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