top of page

Peaks Island's Bird Lists, 2020

Michael LaCombe's (ML) and Sam Wainright's (SW) daily bird sightings from 2020 are shown below along with the number of birds for each species, weather conditions, and observation times.

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

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

By providing these lists, we hope you will compare birds seen within each month for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Lists Assembled by Patty Wainright

__________________________________________________________________

Christmas Bird Count:

Part 1 - Southern Portion of the island:

December 19, 2020

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
14.0 miles

ML
Checklist Comments:  By car and walking; sunny and cold, 14 degrees;
29 species

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  55
Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)  49     No large pods; scattered males present
White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi)  3
Black Scoter (Melanitta americana)  32
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)  2     Lower back shore, above Eighth Maine Cove
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)  16     These were everywhere along back shore and down front
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral Pigeon))  50
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  2
Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle)  4
Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia)  1
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  2
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  22     Surprisingly sparse
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)  2
Common Loon (Gavia immer)  1
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)  8
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  6
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  23
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  1     Brackett Ave. near ponds
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  5
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  1
Brown Creeper (Certhia americana)  1     At Evergreen Landing; found by Arria Carbonnea
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  83
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  33
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  2
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  16
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)  15
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  4

 

 

Part 2 - Northern portion of island:

December 19, 2020

7:45 AM - 2:30 PM
4.7 miles

SW
Checklist Comments:  With Patty.  North of Central Ave, Hussey Rd and Whaleback Rd.  Mike L. did S of that line.  Mostly walking, or with window rolled down.
39 species

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  16
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  24
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)  9
Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)  24
Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata)  21
White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi)  2
Black Scoter (Melanitta americana)  4
Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis)  50
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)  28
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)  2
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)  11
Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus)  3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia)  2
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  22
Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle)  2
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  13
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)  1
Common Loon (Gavia immer)  28
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)  15
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  6     All were individual birds at different locations.  IDed by sight or call.
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  9
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus)  5
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  14
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  22
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  35
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)  1
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  20
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  8
Brown Creeper (Certhia americana)  1
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)  2
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  32
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  3
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  41
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  6
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  32
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)  4
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  6

November 2020

 

November 22, 2020

7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
3.0 miles

ML
Checklist Comments:  Clear, cold, 32 degrees; three hours past high tide; ice on the ponds
20 species

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  11
Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)  6
Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata)  1
Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis)  55     Huge flock together in Diamond Passage
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)  2
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)  12
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) 40
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  4
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)  1
Common Loon (Gavia immer)  2
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  2
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  2
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  3
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  2
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  45
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  2
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  8
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  1

October 2020

 

October 24, 2020
6:50 AM
ML
Comments: Migrating with a purpose just after sunrise.

250 Double-crested Cormorant -- Five loosely associated flocks of fifty each, headed SW just off back shore

October 20, 2020

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
4.0 miles

ML
Checklist Comments: 57 degrees; 88% humidity; overcast, rising tide
19 species

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  6
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  21
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)  6
Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)  40
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)  7
Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)  6
Sanderling (Calidris alba)  2
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  4
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  5
Common Loon (Gavia immer)  5
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  9
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  2
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  18
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  15
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  2

 

September 2020

Note: No Tree Swallows or Red-winged Blackbirds. Double-crested Cormorants (red faces) are heading south in flocks of 20-25. Our wintering Great Cormorants (with white faces) are returning from their breeding grounds north of here. Look for them roosting on White Head cliffs in the evening.


