Winter Wrap up 2011

Its been a long while since I posted on the Northern Maine Birds Blog. ...Just needed a break and figured the depths of winter was the time.

Its now the last days of the season and a good time to summarize the avian going's-on in Northern Maine over the past few months.

To generalize, the winter was a moderate one.

Temperatures were a tad warmer than average overall and snowfall totals lagged behind normal in northern and central portions of the area until early March. There was plenty of open water into January and for the first time in a long time, a New Year's Day polar bear swim was possible at Long Lake in Sinclair! Thanks to some windy conditions that scoured snow from open areas, bare ground was peeking through out in the fields for parts of all months.

The cone and nut crops were mediocre, but catkins and fruit were in good supply. Voles and other small rodents regularly encountered.

Feeders have been busy this year with a couple species of finches making good showings. Warm and open conditions allowed some half hardy species to linger late with some staying into the new year. Fruit eaters showed early and stayed for the duration.

As usual, overwintering waterfowl included Common Goldeneyes, Common Mergansers, American Black Ducks and Mallards. Two Green-winged Teal lingered until Dec 30 near Trafton Lake in Limestone making them the latest ever in my records. The Common Goldeneye flock near the Aroostook River Dam numbered in the low 30's through late January when cold temperatures reduced the open water.

The ME Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's continuing releases of Wild Turkeys in central Aroostook led to a first ever record of this species on the Presque Isle Christmas Bird Count on January 1. The birds were regularly reported in Mapleton, Castle Hill, Ashland, Perham and Presque Isle this winter.

Bald Eagles continue to increase as overwintering birds in northern Maine. Nine were seen at once a the Presque Isle landfill on January 1 and an adult was seen regularly in downtown Presque Isle as it hunted Mallards and Black Ducks near the wastewater treatment plant.

Paul Cyr got this picture of the Presque Isle bird on 23 Feb.

Northern Goshawks were also spotted fairly frequently this season. Adults were seen near Lake Josephine in Easton on 4 December 2010, Presque Isle on 16 December 2010, Ashland on 28 January 2011 and in Woodland on 9 March 2011. A Coopers Hawk was reported from Presque Isle on 5 February 2011.

Sharp-shinned Hawks were also around in numbers with several reported to be taking advantage of the avian crowds at some area feeders. Sharp-shins were reported in Fort Fairfield, Presque Isle, Caribou as well as this fat and happy accipiter that was photographed by Ernie Easter in New Sweden on January 17th.

Gulls departed the area by mid December and except for 6 Great Black-backed Gulls seen flying over Easton on 19 February, none were seen again until their recent return on 18 and 19 March.

There were no unusual northern owl species found this winter. Barred Owls were well reported and a Great Horned Owl was photographed on the roof of a building in Houlton during the first week of March.

Most notable woodpecker of the winter was a lingering Northern Flicker that was found in Chapman during the Presque Isle Christmas Bird Count on Jan 1st. A highest-ever count of 29 for Hairy Woodpeckers during the PI CBC was likely a result of increased numbers of observers rather than any population change. Northern Shrikes were spotted but in decent numbers with at least a dozen reported in the central Aroostook area since late December. Shrikes were seen in Caribou, Chapman, Presque Isle, Easton, Fort Fairfield, Portage Lake and Woodland.

Many observers reported lower number of Blue Jays around feeders so far this year, but Gray Jays have been well seen in appropriate habitat.

In addition to the expected Snow Buntings, the open conditions favored what seemed to be an unusually high number of wintering Horned Larks. A high count was 27 larks seen on January 23rd with a flock of 120 Snow Buntings and nearly as many Common Redpolls. The flock was feeding on weed seeds in a windswept fallow field.

Brown Creepers are generally a rare sight in most of the county during the coldest months. This year, however one spent the winter in my yard in Woodland, regularly visiting the suet blocks. Golden-crowned Kinglets also seemed to stay north in unusual numbers

Bohemian Waxwings came early (24 Oct 2010) and, thanks to a decent fruit crop, stayed in the area throughout the winter. Paul Cyr photographed this elegant bird on the Fort Fairfield/PI townline on 18 March 2011.

Though they usually vacate northern Maine for a few months in winter, American Robins also overwintered in small numbers with individuals reported in Presque Isle, Fort Fairfield, Fort Kent and Houlton.

