Here is the original post, started
on nov 16 I think….
Nov 17, no Novmeber 24th, no December 5th , 2018
Brought to you with the support of
MCHT, VLT & U! So thanks!
Highlights – Red-shouldered Hawk, Woodpeckers
including Red-bellied, Evening and Pine Grosbeak, Snow Buntings, Ducks
including Harlequin, Bonaparte’s Gulls, Palm Warbler, Winter Moth,
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| moth art by Heather White |
Winter Moth –
from the mainland and Vinalhaven – The “annual
later fall winter moth flight” has been extended over a period of days or
even more seen from Rockland to St George and on island. Bursts were intense
enough that Linda at the Friend welcomed me with the later-fall traditional
greeting “guess what was by my light the other night? Those (damn) moths!”.
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| Winter Moth art by Heather White |
Heather White, local artist and story
teller, has made the most out of the winter moth scene….with some art! I bet
she tells a good story about them as well! Thanks for sharing Heather!
And in conclusion - the word has been
out, and hopefully you all have caught wind of it, that the “parasitic fly which keeps winter moth at
numbers so low that they are not a threat to hardwood trees” has
established itself on island. The flies were introduced 5 years or so ago, and
word on the street at that time was it can take 10 years for the fly’s
population to grow and have an impact on moth numbers. That’s the good news. More
patience required…
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| Harlequin Ducks Photo by John Drury |
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| red-shouldered hawk Photo by John Drury |
Sightings – Little Roberts Island – (10/31) John Drury was kind enough to send in a
shot of some Halloween Harlequin Ducks resting on the rocks at Little Roberts.
Vinalhaven is along the western edge of the largest overwintering population of
Harlequin Ducks along the east coast. For years John would survey harlequin
ducks from Vinalhaven thru and around Marshall Island and all ledge and islands
inbetween from aboard “the Fluke”. Days of 1000 Harlequin Ducks were not
unheard of. Which may sound surprising as Harlequin Duck sightings from
Vinalhaven island itself are few and far between. State Beach and Lane’s Island afford some
good potential for crossing paths with Harlequins, and a scope can be very helpful!
Greens Island
– John also sent in some photos of migrants and feeder visitors he took on
Greens. Red-shouldered Hawks are seldom seen on Vinalhaven, but John seems
to have the luck with them…
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| red-shouldered in flight photo by John Drury |
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| palm warbler Photo by John Drury |
Palm Warbler –
one of our favorite migrants, this is a nice shot of one. you can almost feel the
tail twitching in the photo.
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| Hairy Woodpecker thinking about an upgrade? Photo by John Drury |
Hairy Woodpecker – checking out the “rival” technology. Love it.
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| red-bellied woodpecker photo by John Drury |
(East Main Street) - Red-bellied Woodpecker and Blue Jay visiting
John’s feeder. John mentioned the Red-bellied Woodpecker was taking food and
stashing it under eves around his neighborhood. Red-bellied used to be
considered somewhat rare in Maine but have gradually been expanding their range
northward. Sightings are still uncommon, but on a more common basis. With me?
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| red-bellied woodpecker in flight photo by John Drury |
John also reports of Evening Grosbeak turning up at his
feeders for a day or so. There was a wave of this unpredictable species that
came through the mid-coast region.
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| ruby-crowned kinglet photo by John Drury |
Ruby-crowned Kinglet on the ground – what a fall it was for Ruby-crowned Kinglets. I think I
saw more this year than the last three falls combined. They turned up in John’s
yard…
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| hauling kinglet photo by Sam Rosen |
… as well as on Sam Rosen’s boat. This 4.25 inch long RC Kinglet took a break
and looked for snacks in traps aboard the Minnamurra
a few months back now. Must have been cool to have it in hand. Thanks for
sharing the photos Sam!
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| ruby-crowned kinglet photo by Sam Rosen |
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| kinglet in hand photo by Sam Rosen |
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| raven head with beetles photo by John Drury |
Raven death on Greens – more from John – John also
sent in these shots of a decapitated Raven. The yellow dots on the head – and
on the raven’s back of the second photo – are Carrion beetles that are tapping
into this wonderful treat.
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| raven body with beetles |
The owl feather in the third photo gives clues as
the perp. And with ravens being so large and Great Horned Owls being year-round
residents on Greens things become pretty clear, pretty fast. An owl feather
being left behind may be sign of a struggle. Very cool – thanks for sharing
John!
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| raven and owl feathers photo by John Drury |
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| Snow Bunting |
State Beach – snow buntings, harlequin ducks, purple sandpiper,
red-necked grebe, common goldeneye….
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| Pine Grosbeak |
Long cove – 3 Pine Grosbeak
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| female Black Scoter |
From the ferry
– lots to see and continues to be! Captain
Pete tells of loads of Razorbills
in the middle of the Bay – the highest count I have had has been 24 or so, they are so fun to see. Bufflehead, Surf and Black Scoter, Common
Loon, Common Eider, Common Goldeneye, Black Guillemot, Purple Sandpipers
and for a time – a surplus of Bonaparte’s
Gulls. One noticeable “unnoticed” has been Black-legged Kittiwakes, but timing
may play a role in that lack. Anyway ....
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| Bonaparte's Gulls |
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| black ducks |
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| loons.....looking a little down |
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| this black duck has some mallard in him or maybe this mallard has some black duck in him..... |
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| purple sandpipers ... on the rocks |
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| black guillemot going butts up before diving! |
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| red-breasted mergansers |
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| common eiders |
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| crappy razorbill photo. the photo is crappy, not the birds! |
See you out there!