September 15, 2020

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
3.0 miles

ML
Checklist Comments:  Quick scan of the back shore; high tide, overcast, 48 degrees, light wind, no humidity

9 species

Common Eider 90        Two large pods of 40 each; the rest scattered; no males
Rock Pigeon  9
Mourning Dove  6
Ring-billed Gull  30       Wharf cove
Herring Gull  6
American Crow  4
European Starling  6
House Sparrow  20
Song Sparrow  1

 

 


September 12, 2020

5:45 AM - 6:40 AM
3.0 miles

ML
Checklist Comments:  48 degrees; 85% humidity; one hour to high tide; clear; gorgeous dawn; last qtr moon; Venus high
12 species

Common Eider  60         Five pods of 12-15 each
Herring Gull  6
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  2
Tree Swallow  1             Boy did he miss his flight!
European Starling  2
Gray Catbird  1
House Sparrow  5
Song Sparrow  2

September 1, 2020

5:25 AM - 6:20 AM
3.0 miles

ML
Checklist Comments:  58 degrees; 91% humidity; low tide; no wind; partly cloudy
10 species

Common Eidet  14
Rock Pigeon   9
Herring Gull  5
Double-crested Cormorant   15
Great Blue Heron   1
American Crow  11
Gray Catbird   5
Northern Mockingbird   1
House Sparrow  6
Song Sparrow   2

August 2020

August 24, 2020

5:45 AM - 6:50 AM
3.0 miles

ML
Checklist Comments:
65 degrees, 91% humidity, sunrise 5:55, one hour past high tide
16 species

Common Eider  35
Mourning Dove  1
Herring Gull   15
Double-crested Cormorant   8
Black-crowned Night-Heron   1
Blue Jay   2
American Crow   7
Black-capped Chickadee   1
White-breasted Nuthatch   1
European Starling   5
Gray Catbird   3
Northern Mockingbird   5
House Sparrow  12
American Goldfinch   1
Song Sparrow   3
Northern Cardinal   1

August 22, 2020


5:45 – 6:40
3.00 miles

ML
Comments: 62 degrees 90% humidity sunrise 5:52; falling tide;
magnificent sunrise

15 species

14 Common Eider
6 Rock Pigeon
17 Herring Gull
7 Double-crested Cormorant
2 Great Blue Heron
1 Blue Jay
9 American Crow
3 Gray Catbird
3 Northern Mockingbird
12 House Sparrow
4 American Goldfinch
3 Song Sparrow
1 Common Yellowthroat
1 Yellow Warbler
1 Northern Cardinal

August 15, 2020
5:30 – 9:30 AM
4.00 miles

ML
Comments: 66 degrees; 81% humidity; high tide; cloudy; very dry- marshes just mud

26 species

16 Canada Goose
2 Mallard
2 American Black Duck
55 Common Eider
3 Wild Turkey
2 Mourning Dove
2 Semipalmated Plover
8 Herring Gull
2 Great Black-backed Gull
11 Common Tern
4 Double-crested Cormorant
2 Osprey
1 Blue Jay
4 American Crow
1 Black-capped Chickadee
9 Tree Swallow
30 European Starling
5 Gray Catbird
2 Northern Mockingbird
1 American Robin
1 Cedar Waxwing
12 House Sparrow
7 American Goldfinch
2 Song Sparrow
1 Red-winged Blackbird
1 Northern Cardinal

 

August 14, 2020
6:30 – 7:25 AM
3.00 miles

ML
Comments: 65 degrees 60% humidity sunny one hour to high tide; gentle NW breeze.

14 species

60 Common Eider -- Three pods of 20 or more females with juveniles sitting just off shore from GBBG’s
7 Herring Gull
6 Great Black-backed Gull
6 Double-crested Cormorant
8 American Crow
1 Black-capped Chickadee
60 European Starling
2 Gray Catbird
1 Northern Mockingbird
2 Cedar Waxwing
20 House Sparrow
1 American Goldfinch
2 Song Sparrow
1 Northern Cardinal

 

August 8, 2020
5:25 – 6:25 AM
3.00 miles

ML
Comments: 61 degrees 91% humidity 2 hours past high tide: sunrise (glorious) at 5:36- mackerel sky, no wind

16 species

45 Common Eider -- Forming crèches vs the GBBG’s
1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird
30 Herring Gull -- Congregating at Alderbrook and Seashore: on ledges as tide falls
8 Great Black-backed Gull -- Six at Alderbrook and Seashore Ave: on ledges as tide falls
1 Eastern Phoebe
5 American Crow
70 European Starling
5 Gray Catbird
2 Northern Mockingbird
2 House Sparrow
3 American Goldfinch
5 Song Sparrow
1 Common Yellowthroat
1 Yellow Warbler
1 Chestnut-sided Warbler
2 Northern Cardinal
 

