Welcome to the
Vinalhaven Sightings Report – Feb 3, 2015
With the kind support
of VLT and MCHT
Post 1 of 2
 |
| life and death at the feeding station photo by Sally Conway |
Psa – let it be noted
that most of this VSR was edited and arranged while listening to “Primus and
the chocolate factory”, so I apologize in advance….
In memoriam – a “VSR
tip of the hat” goes out to the life of Chandler Blackington
(2/14/26-1/14/15). Chandler was a sweet
man (and longtime friend of the VSR) who’s support of emergency services, island photography
and work with his “View from Vinalhaven” will be (and already is) missed. Personally, I
will miss crossing paths on the road with him, knowing that his camera was occupying
his passenger seat – at the ready to capture the beauty of Vinalhaven as only
Chandler could see. Grandson Isles told me “he had a great life” and there’s little more you can ask for than that. Our thoughts go out to family, friends, and loved ones. We hope “the view from vinalhaven” legacy will continue in some form.
 |
| purple sandpiper photo by John Drury |
Contact us – hey – send in your nature photos and sightings to vinalhavensightings@gmail.com
It’s an excellent place to share what you have been seeing.
It’s good to share – so please share, that’s what this whole thing is about.
Thanks – That said - thanks to those who have sent in photos and sightings this round –
so much we had to break it in two – and that’s great.
 |
| sapsucker camouflage photo by Jim Clayter |
Tiit trick – click on photos to make them larger than life! As long as “life” size is/was smaller than your computer screen. Anyway – clicking makes them bigger – go clicks!
Upcoming events –
Great Maine Outdoor Weekend Snowshoe – Well, in case you didn’t notice –
we’ve got lots of snow on island these days just waiting to be stepped on by snowshoes - (it is the dream of every snowflake to be “snowshoed” – trust us).
And with this in mind VLT
and MCHT are teaming up for a group snowshoe at Fox Rocks– Sat Feb 14 (how romantic) 9am. We’ll meet at Skoog Park (VLT office parking area) to
carpool. We’re going to “do the loop” which has been measured from anywhere
between 2-3 miles, which in snowshoe distances will feel like a bunch of
kilometers or something (the VSR staff is not good with metrics or systems). Will be more on the "strenuous" side of outings.
There will be plenty of beautiful views and tracks to see. Snowshoes are highly recommended, but not essential – have cramp-ons handy (if no snowshoes) for icy patches. The outing will be approx. 3 hours, so snack and water bottle (with water!) would be good to bring. Camera and layers are ideas too. It’s going to be “too much fun!” or something like that….
There will be plenty of beautiful views and tracks to see. Snowshoes are highly recommended, but not essential – have cramp-ons handy (if no snowshoes) for icy patches. The outing will be approx. 3 hours, so snack and water bottle (with water!) would be good to bring. Camera and layers are ideas too. It’s going to be “too much fun!” or something like that….
 |
| sharpie scratchin' photo by Sally Conway |
Highlights – Skin
Hill Sally Conway sent in some great photos from recent activity at her feeders. In
the storm (2/2) Sally spotted (and identified) this Sharp-shinned Hawk mackin’
on a local pigeon. I showed this series
to Leif and he was quick to point out that “well, pigeons don’t have many creature
powers”. As if this was bound to happen to a pigeon, they are food. Thanks kratt brothers!
 |
| sharpie mackin' photo by Sally Conway |
Also from Sally……Pine siskins, redpolls, and cardinals… Tree
sparrows as well...White-breasted Nuthatch, Junco, Chickadees,
 |
| siskins invading the lighthouse photo by Sally Conway |
Black-backed Woodpecker – Poor Farm Road – Terry Goodhue
reports multiple sightings of a female Black-backed Woodpecker from the Poor
Farm Road area. Drew Noyes observed the woodpecker shortly before Terry spotted
it in his yard. Seen between storms (so many storms to choose from!), the
woodpecker has not been seen for a handful of days now.
 |
| redpoll action photo by Sally Conway |
 |
| cardinals with an elephant photo by Sally Conway |
 |
| sapsucker chillin' photo by Jim Clayter |
At the feeders - Clayter Report- Pumpkin Ridge
in Jim's words-
in Jim's words-
It's been fun to track the (Yellow-bellied Sapsucker)
first arrived Jan 3.
He tends to not feed at the suet when the days
are warmer,
Hanging out in the maple tree searching for
grubs.
When it warmed up for two days, he
disappeared, and I thought him gone,
But he reappeared yesterday. (Colder)
Fairly tame.
 |
| redpolls photo by Jim Clayter |
Pine Siskins showed up Jan. 22, still in good
numbers (2/2).
Seem to prefer the niger seed
Redpolls still coming, but (sadly) not in great
numbers.
Thanks for the great report and awesome photos and video Jim.
 |
| old-tail high-tailing it outta here photo by John Drury |
Redpolls and Pine Siskins also reported by John Drury, Terry
Goodhue, Jim Clayter, Kirk Gentalen.
A stunned saw-whet owl was found by Roxanne Tolman up
Calderwood Neck way. Roxanne was able to get some great photos of the bird if
you have not seen her facebook posting.
 |
| merganser "on the rocks" photo by John Drury |
John Drury reports a Green winged Teal - (1/27) under the
harbor wharf behind the Fisherman’s Friend (good place to get things) – (1/28)
Hooded Merganser by ferry terminal
John also sent in some duck shots…
 |
| eye issue photo by John Drury |
 |
| baby on ice photo by john Drury |
So it goes… great Grey Seal and Purple Sandpiper shots from the
day. Eagle tracking in the snow. Eagles love those young seals, especially when
they are dead. "Dead seals are easier to catch than Great Cormorant babies" - old Estonian saying.
 |
| purples in flight photo by John Drury |
 |
| fortunately the murdered left this glove eagle tracks - photo by John Drury |
 |
| looks compfy photo by John Drury |
John also sent in these great otter trails and slide shots
from Greens after a mid-January storm (1/16). These shots from areas where John
has been tracking them for years.
And fresh after another storm (1/26). Happens to be a day when a big otter was also tracked “Across the reach” (like literally) at two latrine and marking stations on Norton’s Point. Circumstantial, but if its the same otter there would now be over 26 links between Vinalhaven and Greens Islands. More photos from Norton’s Point in the next VSR….
 |
| Jan 26th otter slide action photo by John Drury |
And fresh after another storm (1/26). Happens to be a day when a big otter was also tracked “Across the reach” (like literally) at two latrine and marking stations on Norton’s Point. Circumstantial, but if its the same otter there would now be over 26 links between Vinalhaven and Greens Islands. More photos from Norton’s Point in the next VSR….
 |
| otter track - Norton's point 1/26 |
Speaking of storms, they have been great for snowshoeing – and in my stormy loop outings (during the storms) from the porch the only bird I have been seeing is an American Robin. And not one of those dark ones from up north – no sir, this one is light (as a feather). So the harbinger of spring is here, can you taste the spring in the air?
That’s for another VSR…in a couple of days or so…part 2 coming up!
…and so here are a few of Leif enjoying the snow. hope you are too! 
