scoter  6

Common Loon  1

Double-crested Cormorant  33

Great Blue Heron  1

Black-crowned Night-Heron  1

Sharp-shinned Hawk  1

Herring Gull  113

Great Black-backed Gull  10

Mourning Dove  3

Red-bellied Woodpecker  2

Downy Woodpecker  1

Northern Flicker  1

Eastern Kingbird  1

Blue Jay  1

American Crow  10

Common Raven  4    Nest found by PW; two juveniles seen on nest, and parent ravens in an adjacent pine

Tree Swallow  22

Barn Swallow  6

Black-capped Chickadee  5

House Wren  1

Winter Wren  1

Carolina Wren  2

Veery  1

Swainson's Thrush  1

American Robin  1

Gray Catbird  6

European Starling  16

Ovenbird  4

Common Yellowthroat  4

American Redstart  4

Yellow Warbler  16

Black-throated Green Warbler  6

Song Sparrow  6

Eastern Towhee  2

Northern Cardinal  6

Red-winged Blackbird  18

American Goldfinch  6

House Sparrow  12

 

 

Peaks Island Bird List for May 11, 2017

Time: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Comments:  With Sam and Patty Wainright; low fifties, partly sunny

47 species

 

Canada Goose  2

Wood Duck  1

American Black Duck  1

Mallard  5

Northern Shoveler  2

Common Eider  67

White-winged Scoter  1

Black Scoter  2

Double-crested Cormorant  7

Black-crowned Night-Heron  3

Glossy Ibis  1

Northern Harrier  1   Possible juvenile; out over marsh along Back Shore Drive

Black Guillemot  1

Herring Gull  20

Great Black-backed Gull  4

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5

Mourning Dove  3

Downy Woodpecker  1

Merlin  1    Kept its face from view; the clincher came with its dive, falcon-like pointed, back-swept wings and distinctive call, identical to that on iBird Ultimate; at outer Upper A Street deep in woods but on bare snag.

Eastern Phoebe  1

Blue Jay  5

American Crow  10

Common Raven  1

Tree Swallow  20

Barn Swallow  6

Black-capped Chickadee  8

Red-breasted Nuthatch  1

House Wren  1

American Robin  8

Gray Catbird  11

European Starling  4

Ovenbird  1

Black-and-white Warbler  1

Common Yellowthroat  6

American Redstart  1    At usual hangout, behind Battery Steele at north end.

Yellow Warbler  4

Black-throated Green Warbler  3   Upper A St. along road near blue house with pond.

Chipping Sparrow  1

White-throated Sparrow  1

Song Sparrow  6

Eastern Towhee  3

Northern Cardinal  10

Red-winged Blackbird  20

Common Grackle  11

House Finch  1

American Goldfinch  6

House Sparrow  12

 

 

 

Peaks Island Bird List for May 9, 2017

Time: 10:45 AM - 1:45 PM

Comments:  With Patty Wainright; mostly sunny, low fifties

35 species

 

Mallard  3

Northern Shoveler  2

Common Eider  100

Bufflehead  4

Common Loon  2

Northern Gannet  1    Unusually close to shore, and alone

Double-crested Cormorant  115

Black-crowned Night-Heron  2

Glossy Ibis  2

Ring-billed Gull  1

Herring Gull  40

Great Black-backed Gull  2

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2

Mourning Dove  1

Belted Kingfisher  2

Downy Woodpecker  2

Eastern Phoebe  1

Blue Jay  5

American Crow  12

Common Raven  1

Tree Swallow  12

Barn Swallow  13

Black-capped Chickadee  2

American Robin  6

Gray Catbird  2

European Starling  12

Common Yellowthroat  5

Yellow Warbler  8

Song Sparrow  12

Eastern Towhee  2

Northern Cardinal  8

Red-winged Blackbird  13

Common Grackle  6

American Goldfinch  4

House Sparrow  12

 

Peaks Island Bird List for May 8, 2017

Time: 7:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Comments:  Foggy, cold, intermittent rain, high tide

26 species (+1 other taxa)

 

Canada Goose  2

American Black Duck  2

Mallard  4

Common Eider  33

Double-crested Cormorant  30    North shore of Ram Island

Glossy Ibis  1    Flushed to tree by Canada goose pair who must be nesting in the Florida Ave. bog

Herring Gull  23

Great Black-backed Gull  4

Mourning Dove  2

American Kestrel  1    Dive-bombed Barbara's sparrows at feeder early in AM; spectacular.

small falcon sp.  1      Possible merlin out over marshes on back shore; broader winged than kestrel.

