Merlin visits our backyard (May 2008) (formerly misidentified)

 

I learned about another bird in our neck of the woods. I photographed, and mis-identified this bird back in 2008. I thought it was an immature Cooper's Hawk, but I learned today that it is a Merlin! Merlins are small raptors in the falcon family of birds. One identifying feature is long pointed wings when they fly. 

Here is a close-up view. There are so many physical characteristics to note when trying to identify birds, and since I am incredibly bad at I.D., I am glad to have birding acquaintances that teach me. One of my birding experts said this about the Merlin, "Note the dark eyes and slight 'mustache' - this is a Merlin!" (The mustache is below his eye.) 

Also, if you look at his beak, he must have just finished lunch when I snapped this photo! There is a bit of blood on it. These birds are very fast fliers who snatch birds and insects from the air. They are found in wide-open spaces and open woods. Our back woods had recently been logged when I saw this bird, so it is a perfect habitat for this species.

Sharp-shinned Hawk visits the bird feeding area

I have never seen a Sharp-shinned hawk before. But, today I got lucky. As I glanced out the kitchen window this morning, an adult was sitting quietly on a branch of the maple tree that holds the bird feeder. I have so much trouble identifying birds as different species often have similar characteristics. Here is what a more experience bird watcher said about this bird,

"Adult Sharp-shinned Hawk on this one. Although the first pic makes it look like it has a darker cap, this bird shows a small head, large eyes, tiny bill, and tail feathers all the same length—perfect for a Sharpie."

He flew to another branch and I was able to photograph his chest, so you can see all the pretty feathering. But, I learned that the birds of the Genus Accipiter are short-winged, long tailed birds that look so much alike that they are difficult to distinguish from one another. When perched, look at the "color and pattern of the head, nape (neck), and underparts and leg thickness." In flight, observe "shape, wingbeats, and overall color and pattern of underparts." For Sharp-shinned Hawks versus Cooper's Hawks (which I originally though this one was), the tail is different. The Sharp-shinned Hawks have shorter, square tails while the Cooper's Hawks have longer rounded tails. Cooper's Hawks also have bigger heads with longer beaks. Sooo much to learn! And, that is what makes birds so fun to see!

For quotes: Sibley, David A. The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf, 2000.

Sunset on Caesar Pond

Gotta love Caesar Pond sunsets, especially in wintertime. 

The clouds and reflections are stunning...

New Year Resolutions/Adventures

Okay, it is a new year. And, there are a few resolutions and tons of adventures to consider. Here are a few old ones that I never got around to last year, as well as a few new ones:

1. Try new photographic techniques: 
a) Use a neutral density filter when taking moving water and cloud photos (longer exposures like a minute long.)
b) Learn and practice stacking photos.
c) Use the Apeman Underwater camera at the beach.
d) Go to Popham Beach and photograph the tide pools, seaweeds on the rocks at Fox Island, Piping Plovers (bring long lens)
e) Get together with Greyhound friends more often and do lots of photography.
f) Play around with the lensball with photos.

2. Plant Winterberry (Ilex verticillata), male and female plants, for berries for birds during the winter months. The Maine Cooperative Extension link has more information. Planting guide for Winterberry. Buy from Gammon's Garden Center in Auburn, ME  (207) 783-6986. (1 mile past Lake Auburn toward Turner.)

2. Visit Saco Heath Preserve (Nature Conservancy) to do some photography and butterfly watching during late May to early June when the heathland plants bloom AND when the Hessel's Hairstreak Butterfly is feeding off the heath flowers.

3. Photograph Piping Plover chicks on Popham Beach (by July 4th many of the chicks have hatched and they are flightless for 25-30 days). So, go to Popham Beach any time during the month of July to photograph the chicks.

4. Messalonskee Lake for Sandhill Cranes and Black Terns. The Messalonskee Lake boat ramp is one of the most popular birding hot spots in the county, because it is so easy. All birding can be done from the ramp. It's often an easy place to see the black terns that arrive in mid to late May. The boat channel runs through excellent marsh habitat before entering the lake. Dabbling ducks and pied-billed grebes are likely. Virginia rails may call at any time of day. Warbling vireos and Baltimore orioles are common among the trees along the shoreline. Northern harriers are regularly seen above the marsh. Directions: The boat launch is obvious on Route 27, 3.5 miles north of the split with Route 23.  

5. Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center - Rent a canoe for an hour or two to photograph the marsh along the Dunstan River. Opens 9:30am. Glossy Ibis migrates in during April.

6. Seguin Island with Ethan DeBery. Gulls nest on the island and young gulls can be seen in nests in early to mid-July.

7. Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust Trails AS WELL AS Potts Point Reserve AND Stover's Point Preserve - South Harpswell - Short walk.

8. Maquoit Bay Conservation Land - Brunswick Land trust - over a 1 mile trail.

9. Vaughan Woods, and Historic Homestead - Kennebec Land Trust, Hallowell - Short walk.

10. Woodbury Sanctuary - Stanton Bird Club -Litchfield/Monmouth. 3 miles of trails. AND Purinton Homestead Conservation Area - West Road, Bowdoin. Part of the Androscoggin Land Trust. 1 mile of walking trails

11. Ovens Mouth Preserve - Edgecomb - Boothbay Region Land Trust - 4 mile walk

12. Orono Bog Boardwalk - One mile boardwalk loop trail through part of the 600 acre bog that is part of the Caribou Bog Complex.

13. River Run Tours around Bath, Arrowsic, Georgetown (through July 28th)

14. Maine Maritime Museum Lighthouse and Nature Cruises (through Oct. 29th.)  YAY! My buddy, Shannon, has gifted me a 4 hour lighthouse boat tour for 2021!

15. Whale Watching - 
a) Odyssey Whale Watching Tour - Portland.  
b) Quoddy Link Marine - Whale Watch out of St. Andrews New Brunswick. - Humpback Whales and Finback Whales in August. Ha! This means that we would have to stay in Campobello for a few nights...Awesome!

16. Monhegan Island - Monhegan Boat Line out of Port Clyde AND Hardy Boat Cruises out of New Harbor. Go in May for the migration of Warblers and other birds.

17. Casco Bay Lines - Cruises and tours.

18. Machias Seal Island Puffin Tours - Bold Coast Charter - out of Cutler. Late July to early August is when seas might be calmer.

19. Maine Mineral & Gem Museum - Bethel, Maine

20. Mt. Washington Cog Railway (New Hampshire)

Happy New Year!