 

 

August 7, 2020
5:20 – 6:10 AM
3.00 miles

ML
Comments: 61 degrees 81% humidity 3 hours to low tide; sunrise 5:36; mostly cloudy
14 species


35 Common Eider
2 Mourning Dove
8 Herring Gull
5 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Black-crowned Night-Heron
4 American Crow
20 European Starling
5 Gray Catbird
2 Northern Mockingbird
2 Cedar Waxwing
5 House Sparrow
4 Song Sparrow
1 Yellow Warbler
1 Northern Cardinal

August 5, 2020
5:25 – 6:25AM
3.00 miles

ML
Comments: Low tide, 68 degrees 80% humidity mostly cloudy no wind
22 species


1 American Black Duck
6 Common Eider
1 Mourning Dove
1 peep sp.
7 Herring Gull
3 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Great Blue Heron
1 Great Egret -- Thought I caught a glimpse of junior in among the rocks
1 Eastern Phoebe
1 Blue Jay
2 American Crow
1 Black-capped Chickadee
85 European Starling
5 Gray Catbird
3 Northern Mockingbird
3 Cedar Waxwing
1 House Sparrow
2 American Goldfinch
4 Song Sparrow
1 Yellow Warbler
1 Northern Cardinal

 

August 2, 2020

5:20-6:20 AM
3.00 miles

ML
Comments: Low tide; 64 degrees, 91% humidity; sunrise 5:31; no wind
16 species

8 Common Eider
1 Mourning Dove
9 Herring Gull
3 Great Black-backed Gull
1 Great Egret -- Coming off Cushing’s to Peaks at dawn
3 Eastern Phoebe -- Together, on wire, back shore
8 American Crow
60 European Starling -- At 8th Maine Cove
9 Gray Catbird -- Counted nine, heard many more
3 Northern Mockingbird
5 House Sparrow
2 American Goldfinch
4 Song Sparrow
1 Red-winged Blackbird
2 Yellow Warbler
3 Northern Cardinal
 



August 1, 2020

8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
4.0 miles

ML
Checklist Comments:   70 degrees, 80% humidity; clear skies; two hours to high tide
27 species

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)  2
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  2
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)  1
Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)  65
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  1
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius)  1
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  35
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)  1
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)  20                  A flock of about 20 very agitated, and grouped on rocks and in the air, City Point
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)  11
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)  2
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)  1                          On nest, Diamond sand bar
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus)  1         Hawking at small pond, north corner Brackett and Reservoir Rd
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  4
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  2
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  8
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  5
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  5
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  4
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  2
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)  2
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  1

July 2020

July 31, 2020
6:35 - 7:35 AM
3.00 miles

ML
Comments: Sunrise; 3 hours to high tide; 65 degrees, 91% humidity; clear skies

3 American Black Duck -- One female, two young, in 8th Maine Cove
12 Common Eider
1 Mourning Dove
5 Ring-billed Gull
10 Herring Gull
1 Great Black-backed Gull
6 Double-crested Cormorant
2 Great Blue Heron
2 Glossy Ibis
6 American Crow
1 Black-capped Chickadee
1 Tree Swallow
1 Barn Swallow
55 European Starling -- In one flock, right at sunrise, 8th Maine Cove
3 Gray Catbird
1 Northern Mockingbird
12 House Sparrow
1 House Finch
2 American Goldfinch
4 Song Sparrow
2 Yellow Warbler
1 Northern Cardinal

 

July 30, 2020

5:15 AM - 6:20 AM
3.0 miles
Checklist Comments: 70 degrees; 81% humidity; two hours to high tide; sunrise

ML
19 species

Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)  18
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  4
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)  1
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)  1
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)  6
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)  1
Merlin (Falco columbarius)  1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  3
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  4
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  8
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  3
Veery (Catharus fuscescens)  1
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  8
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  2
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  5
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  2
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  1