Eastern Phoebe  1

American Crow  7

Tree Swallow  7

Black-capped Chickadee  3

American Robin  3

Gray Catbird  8

European Starling  7

American Pipit  1    Walked out from undergrowth on back shore, turned around and walked back in, tail bobbing. 

Yellow Warbler  11   

Song Sparrow  5

Eastern Towhee  3    At "towhee corner" by city gravel pit; the bushes were alive with them.

Northern Cardinal  6

Red-winged Blackbird  9

Common Grackle (Bronzed)  3

American Goldfinch  2

House Sparrow  20

 

 

 

Peaks Island Bird List for May 7, 2017

Time: 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Comments:  Sunny, 51 degrees, high tide at 9:43 am

30 species

 

American Black Duck  2

Mallard  5

Northern Shoveler  2

Common Eider  33

Double-crested Cormorant  6

Ring-billed Gull  4

Herring Gull  33

Great Black-backed Gull  6

Common Tern  2    Out over back shore; first of the season.

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2

Belted Kingfisher  2

Blue Jay  1

American Crow  9

Common Raven  1

Tree Swallow  9

Barn Swallow  1

Black-capped Chickadee  4

American Robin  3

Gray Catbird  4

Northern Mockingbird  1

European Starling  17

American Pipit  1

Yellow Warbler  3

White-throated Sparrow  1

Song Sparrow  5

Eastern Towhee  5

Northern Cardinal  6

Red-winged Blackbird  11

American Goldfinch  2

House Sparrow  19

 

 

Peaks Island Bird List for May 6, 2017

Time: 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM

Comments:  Rain, fog, minor flooding around Battery Steele

25 species

 

American Black Duck  18

Mallard  5

Common Eider  67    Estimate 50% males; some juveniles.

Black Scoter  1

Common Goldeneye  2    With large flock of HEGU's and GBBG's feeding in Spar Cove.

Black-crowned Night-Heron  1    At bog on Florida Ave.

Glossy Ibis  4    At bogs Florida Ave.

Laughing Gull  1

Herring Gull  35

Great Black-backed Gull  9

Northern Flicker  2

Blue Jay  2

American Crow  14

Tree Swallow  7

Black-capped Chickadee  5

American Robin  4

European Starling  10

Yellow Warbler  1

White-throated Sparrow  1

Song Sparrow  8

Eastern Towhee  1

Northern Cardinal  3

Red-winged Blackbird  13

American Goldfinch  3

House Sparrow  17

 

 

Peaks Island Bird List for April 26, 2017

Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Comments:  With P. Wainright; low forties, rain, astronomical high tide 10.6 ft at 11:32AM

16 species

 

American Black Duck  4

Mallard  1

Common Eider  94

Black Scoter  31

Red-breasted Merganser  5

Double-crested Cormorant  8

Laughing Gull  16    With large numbers of HEGU and GBBG in Spar Cove, feeding on insect larvae just under surface;  a few COEI and ABDU with them.  Quite a sight!  Curiously, no RBGU.

Herring Gull  111

Great Black-backed Gull  14

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2

Hairy Woodpecker  1

American Crow  3

American Robin  2

Song Sparrow  11

Red-winged Blackbird  11

Common Grackle (Bronzed)  1

 

 

Peaks Island Bird List for April 24, 2017

Time: 9:45 AM - 12:45 PM

Comments:  With P. Wainright; sunny, high fifties, high tide

37 species

 

Canada Goose  2

Wood Duck  1

American Black Duck  5

Mallard  2

Common Eider  159

Black Scoter  55

Red-breasted Merganser  3

Double-crested Cormorant  128    100 standing at n. end of Ram Island, like neolithic statues.