Numbers of American Tree Sparrows seemed down as these were not reported in the usual numbers. Open conditions allowed Dark-eyed Juncos to linger in Caribou, Mars Hill, Presque Isle, Washburn and Woodland. A White-throated Sparrow lingered until late January at a feeder in Caribou. As noted earlier, Snow Bunting were about the area in numbers through the period. Limited snow in open areas certainly allowed them to forage successfully. No Lapland Longspurs were reported.

As usual, the winter finch scene was a mixed bag. Common Redpolls were the star of the feeders this year. After arriving in early December the birds were seen in moderate numbers through early January and then in increasing numbers of large flocks (200+) after this time. Paul Cyr's redpolls in the picture at the top were photographed in Presque Isle on the 8th of March. 4 different Hoary Redpolls were spotted in the flocks of Commons at my feeders (2 January, 6 February, 13 and 18 March). None seemed to stay long. Other Hoaries were seen in New Sweden and Castle Hill on 19 March.

Pine Grosbeaks were seen but in the lowest numbers in a few years. A flock of 14 flying over the the ski slopes of Mars Hill Mountain on 19 February was the high count for me.

Evening Grosbeaks made their best showing in years with double digit size flocks reported in many locations in central and northern parts of the area. Numbers peaked at ~60 in my yard on 13 March and the bright birds remain in the area to date. this bright male was at a feeder in Stockholm.

Very few White-winged Crossbills were reported. One in Ashland on the 28th of January and a pair occasionally visiting a Castle Hill feeder in mid-March were the only ones that I can recall. Single digit counts of American Goldfinches came in regularly from across the area. The only reported Pine Siskins were one seen in New Sweden on February 19th and a foursome that reached my year the following day. My birds departed four days later. NO Purple Finches were spotted during the Christmas Bird Count and confirm-able reports of these were just as scarce for the duration of the winter.

Now on to spring arrivals!

Northern Maine Birds 1-21 January 2010, NHOW Yes

So far January 2010 has been warmer and drier than usual in northern Maine.

By "warmer" I mean that outdoor activities can be conducted comfortably by a properly clothed participant and without danger of loss of extremities.

The first week of the month high temps were running in the 30's F, the second week saw chillier highs in the teens and now we are again running up into the high 20's. Lowest temps for my thermometer in Woodland was -11F on the 14th...Last year at this time, we were setting the record for the coldest temperature ever recorded in Maine (-50F)!

While southern Maine and the rest of New England has been getting steady bouts of snow, northern Maine has sat out the last few storms. Only 11 inches of snow has fallen at Caribou this month and about 9 of that fell on the Jan 2 storm. This is well below half of the expected snowfall for this period. About 6 to 12 inches is on the ground.

There are quite a few spots of open water on the swifter sections of streams and rivers.

With ample food supplies and favorable weather, the birds are doing well out in the North Maine Woods this winter. Finch numbers appear to be gradually increasing. Action at feeders varies depending on the reporter.

A large congregation of Common Goldeneyes is being seen in the open water below the Caribou Dam on the Aroostook River in Caribou. My last best count was 42 birds on the 14th. Six Common Mergansers have been seen here sporadically. The large flock of Mallards and American Black Ducks that is wintering at the Presque Isle wastewater plant continues to be harrassed daily by an apparent female Bald Eagle. The flock numbered over 70 ducks during the Christmas Bird Count on the 2nd but recent counts put the number below 55...

Ruffed Grouse have been well reported. Thanks to scanty snow cover, it appears that the Wild Turkeys in the Ashland/Castle Hill area are doing well. This northern-most flock for New England was released by Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in 2008 and 2009. Some Ring-necked Pheasants in Fort Fairfield are likewise enjoying the "open" conditions. Though certainly released birds, these pheasants are noteworthy when encountered this far north. Paul Cyr snapped a pic of two cocks as they made their way through the snowy stubble field on the 7th.

Wintering Bald Eagles have been widely observed in January. In addition to the bird fabulously depicted here in Paul Cyrs recent image, adults have been seen this month in Ashland, Benedicta, Caribou, Fort Fairfield, Frenchville, Island Falls, near Madawaska Lake in T16R4. Three were visiting ice fisherman at Arnold Brook Lake in Presque Isle and another was seen at Long Lake in St. Agatha. Several observers say they have seen more Bald Eagles than usual. Perhaps the abundance of open water (and overwintering ducks?) has allowed more of these birds to spend the winter this year.

A Northern Goshawk was hunting over a feeder in Wade on the 14th.

