Nighthawks passing 8/27

In recent years I try to spend some time, from mid to late August, looking for migrating Common Nighthawks from the High Ridge Wildlife Management Area. From this vantage point I have a nice view to the east south east toward the city of Fitchburg, Mass. The first few years 2001,2002 and 2003 I was watching for my own curiosity and to compair my numbers with others. Observers such as Fran McMenemy, Bart Kamp, Shiela Carrol and Mark Lynch have tallied excellent numbers (some evenings counting 1000+ nighthawks!) from various points within and near the city of Worcester, Ma.

More recently, I have fed my data into a more formal nighthawk survey, organized by Jeff Slovin and Hank Norwood.

The survey web site can be found here: http://borobirding.net/nighthawks/

To date I have been out 5 times, all from the Westminster section of this WMA, with the following results:

8/12......9
8/14......3
8/21.....11
8/26.....59
8/27....221

It appears the major numbers have a little bit later than previous years, not only from my site but from others within the survey area. Sunday evening appeared to be the beginning of the major migration

Mount Madison and Adams (White Mtns.) 8/5 and 8/6

My girl friend Laura and I did some hiking in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains of New Hampshire last week. This was an overnight stay at the Madison AMC Hut, located on the col between Mt. Madison and Mt. Adams, both 5,000+ peaks above tree line.
The first day we'd hike 3.7 miles on the Airline Trail to the Madison Hut (a 3,500 foot climb), drop our packs at the hut and continue the final 1/2 mile to the Madison summit with a minimum of gear. Bird song was quite sparse, being very late in the breeding season, but Hermit Thrushes and Red-eyed Vireo were heard at lower elevations on the climb. Family groups of Golden-crowned Kinglets, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and both species of Chickadees (Boreals were at the higher elevations in spruces) were present.

Red-breasted Nuthatch
Boreal Chickadees

Once we broke the tree line the views were spectacular looking up the "Knife's Edge", a sharp ridge line, that the Airline Trail follows to Mt. Adams. It took about 4 hours to reach the hut, the occasional stop for birds, water breaks and to enjoy the views...no speed records on this trip. I did manage to see one Bicknell's Thrush at the edge of the tree line, I had a nice look and was able to rule out Swainson's and Hermit Thrushes. Once reaching the alpine zone Dark-eyed Junco and White-throated Sparrows were quite common. I am enjoying the view with the Madison summit in the back ground.

It was nice to leave the packs at the hut, as the climb to the summit of Mount Madison, from the hut, is essentially like climbing a 500 foot rock pile. A few Ravens were seen in the area and 3 Pine Siskins flew overhead calling near the summit.

The Air Line Trail follows this sharp ridge line to Mt. Adams, a side trail leads to the Hut and Mt Madison.

Mt. Jefferson (far left) and Mt. Adams (center) from atop Mt. Madison

Madison Hut photographed from the climb of Mt Adams, with Mt Madison in the background

Mount Washington from atop Madison, note the auto road (left) and the plume of smoke from the Cog Rail Road just to the right of the summit.

The accomadations at the hut were very nice, a friendly staff, home cooked dinner (pea soup and stuffed shells) and breakfast (home made bread, oatmeal, scrambled eggs). Sleeping arrangments are 2 co-ed bunk rooms with 26 people per room. It had been years since I slept in a bunk, so took the forth level.

Monday morning was gloomy, rain was expect in the afternoon and thunders stroms later in the afternoon. So we left our packs taking only water, a snack and light rain gear, to summit Mt. Adams, a rocky 1,000 ft. climb (see below). After 10 minutes on the summit some rain began (about 5 hours early) and we quickly headed back to the hut, to avoid being above tree line if lightening should arrive. While the wind was not too strong, the combination of wind and rain made conditions cool enough to numb the hands. We made it back to the hut before the heavy rain began, traveling light worked well for moving over the wet rocks.

