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Yellow-billed Loon
October 29, 2010
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On October 26th, Luke Seitz was serving as a
naturalist on board the Odyssey, a whale watch boat out of
Portland. Luke discovered and photographed the first Maine (and
New England) record of a Yellow-billed Loon just a few miles
offshore. He noted the coordinates and, several days later, a
boatload of birders joined the whale watch tour for a second
chance at this incredible rarity. Derek Lovitch of Freeport
Wild Bird Supply organized the adventure, as he had been doing
all summer on his "Poor Man's Pelagic" tours. Besides whales,
these waters are good for many pelagic species, including four
shearwaters. |
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The boat filled with top notch birders,
including Davis Finch, one of the founders of Wings, and Jan
Pierson, one of the founders of Fieldguides. Altogether, there
were 15 birders who joined the whale watchers and, with that many
eyes, many pleasant surprises turned up. the Odyssey hadn't even
cleared the lighthouses marking the entrance to Portland Harbor
before a migrating Northern Harrier crossed an island and flew
over the boat. A Black Guillemot in the harbor became the day's
first alcid. Once out into Casco Bay and far from land, two
Dark-eyed Juncos fascinated the birders by circling the boat far
from land. At one point, a trio of Red-throated Loons flew
across the bow. |
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The day's biggest surprise was an American
Coot found swimming on the surface nine miles offshore. Despite
all the expertise on board, no one could ever recall hearing of
a coot so far out in the ocean. A short time later, a juvenile
Atlantic Puffin surfaced on the port side of the boat, then dove
again before the folks on the starboard side could see it.
Fortunately, three Razorbills proved more cooperative, seen both
flying and swimming near the boat. A pair of Long-tailed Ducks
flew by, becoming the a First-Of-Year sighting for most people.
A First-Of-Year Purple Sandpiper flew by the starboard side and
crossed the bow. White-winged Scoters and Surf Scoters made the
trip list, too, plus 15 Great Cormorants. |
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But the day belonged to the Yellow-billed
Loon. After some searching, it was discovered exactly where it
had been seen three days earlier - not a surprise, really,
because it's a known location for many molting loons to hang
out. This mega-rarity entertained the birders for nearly half an
hour before it was time to move on and chase whales. Other loons
proved abundant. Derek tallied 196 Common Loons. Northern
Gannets also owned the sea, and at least 98 were counted, most of
them adults. Over 250 southbound Double-crested Cormorants were
noted. |
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Yet the day's surprises were not over. As the
Odyssey cruised back toward the harbor, a swallow passed in
front of the boat: Cave Swallow! Although they are southern
breeders, in recent years they have followed the wind currents
all over North America and have become a recurring rarity in
Maine during late autumn, long after most swallows have
departed. This was the year's first report in Maine.
Besides birds, Harbor Porpoises, Harbor
Seals, and a school of jumping tuna blessed the day. What a
great trip! |
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