A Can-Am Weekend:
Lubec-Campobello-Eastport:
September 7-9, 2007 |
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. |
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