No gulls have been reported in this area since December.

The Blaine Northern Hawk Owl continues to be seen at the same location it was first found back before Christmas. Most recently, Paul Cyr photographed the bird on the 17th. There has been no further information on the Littleton and Chapman Hawk Owls since the initial reports. A report of a "cute little owl" found recently in a garage in Presque Isle was intriguing... The bird may have been photographed so more info may be forthcoming. A Barred Owl was also seen in Presque Isle on the 20th.

Woodpeckers have begun drumming. As expected Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers's have made up the majority of sightings, Pileated Woodpeckers have made a good showing recently as well.

In the hard-to-find category this winter, a Northern Shrike seen in Houlton on the 9th was noteworthy.

Large flocks of Black-capped Chickadees with smaller numbers of Red-breasted Nuthatches are being encountered in the woods this winter. An apparent abundance of easily foraged natural food has kept these birds from making much of an appearance at feeding stations region wide. Seen above, Tom Johnson was able to tempt at least one nuthatch into his Caribou yard with a handful of peanuts

Yet another aberrant-plumaged Black-capped Chickadee was seen early this month in Mount Chase. Unlike the previously reported melanistic chickadees in Presque Isle, this bird was on the lighter side of things. This leucistic Black-capped was photographed by Tom Sheehan on January 4th.

Rarely found in mid winter most years, Golden-crowned Kinglets have been regularly encountered in small numbers in the woods in central Aroostook county.

The fruit supply has held up well as the roving flocks of Bohemian Waxwings continue to pop up around the area. 60+ were seen on the 20th in Presque Isle.

The only noteworthy sparrow among the scattered sightings of American Tree Sparrows and hordes of Snow Buntings was a White-throated Sparrow visiting a feeder in Wade on the 19th. The dearth of snow cover has allowed large numbers of Snow Buntings to continue foraging weed seeds across the area. As many as 1000+ were seen in single flocks in Mapleton and Presque Isle recently. Paul Cyr photographed a few of the regular flock at his feeding station in Presque Isle

A Common Grackle continues to be seen at a feeder in Presque Isle.

After a slow start, finch numbers are increasing recently.

American Goldfinches are abundant with flocks numbering over one hundred reported at some feeders. Over 90 are regular at my feeders in Woodland. Purple Finches are present in small numbers, being seen in conifer forests with few visiting feeders. There have only been a handful of Pine Siskins reported and NO Redpoll reports thus far this winter.

Increasing numbers of Pine Grosbeaks and White-winged Crossbills are being spotted. Pine Grosbeaks were reported in Caswell, Ashland, Nashville Plantation and Stockholm this week. Small to medium sized flocks (less than 20) White-winged Crossbills were seen along the Beaver Brook Road in T14R5 on the 18th. Evening Grobeaks remain hard to find. Several of the bright yellow birds are visiting a feeder regularly in Castle Hill and one has been seen sporadically at others in Caribou and Portage Lake.

No additional reports have been received regarding the European Goldfinch that was seen in Presque Isle early in the month.

Northern Maine Birds 22-28 May 2009

It was alternately cold, wet or windy for most of the past week in northern Maine, making it a tough week for birding. Nonetheless, a bunch of new arrivals were discovered.

For the month thus far, temperatures were slightly cooler than normal and we had just a bit above average rainfall (3.14 inches). The cool weather slowed leaf development, which was helpful for getting looks at the newly arrived passerines. The chilly temps also caused some birds to concentrate around available food sources.

New and arriving birds this week:

Chimney Swift (5/25)
Great Horned Owl (5/26)
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (5/24)
Alder Flycatcher (5/23)
Olive-sided Flycatcher (5/21)
Great-crested Flycatcher (5/23)
Eastern Bluebird (5/24)
Swainson's Thrush (5/24)
Wood Thrush (5/27)
Cedar Waxwing (5/21)
Philadelphia Vireo (5/24)
Blackpoll Warbler (5/28)
Mourning Warbler (5/21)
Wilson's Warbler (5/28)

Seventeen species of waterfowl were reported in Aroostook county this week. As usual, the highlights are the continuing Ruddy Ducks and Redhead pair at Lake Josephine in Easton. The Easton Redheads were present at dawn recently when Paul Cyr showed up with his camera. Noteworthy was a flock of 14 Common Eiders on Christina Reservoir on the 22nd. 2 White-winged Scoters at Lake Jo on the 22nd and 8 at Madawaska Lake on the 21st were also good finds this far inland. An uptick in the number of male Common Mergansers was noted in the area this week by several reporters. Small flotillas of the drakes were seen on waterways in Connor, Fort Fairfield, Limestone and Presque Isle.

