Today I traveled with Captain Jack (who, ironically, hates boats) from Port Clyde, Maine, to Monhegan Island for a few days of birding. Since we’ll be busy wandering and visiting, I’ll just be posting a daily list and a photo or two until our return. It’s been I believe five years, and I missed this place. (Woo-hoo!)
Port Clyde to Monhegan List
1. Herring Gull 2. Broad-winged Hawk 3. Double-crested Cormorant 4. Belted Kingfisher 5. Common Loon 6. Northern Flicker 7. Blue Jay 8. Mallard 9. Red-eyed Vireo 10. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 11. Golden-crowned Kinglet 12. White-throated Sparrow 13. Dark-eyed Junco 14. Yellow Warbler 15. Gray Catbird 16. Red-breasted Nuthatch 17. Ring-necked Pheasant 18. Great Cormorant 19. Merlin 20. Peregrine Falcon 21. Cape May Warbler 22. Yellow-rumped Warbler 23. Blackpoll Warbler 24. Black-throated Green Warbler 25. Dickcissel 26. Song Sparrow 27. American Goldfinch 28. American Robin 29. Mourning Dove 30. Sharp-shinned Hawk
No clouds in the sky this fair morning, but a light wind blowing from the west. Few birds to start, but it seems at this time of year they’re moving around in the edges, readying for migration.
Most notable? A cooperative Swainson’s Thrush that posed for me. I’ve seen so few of these—maybe four or five, tops—that it’s still a thrill. Especially when I have photographic proof. Also noteworthy: another Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and a little wave of Yellow-rumped Warblers.
Nice species count today. What count might I have tomorrow? I wonder.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:30 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Northern Flicker (v) 2. American Crow* 3. Red-eyed Vireo 4. Black-capped Chickadee 5. American Robin (v) 6. Cedar Waxwing 7. Red-breasted Nuthatch** 8. Eastern Towhee 9. Gray Catbird 10. Swainson’s Thrush 11. American Goldfinch 12. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 13. Common Yellowthroat (v) 14. Blue Jay** 15. Yellow-rumped Warbler 16. Eastern Phoebe 17. Song Sparrow 18. Herring Gull* 19. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 20. Yellow Warbler 21. Savannah Sparrow 22. Tufted Titmouse (v) 23. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 24. Pileated Woodpecker (v)
Elsewhere
25. Mourning Dove
Mammals
Eastern Chipmunk
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Another in a string of fair, cool mornings. When much of the rest of the country is suffering through heat waves and droughts and fires and flooding, dog and I are particularly lucky in these challenging days.
Plus, I had thirty bird species on my list today. Notable: a gull in the woods (?), first Hermit Thrush in a while, first Veery in a while, first Ovenbird in a while, first Savannah Sparrow in a while. The latter, in particular rather thrilled me.
What a lovely morning. To be followed by a day of rain—or so they say.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:40 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Black-capped Chickadee 2. American Crow 3. Red-eyed Vireo 4. Red-bellied Woodpecker 5. Ovenbird 6. Herring Gull 7. Brown Creeper 8. Hermit Thrush 9. White-breasted Nuthatch 10. Tufted Titmouse 11. Red-breasted Nuthatch 12. Eastern Towhee 13. Veery 14. Gray Catbird 15. American Goldfinch 16. Hairy Woodpecker 17. Song Sparrow 18. Yellow-rumped Warbler 19. Purple Finch 20. Common Yellowthroat 21. Savannah Sparrow 22. Field Sparrow 23. Cedar Waxwing 24. Rose-breasted Grosbeak 25. Yellow Warbler 26. Ruby-throated Hummingbird 27. Eastern Phoebe 28. Blue Jay 29. Least Flycatcher 30. Northern Flicker
Elsewhere
31. Northern Cardinal 32. Carolina Wren
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel Eastern Chipmunk
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
