Peaks Island Land Preserve, P.O. Box 99, Peaks Island, ME 04108
Peaks Island's Bird Lists, 2017
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.
These bird lists are listed sequentially - the most recent one on top.
Michael'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 and 2017.
Page Design by Marty
Page Assembled by Patty Wainright
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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