Wood Ducks, American Wigeon, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, both species of teal, Ring-necked Ducks and Common Goldeneyes were all seen in good numbers at Lake Josephine this week.

One of the nesting pairs of Bald Eagles in Presque Isle has ceased incubating their eggs and abandoned their nest. The pair in Fort Fairfield continues to sit on their nest, but it appears that the time for hatching has come and gone and they too, may fail to produce young again this year. For the third year in a row, a Northern Goshawk has nested on the hardwood ridge at the Maine Winter Sports Center in Presque Isle. As before, the bird does not take kindly to visitors near the nest whether they are on foot or pedaling mountain bikes.

A decent (and likely, final) wave of northbound shorebird migration moved through the area in the past few days. High counts of 22 Least Sandpipers and 80+ Short-billed Dowitchers were the peak numbers at Lake Jo on the 22nd. The last migrant Solitary Sandpiper was seen on the 25th in the Connor unit of the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge.

A Great-horned Owl nest with an almost-ready-to-fledge youngster was found by a couple picking fiddleheads near the Aroostook River in Presque Isle. Paul Cyr checked it out and sent along a picture of the nest.

One last Snowy Owl was reported in Fort Fairfield on the 25th!

A few arriving Chimney Swifts were seen despite the nasty weather. The first arrivals include one in Sinclair on the 25th, another in Fort Fairfield on the 26th and numbers reported in Patten on the 27th.

The cold weather produced lots of action around area hummingbird feeders this week. Several observers noted highest-ever Ruby-throated counts in their yards as the birds struggled with the low temperatures and limited food availability. Nadeen Plourde sent over a shot of the activity at her feeder at Square Lake. The first females were reported over the Memorial Day weekend.

Most of the remaining breeding flycatchers arrived on schedule in central Aroostook. Alder Flycatchers were first heard near the Little Madawaska River Dam in Caribou on the 23nd, Great-crested's were loudly announcing their presence in Woodland on the 24th and Yellow-bellied's were picked up in a bog in New Sweden on the 25th. Still no sign of Eastern Wood Pewee or Willow Flycatchers...yet.

A Horned Lark was singing in a potato field near the Caribou Airport on the 25th. After a long absence, the first Cedar Waxwings have begun to reappear in the area. The first arrivals I found were a group feeding over a wetland in Cross Lake Township on the 21st.

A Gray Jay family, including at least 3 just-off-the-nest youngsters, was encountered near the Madawaska Dam in Caribou. The big sooty gray fledglings were clumsily crashing though the underbrush as they followed their parents around the woods. Blue Jays are busy gathering food for their nestlings which should start to appear away from the nests in the next week or so. One of Mary Collishaw's Blue Jays posed for her recently.

A pair of Eastern Bluebirds arrived in my yard in Woodland and checked out the accomodations for a while. Apparently they found none of my nest boxes to their liking and moved on. Other bluebirds were reported in Portage Lake, Stockholm and Oxbow. Swainson's Thrushes were quick to establish themselves in wooded wetlands across the area and a Wood Thrush was heard singing in Mt Chase.

Warbler migration has probably peaked this week with the arrival of Mourning, Blackpoll and Wilson's Warblers... In all, twenty one species of warblers were seen in northern Maine this week. Mourning Warblers were heard in Cross Lake Township (formerly T17R5) and at the Connor unit of the Aroostook NWR. Blackpoll Warblers were heard in Cyr Plantation and a male Wilson's Warbler was back on territory along the Muscovic Road in Stockholm.

Small mixed groups of migrant blackbirds are still showing up at my feeders in Woodland. These include Common Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds and Brown-headed Cowbirds. The earliest-arriving local grackles have completed their nesting and are already feeding fledglings. Nadeen Plourde nicely documented a hungry fledgling on her hedge in Caribou

American Goldfinches and Purple Finches have started to disperse away from feeders but several of each are still making daily visits to my feeders.

A pair of Evening Grosbeaks are also stopping by, albeit more intermittently. Other Evening Grosbeaks were seen in Caribou, Cyr Plantation and New Sweden. After quite a few hours in the big woods this week I failed to encounter any White-winged Crossbills this week.