July 18, 2020

6:30 AM - 10:00 AM
4.0 miles
Checklist Comments:  Early dense fog off shore, temp increase 64-75 degrees; 91% humidity; 2 hours to high tide

ML

35 species

American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)  3
Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)  45                        Concentrated at Wharf Cove; some juveniles
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  2         Behind Battery Steele
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  2
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  13
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)  2
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)  13                                     2 off back shore, 11 off City Point
Common Loon (Gavia immer)  1
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)  5
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)  1          Brackett Ponds
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)  1                                             On nest, Little-Great Diamond sand bar
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  1                             Juvenile; yellow knuckles very prominent; near Great Diamond nest
Barred Owl (Strix varia)  1                                                 Brackett Church neighborhood
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  3
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  7
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus)  2
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  8
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  5
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  6
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  3
Veery (Catharus fuscescens)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  12
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  1
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  4
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  8
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)  2
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  3
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  3
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  2
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  1
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica)  1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  3

July 2, 2020

6:45 AM - 8:00 AM
3.0 miles
Checklist Comments:  Heavy fog; 64 degrees, 86% humidity; 2 hours to high tide; heavy surf

ML

19 species

Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) 

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  3
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)  3
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)  1
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)  6     One very large cormorant, standing upright on a rock.  no binoculars; heavy fog, couldn't make the call that this was a GRCO
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  2
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  2
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  3
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  4
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  4
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  4
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  7
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  8
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)  1
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  4
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  1
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  2
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  3

 

 

 

July 1, 2020

7:00 AM - 8:10 AM
3.0 miles
Checklist Comments:  Heavy fog; one hr to high tide; 71 deg

ML

18 species

Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)  64     25 juveniles, 29 female adults in 8th Maine Cove
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  3
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)  3
Common Loon (Gavia immer)  1
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)  4
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  2
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)  6          Together; wet, seemingly exhausted; approachable
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  4
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  2
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  3
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  3
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  2
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  2
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  1

June 2020


June 22, 2020

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
3.0 miles
Checklist Comments:   Low tide; cool, 61 degrees; heavy fog
24 species

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  1
Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)  32                              Creches in 8th Maine cove
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia)  8
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  29     

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)  4
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)  2
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)  2
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)  1
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)  1
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  4
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  4
Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia)  1
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)  2
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  3
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  3
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  2
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  5
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  6
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  2
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  4
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  1

June 14, 2020

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
3.0 miles
Checklist Comments:   61 degrees; 68% humidity; low tide; mostly sunny

ML
18 species

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  5
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)  2
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)  5
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  1                     On nest at Great Diamond
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  4
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  2
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  5
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  7
Veery (Catharus fuscescens)  1
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  12
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  3
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)  2
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  6
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  1     In smaller marsh, outer Brackett Ave; robin size;streaked breast, white supercilium, dark legs; no wing bars; dark bill; flew from reeds into bushes.
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  2
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  2

 

 

June 10, 2020

8:55 AM - 11:05 AM
4.0 miles
Checklist Comments:  56 degrees; partly cloudy

ML
33 species

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  2
Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)  7
Rock Pigeon  (Columba livia)  14
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  4
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)  6
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)  11
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)  1
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  1
Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum)  1
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)  1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  2
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  6
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  2
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  7
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  9
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  2
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  1
Veery (Catharus fuscescens)  3
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  2
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  14
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  1
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  2
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  4
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)  2
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  5
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  2
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  2
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  4
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)  1

June 6, 2020

Peaks NE quadrant

6:47 PM
Checklist Comments:   Seashore Ave N from Spar Cove to Tollman Rd. Part sunny, fog bank offshore, light wind, 70F, low tide.

SW
6 species

Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)  1     Hunting, near Ice Pond, across the street from "No Parking Pond".  Perched at close range.  Size of a cuckoo or skinny pigeon. about 5 dark bands on tail as it flew off.