Osprey  1

Black Guillemot  3

Herring Gull  5

Great Black-backed Gull  3

Mourning Dove  1

Downy Woodpecker  2

Pileated Woodpecker  1

Alder Flycatcher  1    At approximately same locale - Pleasant Ave by Baptist Church.

Blue Jay  2

American Crow  21

Common Raven  5

Northern Rough-winged Swallow  9

Tree Swallow  19

Cliff Swallow  8    Dark face, square tail, smaller than tree swallow.

Black-capped Chickadee  3

Carolina Wren  2

Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1

American Robin  2

Northern Mockingbird  2

European Starling  5

Pine Warbler  3

Yellow-rumped Warbler  1

White-throated Sparrow  1

Savannah Sparrow  2

Song Sparrow  9

Northern Cardinal  5

Red-winged Blackbird  8

Brown-headed Cowbird  1    Damn; the first we've seen on Peaks.

House Sparrow  8

 

 

Peaks Island Bird List for April 19, 2017

Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Comments: Cold, 40 degrees, mostly sunny, low tide

25 species

 

American Black Duck  5

Mallard  5

Common Eider  41

Black Scoter  13

Ring-billed Gull  1

Herring Gull  15

Great Black-backed Gull  4

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1

Mourning Dove  1

Red-bellied Woodpecker  1

Northern Flicker  1

Blue Jay  3

American Crow  7

Tree Swallow  1

Black-capped Chickadee  3

Tufted Titmouse  2

American Robin  3

Northern Mockingbird  1

European Starling  7

White-throated Sparrow  7

Song Sparrow  1

Northern Cardinal  9

Red-winged Blackbird  7

American Goldfinch  3

House Sparrow  5

 

 

Peaks Island Bird List for April 18, 2017

Time: 9:50 AM - 11:50 AM

Comments:  40 deg. with cold, north wind; partly sunny, low tide

28 species (+2 other taxa)

 

Domestic goose sp. (Domestic type)  4

American Black Duck  4

Mallard  3

Northern Shoveler  2

Common Eider  30

Black Scoter  14

Long-tailed Duck  2

Red-breasted Merganser  2

Common Loon  2

Double-crested Cormorant  1

Herring Gull  22

Great Black-backed Gull  3

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2

Mourning Dove  1

woodpecker sp.  1

Alder Flycatcher  1    fitz BEW - on Pleasant St. by the Baptist Church

Eastern Phoebe  1

Blue Jay  2

American Crow  7

Black-capped Chickadee  4

Red-breasted Nuthatch  1

American Robin  3

Northern Mockingbird  1

European Starling  9

Dark-eyed Junco  1

Song Sparrow  3

Northern Cardinal  2

Red-winged Blackbird  11

American Goldfinch  2

House Sparrow  5

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Peaks Island Bird List for April 3, 2017

Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

2.5 miles

Comments:  Bright sunny day, low tide, mid forties.

24 species

 

American Black Duck  2

Mallard  2

Common Eider  27

White-winged Scoter  1

Black Scoter  11

Red-breasted Merganser  2

Northern Harrier  1    Low overhead near Battery Steele; white wings, black tips, white rump

Black Guillemot  1

Ring-billed Gull  2

Herring Gull  6

Great Black-backed Gull  3

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  6

Downy Woodpecker  1

American Crow  5

Common Raven  1

Black-capped Chickadee  5

Northern Mockingbird  1

European Starling  13

Song Sparrow  9

Northern Cardinal  5

Red-winged Blackbird  5

House Finch  2

American Goldfinch  9

House Sparrow  13

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Peaks Island Bird List for March 16, 2017

Time: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

2.0 miles

Comments:  Bright sun; low thirties; no wind; rising tide two hours from full.

17 species

 

American Black Duck  4

Common Eider  23

Black Scoter  83   Still very much in evidence along back shore; females have 'cleaner' markings, seem more stately

Bufflehead  1   

Common Goldeneye  1    One seen, with the BAGO pair

Barrow's Goldeneye  2    Female bill color makes her a BAGO and not COGO

Red-breasted Merganser  8   

Common Loon  2

Black Guillemot  1

Ring-billed Gull  3

Herring Gull  7   

Great Black-backed Gull  1

American Crow  6

Black-capped Chickadee  1

Song Sparrow  3

Northern Cardinal  1

House Sparrow  5

 

 

Peaks Island Bird List for March 15, 2017

Time: 1:20 PM - 2:50 PM

3.0 mile)

Comments:  Day after storm Stella; 14-16 " new snow; cold, 28 deg. with brisk wind, high seas.

