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A Can-Am Weekend: Lubec-Campobello-Eastport:
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 A particularly sociable group of birders enjoyed a fabulous time
in Lubec-Campobello-Eastport. There were many highlights, especially
the fact that it stayed sunny and warm through Sunday afternoon
even though rain had moved into southern Maine early in the day.Saturday morning's first stop at Eagle Bog on Campobello turned up a few foraging flocks of warblers along the extensive boardwalk, mostly Yellow-rumps and one Palm, but the Lincoln's Sparrows commonly found there were silent or already southbound. Then, it was back across the border and over to Quoddy Head State Park, which revealed more than the usual number of Bonaparte's Gulls and Black-legged Kittiwakes among the rocks, but none of the Razorbills that can sometimes sneak in close to shore there. Black Guillemots were the only alcids available, many of them already entering their winter plumage.  We timed our arrival at our third stop perfectly. The tide at South Lubec mud flats had dropped just enough to lure in the shorebirds, but it was still high enough that the birds were close to us. The sandpiper flock was was too big for practical counting, but it was noteworthy that the number of Least Sandpipers in the flock had fallen to about 10% of the total from numbers seen over the two previous weeks. As usually happens through September, the variety increases as the numbers diminish. We scored Red Knots, dozens of Short-billed Dowitchers, 75 Black-bellied Plovers and 1 American Golden Plover. Fresh from those successes, we trotted off to Boot Head trail in Lubec and turned up a female Spruce Grouse right on cue. Then it was back to Quoddy Head for a picnic lunch and one of the weekend's more humorous moments. While most of the birders wandered through the parking lot and up the access road looking for Boreal Chickadees, one came to rest right on the roof of the outhouse next to the van - seen only by the one person who remained behind. Fortunately, the chickadee did linger long enough for most people to get a look, and we were able to turn up another at the Edmunds Unit of Moosehorn NWR the next day. 
Back on Campobello Saturday afternoon, the usual large numbers of
Bonaparte's Gulls and Kittiwakes filled the channel, joined by scores
of Northern Gannets at East Quoddy Head Light. However, the running
joke for the weekend was the abundance of eagles present. There
may have been as many as three dozen different individuals in the
area, but it's hard to tell when they're all milling about along
the shoreline and islands. Just before supper, we poured out a few
Cabernets and Chardonnays and lounged in Adirondack chairs overlooking
the channel, watching several Minke whales work the tidal rips in
front of our cottages. 
Sunday dawned sunny and warm. We enjoyed an early breakfast and
then toured the summer home of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
among the flowers and grounds of North America's only International
Park. From there we hustled up toward Eastport, stopping briefly
at Monica's Chocolates in Lubec, Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge
in Edmunds, and an early picnic lunch at Gleason Point in Perry.
Conditions were favorable for raptor migration, so we did get a
few sightings of Merlins, American Kestrels, Sharp-shinned and Broad-winged
Hawks along the way. After lunch, we had just enough time to squeeze
in a stop at Raye's Mustard Factory in Eastport, America's last
remaining cold-process mustard plant. Then it was time to board
the Sylvina W. Beal windjammer. As it happens, our trip coincided
with Eastport's first annual "Pirate Festival" and we departed the
dock among much festivity. The sailing cruise itself provided close
looks at several Finback whales and one Minke, plus innumerable
Harbor Porpoises. Many Northern Gannets were present among the gulls
and kittiwakes, but only one Sooty Shearwater. Thanks to Bob Kleckner
for the photos. |