 

Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  2
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)  1

 

 

June 6, 2020

7:30 AM - 10:10 AM
4.0 miles
Checklist Comments:  AM began with dense fog, humidity, 56 deg; cold front moved in at about 10, with clearing

ML
35 species

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  2
Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)  55         All 15 juveniles in Spar Cove with females; 22 females and 13 males in Wharf Cove
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral Pigeon))  3
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  5
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  9
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)  7
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)  1
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)  1
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)  2                          One each on House Island buoy, and Diamond Island sand bar
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  2           Both on Great Diamond nest
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  2
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)  2
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)  2
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  5
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  2
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  3
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)  1
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  11
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  2
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  1
Veery (Catharus fuscescens)  2
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  11
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  1
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  7
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  4
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)  2
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  12
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  4
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  2
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  9
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica)  1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  5

 

 

 

June 5, 2020

11:30 AM - 1:20 PM
4.0 mils
Checklist Comments:  63 degrees; humid; partly cloudy

ML
33 species

Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)  82          Quite a spectacle, in Spar Cove
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  2
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  7
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)  2
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)  1
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)  8
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)  1                  Ice Pond
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)  2
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)  1
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)  1
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  2             Both on Great Diamond nest
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  2
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  4
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  2
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  2
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  2
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  5
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  2
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  1
Veery (Catharus fuscescens)  2
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  13
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  4
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)  1
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  8
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  2
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  2
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  4
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica)  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  1
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens)  2
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  2

June 4, 2020

4:55 AM - 6:10 AM
Checklist Comments:  Five minutes before sunrise; one hour past low tide; 54 degrees and clear. South Shore near 8th Maine.

ML
27 species

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  4
Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)  9                      At Ryefield Cove at sunrise
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia)  1
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  3
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  6     
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)  2     
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)  27    In squadrons of 7, 9, and 11 headed up the coast from House I. or Ft. Gorges
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)  1                            Out early, headed up the coast
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)  1                                      An early arrival, from Cushing I. to Hadlock Cove
Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)  2     The pair, flying low, grim and with purpose, up the coast, likely from Cushing I.
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)  1                     Two DCCO's flew low, over Fifth Maine, and this SSHA flashed out of the trees, then decided not to take him on, and returned to his outpost
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 

Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum)  1     
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  4
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  3
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)  1                                  High in the sky, with distinctive deeply forked tail and brown undersides
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  12     

 Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  9                      A flock of them arrived at the tree top at about 5:45
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  6   
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  5
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  1                           Late arrival at 6 AM at thistle feeder
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  2
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  3
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  3

June 3, 2020

7:20 AM - 10:45 AM
4.0 miles
Checklist Comments:  Forties; near high tide; cloudy with intermittent sprinkles

ML
37 species

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  2
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)  6     

Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) (Columba livia)  3
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  2
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  12
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)  8
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  2
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  2
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  5
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  8
Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia)  3
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)  8
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  1
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  2
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  9
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  3
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  1
Veery (Catharus fuscescens)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  2
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  22
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  12
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  1
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  5
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  5
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)  1
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  7
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  2
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  1     
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  9
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica)  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  1
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens)  1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  6
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  1

June 1, 2020

10:28 AM - 12:26 PM
PI East Quadrant
2.0 miles
Checklist Comments: Seashore Ave N to Spar Cove, then to NE quadrant (Ice Pond) for 22 min, then return. Sunny, 60F, wind W 10 kn, low tide.

SW
39 species

Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)  42
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  2
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica)  5
Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia)  1
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)  5
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  2
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  25
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)  4
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)  17
Common Loon (Gavia immer)  2                                      Mature pair, feeding along the rocky shore.
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)  16      Some lounging on rocks. Some feeding, and apparently scaring up bait fish for gulls, terns at surface.
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)  2
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)  1
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)  3
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)  1
Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii)  2                          "fitz-bew" call at  Battery Steele
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)  1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  3
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  1
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  4
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  1
Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia)  8
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)  6
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  1
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)  1
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  6
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  3
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  27
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  3
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  5
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  17
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)  1
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  16
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  14
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  4
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  10
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  4

bottom of page