15 species

 

Mallard  12    Single flock at Oak Lawn

Common Eider  34

Black Scoter  113

Long-tailed Duck  1

Common Goldeneye  4

Red-breasted Merganser  5

Common Loon  2

Black Guillemot  2

Ring-billed Gull  1

Herring Gull  39    Large group feeding on surface ? insects, ? invertebrates, at Spar Cove

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  22

American Crow  13

Black-capped Chickadee  2

Song Sparrow  1

Northern Cardinal  2

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Highland Lake, Cumberland, Maine on March 10, 2017

Time: 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
Comments:  This list is from an off-island observation. A rare bird in Maine, the Western Tanager, is currently at Highland Lake. Please contact Michael if you are interested in seeing this beautiful bird.

With Sam and Patty Wainright; cold - low 20's, overcast, snow threatening
7 species

Blue Jay  1
American Crow  5
Black-capped Chickadee  3
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  2    Gorgeous soft grey chest colors
Western Tanager  1    Seen immediately upon arrival, in close-by conifer; then flew down to feeders and remained for photos for 15 minutes.  At one point, stole a mealy worm from the bill of a chickadee; with meals of grape jelly, grapes, and mealy worms, I can't imagine this bird will be leaving soon.
Northern Cardinal  1

 

Peaks Island Bird List for March 9, 2017

Time: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
3.0 miles
Comments:  With Sam Wainright; partly sunny; 40 deg. 22 mph wind from west
17 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  12
Domestic goose sp. (Domestic type) x Canada Goose (hybrid)  3
American Black Duck  5
Mallard  4
Common Eider  20
White-winged Scoter  3
Black Scoter  90
Long-tailed Duck  5
Bufflehead  8
Red-breasted Merganser  5
Common Loon  1
Black Guillemot  1
Herring Gull  7
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  8
European Starling  50
Northern Cardinal  4
House Sparrow  8

 

Peaks Island Bird List for March 8, 2017

Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
4.0 miles
Comments:  Just past high tide; low fifties; partly sunny
26 species

Canada Goose  5
American Black Duck  5
Mallard  5
Common Eider  47
Surf Scoter  19
Black Scoter  300
Long-tailed Duck  2
Bufflehead  17
Common Goldeneye  6
Red-breasted Merganser  3
Common Loon  1
Great Cormorant  1
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  7
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  1
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  3
Black-capped Chickadee  5
American Robin  1
European Starling  13
Song Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  3
Red-winged Blackbird  5
House Sparrow  9

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Peaks Island Bird List for February 28, 2017

Time: 9:00 – 9:20

Note: At 8th Maine a beautiful male Pileated Woodpecker is observed. Photographs are posted on Peaks Island Neighbor (February 28).

 

Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Distance: 3.0 miles
Comments:  With P. Wainright; high tide; overcast, low fifties, no wind.
27 species

American Black Duck  3
Mallard  2
Common Eider  51
White-winged Scoter  2
Black Scoter  91
Long-tailed Duck  6
Bufflehead  22
Common Goldeneye  8
Red-breasted Merganser  4
Common Loon  18
Red-necked Grebe  2
Black Guillemot  2
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  8
Mourning Dove  3
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  9
Black-capped Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  1
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  8
European Starling  40
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  2
House Finch  1
House Sparrow  20

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Peaks Island Bird List for February 26, 2017

Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Distance: 4.0 miles
Comments:   With P. Wainright; high tide; mostly sunny, moderate west wind
27 species (+1 other taxa)

Domestic goose sp. (Domestic type)  4
American Black Duck  8
Common Eider  40
Surf Scoter  3
White-winged Scoter  1
Black Scoter  38
Long-tailed Duck  12
Bufflehead  12
Common Goldeneye  1
Red-breasted Merganser  6
Common Loon  2
Red-necked Grebe  1
Bald Eagle  2
Black Guillemot  1
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Blue Jay  7
American Crow  23
Black-capped Chickadee  7
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  1
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  25
Dark-eyed Junco  3
Northern Cardinal  3
Red-winged Blackbird  1
House Finch  1