The rocky trail up Mt. Adams
A "low" cloud moving over Mt. Washington

After reaching the hut and gathering up our packs, we headed back to the car down the Valley Way Trail in the rain. This worked well because this trail get one back below tree line a few hundred yards from the hut, giving shelter from wind , rain and later some lightening. I heard a few more Boreal Chickadees on the hike down but little else. This more sheltered trail may have been better for birding than Air Line Trail, but the Air Line offers more dramatic views but less protection in fowl weather.

Alna, Maine 7/29

This past weekend I visited my friend Thom and his girlfriend Sue in Mid-coast Maine, just inland from Wisscasset. From 1986 to 2001 Thom was "THE man" hawkwatching from Mount Watatic in Ashburnham, Ma., tallying some impressive flights with the likes of Paul Pinault, Petti Staub and a host of others. He has found a few nice spots in mid-coast maine ...Cleary Hill (Spelling?) and Blinn Hill near Alna. But, his best flights have come from his back yard, in mid -september of 2002 he counted over 4,700 Broad-wing Hawks (single day count)from his yard and and has other counts of over 1,000 BW's in his person log.
Thom watching a distant Bald Eagle from his field

Most of the day Sunday, while sipping iced coke and the occasional Shipyard Ale, we sat at his picnic table recalibrating our eyes for the upcoming hawkwatch season. Raptors aren't yet migrating , but there is a good variety of raptors in the area....and we saw some. Thom noticed his "have-a-heart trap" had the doors down, a tenant! On the walk to the cage the subject of skunks came up, "wouldn't that stink!", and some one was listening! "Hey Thom, that woodchuck is black and white!" Fortunately, it was a youngster, and it was carefully (and safely) released with the help of a long handled garden tool.

Caged skunk, digi-binned from a safe distance
Thom carefully releasing the skunk

one of 5 Bluebirds, including some fledglings that entertained us.

One of two adult Wild Turkeys, when they cross the mowed path we counted 20 polts following.

The yard list for the day:
Wild Turkey...22
Great Blue Heron...1
Turkey Vulture...3
Osprey...2
Bald Eagle...2 adutls
Sharp-shinned Hawk...1
Cooper's Hawk...2
Broad-winged Hawk...2
Red-tailed Hawk...1
American Kestrel...1
Laughing Gull...4 nice surprise, this location is inland but they probably follow the Sheepscot River inland.
Herring Gull...100
Rock Pigeon...8
Mourning Dove...4
Chimney Swift...4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird...2 one chasing crows
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker...2
Downy Woodpecker...1
Hairy Woodpecker...2
Northern Flicker...2
Alder Flycatcher...1
Eastern Phoebe...3
Blue Jay...10
American Crow...10
Common Raven...3
Tree Swallow...5
Cliff Swallow...1
Barn Swallow...12
Black-capped Chickadee...4
Tufted Titmouse...1
Red-breasted Nuthatch...1
White-breasted Nuthatch...1
Brown Creeper...1
Eastern Bluebird...4
Veery...1
Hermit Thrush...2
American Robin...5
Gray Catbird...2
European Starling...5
Cedar Waxwing...10
Yellow-rumped Warbler...1
Pine Warbler...1
Common Yellowthroat...3
Chipping Sparrow...1
Song Sparrow...3
Bobolink...30
Red-winged Blackbird...3
Common Grackle...4
Brown-headed Cowbird...1 fledgling tended by an Eastern Phoebe
American Goldfinch...10
Evening Grosbeak...4 all female types
House Sparrow...2

Pleasant Mountain 7/26 (Denmark, Me.)

During the morning of 7/26 I hiked (4.6 mile round trip at a leisurely pace with time to enjoy the views) the South West trail up Pleasant Mountain. I read this is highest point in the Sebago/Long Lake area at about 2009 feet. This trail is supposed to one of the least traveled, up this popular hiking destination, and the only people (7) I saw were near the summit.

Red-eyed Vireos were quite vocal while the Ovenbirds are now silent, I saw a only one during the hike but heard none. It was a hot morning, and late in the breeding season so bird song was no where near peak, but Hermit Thrushes, Scarlet Tanagers were still going strong with the R.E. Vireos.

Wildflowers were nice.
Harebell
I don't know what these little flowers are (comments welcome)
Out of focus Eastern Towhee (Juvenile)

I had chosen this trail because the guide had said there were nice views nearly all the way up to the fire tower atop the the summit. A assortment of lakes, ponds, wetlands and the distant White Mtns of New Hampshire make for good scenery even with the day's triple H weather.

Black Swamp with Pleasant Pond (back), the marsh around the center pond is about 3/4 mile across.

Through my binoculars I could make out loons on Beaver Pond (below), there was smaller ripples coming from near the adults, which I assumed were young.
Beaver Pond

One of the highlights, was a brief sighting of a black bear, in a small area of low bush blueberry, I heard a heavy animal moving then saw its head as it ambled off. I clapped my hands and made a little noise to be certain it moved on.....as I had to pass where it was (was being the key word). But, generally bears are quite skittish, in my limited experience.

The bird life was basically a very similar to what is found in north central Massachusetts, while further south is at a very similar elevation, here is the list:

Ruffed Grouse...2 flushed along the trail
Common Loon...2 also appeared to young with them
Mourning Dove...1
Northern Flicker...1
Pileated Woodpecker...1
Eastern Wood-Pewee...1
Red-eyed Vireo...8
Blue Jay...3
American Crow...2
Tree Swallow...1
Barn Swallow...1
Black-capped Chickadee...5
Red-breasted Nuthatch...3
White-breasted Nuthatch...2
Winter Wren...2
Hermit Thrush...8
Cedar Waxwing...6
Nashville Warbler...1
Yellow-rumped Warbler..3
Black-throated Green Warbler...1
Pine Warbler...1
Black-and-white Warbler...1
Ovenbird...1
Scarlet Tanager...5
Eastern Towhee...2
Dark-eyed Junco...6
House Finch...2 biggest surprise given the habitat
American Goldfinch....1

Long Lake, Harrison Maine

I spent most of last week on Long Lake, Maine doing a little kayaking, canoeing, sailing, reading, loafing, hiking and some casual birding. There are Common Loons on this lake and I can usually keep tabs on a pair near Cape Monday. In the previous 5 years I've been to this area either the adults did not have any young or they'd been "lost" during the time I was there (usually a week). There is a good deal of power boat traffic..of course the few boaters I've spoken with usually lay the blame on snapping turtles.
The good news this year is the young seemed to have grown to a decent size and both where still doing well when I left on 7/28. The parents seem to be doing a good job keeping the family out of harms way, though a few times both youngsters were off on their own, a few hundred meters from the adutls, but just for a few minutes.

While sailing on the main lake during the week, I saw another pair with two chicks. These 2 chicks appeared to about a 1/3 larger than the birds photographed below, making life on the "big water" a bit easier.

Common Loons with young on Long Lake (Cape Monday area).

While sailing on 7/23 I had a nice surprise seeing an adult Bonepart's Gull flying south on the main lake. I have seen Bonepart's here once before.

The "Scorpion" headed west under the direction of captain MOM, maybe I'll still be sailing at 77.

The rocks (below) are a good place to find loafing Ring-billed and the occasional Great-Black-backed Gulls, Double-crested Cormorants, Great Blue Heron and Spotted Sandpipers. The hill on the very right hand side of the picture is Hawk Mountain, No not that hawk Mountain, which has a dramatic view looking south from the cliffs.

Sunset lookig north toward Harrison, Maine

Other birds seen and or heard from the lake area during the week:

Canada Goose, Mallard, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue heron, American Bittern, Flicker, Ring-billed, Grt-blackbacked and Bonepart's Gulls, Barred Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Eastern Wood Pee-wee, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Kingbird, Black-capped Chickadee, Titmouse, White and Red Breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creeper, Robin, Hermit Thrush, Catbird, Black and White Warbler, Pine Warbler, Yellow Rumped Warbler, BT Blue and Green Warblers, Cedar Waxwing, Red-eyed and Blue headed Vireos, Song and Chipping Sparrows, Purple Finch, Goldfinch. Soaring Turkey Vultures and Broad-winged Hawk. While I missed Bald Eagle, my folks had one perch (for 3 hours) in large pine in the back yard of the camp the day before I arrived.