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Peaks Island Bird List for February 14, 2017

Time: 12:45 PM - 2:00 PM
Distance: 2.0 miles
Comments: High tide; day after northeaster
16 species

Canada Goose  4
American Black Duck  6
Common Eider  28
Black Scoter  70
Long-tailed Duck  5
Common Loon  2
Red-necked Grebe  1
Herring Gull  7
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  15
Mourning Dove  2
American Crow  5
Black-capped Chickadee  2
American Robin  11   Flock high in tree opposite Spar Cove; many reported this month in Cumberland County
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  1
House Sparrow  40

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Peaks Island Bird List for January 25, 2017

Time: 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Distance: 3.0 miles
Comments: Low tide; sunny, warm, 43 degrees; day after ice storm
17 species

Canada Goose  21
American Black Duck  2
Common Eider  16
Black Scoter  22
Long-tailed Duck  11
Bufflehead  7
Common Goldeneye  5
Red-breasted Merganser  3
Common Loon  7
Red-necked Grebe  3
Bald Eagle  1
Black Guillemot  5
Herring Gull  12
Great Black-backed Gull  3
American Crow  5
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  75

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Peaks Island Bird List for January 15, 2017

Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Distance: 2.0 miles
Comments:  Sunny; 38 degrees; high tide
11 species

American Black Duck  13
Common Eider  62
White-winged Scoter  3
Black Scoter  27
Long-tailed Duck  5
Bufflehead  19
Red-breasted Merganser  17
Black Guillemot  3
Herring Gull  7
American Crow  2
European Starling  17

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Peaks Island Bird List for January 13, 2017

Time: 9:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Distance: 2.0 miles
Comments: Sunny, windy and cold; rising tide; 42 degrees
15 species

Common Eider  43
Surf Scoter  2
Black Scoter  23
Bufflehead  13
Common Goldeneye  1 (female)
Red-breasted Merganser  8
Common Loon  3
Red-necked Grebe  2
Black Guillemot  3
Herring Gull  9
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  5
European Starling  27
Song Sparrow  1
House Sparrow  5

(Please Note: Lisa Lynch sees a Bald Eagle at the tower over Whitehead Cliffs, CI)

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Peaks Island Bird List for January 12, 2017

Time: 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Distance: 2.0 miles
Comments: Overcast, intermittent rain; 48 degrees; rising tide - 2 hrs. from high tide
14 species

American Black Duck  4
Mallard  4
Common Eider  38
Black Scoter  31
Long-tailed Duck  5
Bufflehead  14
Red-breasted Merganser  3
Common Loon  5
Red-necked Grebe  7
Black Guillemot  1
Ring-billed Gull  22
Herring Gull  43
Great Black-backed Gull  7
European Starling  11

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Peaks Island Bird List for January 11, 2017

Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Distance: 5.0 mile(s)

Comments: At high tide (09:32); windy, sunny day with high seas
19 species (+1 other taxa)

 

Domestic goose sp. (Domestic type)  4
American Black Duck  2    Hunkered down in marsh opposite back shore drive
Common Eider  49
*Harlequin Duck  3          Off back shore in high tossing surf; three beauties
Surf Scoter  11
Black Scoter  1                In with SUSC's off City Point
Long-tailed Duck  7          Off back shore, in high surf, alone, and close to shore; unusual
Bufflehead  11
Red-breasted Merganser  23   In one flock off back shore, in high seas at high tide
Common Loon  2
Red-necked Grebe  9        All seen in Whitehead passage
Black Guillemot  1            Uncommonly close to shore
Ring-billed Gull  22           All off Whaleback / Spar Cove
Herring Gull  42
Great Black-backed Gull  9
American Crow  13
European Starling  2
White-throated Sparrow  1
American Goldfinch  3
House Sparrow  18

* New species recorded on eBird for Peaks Island

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Page Design by Marty

Page Assembled by Patty Wainright

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