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Wings, Waves, and
Woods
Birding
Festival
May 15-17, 2009
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Wings, Waves, and Woods: an apt name
for the festival held in Deer Isle and Stonington in mid-May
of every year. The festival got under way with a fine crowd
for the first warbler walk at Old Settlement Quarry at 6am
Saturday morning. Songbirds were in good supply, with a
Swainson’s Thrush leading the dawn chorus. Black-throated
Green, Northern Parula, Magnolia, Black-and-White, and Yellow-rumped
Warblers chimed in. A Nashville Warbler and Blackpoll were
heard but not seen, while a Yellow Warbler was seen but
not heard. At last, a Hermit Thrush began to sing, giving
fledgling birders an opportunity to distinguish the difference
between it and the Swainson’s Thrush. But, despite the cacophony
of singing birds, the highlight was a baby fox that repeatedly
popped out to take a curious look at us, then melted shyly
back into the woods.
The first morning walk was sunny and windless – a good omen
for the puffin trip that was to follow. The marine forecast
also suggested that it would be a calm voyage out to Seal
Island. Wrong. The breeze began to freshen even before we
boarded the Nigh Duck. Fortunately,
for most of our trip to the island, we were shielded from
the breeze by Isle au Haut. Only the last five miles to
the island were rough, and even then, it was a cross breeze
so that we rolled more gently than we might have in a headwind.
As we approached Seal Island, puffin numbers increased.
Soon, we were surrounded by great numbers of them, augmented
by Razorbills and Black Guillemots.
Shutterbugs took many photos, often at close range as the
alcids buzzed by the boat. Then Captain Bill cruised slowly
around the island so that we could get better looks at the
huge flocks of Common Eiders, and a plentiful supply of
Great Cormorants. (Seal and Matinicus Islands are the southernmost
breeding colonies for Great Cormorants in the world.) Many
Harbor Seals and a few Gray Seals eyed us as we passed.
On the return trip, the winds were again off the quarter
bow, so that we rolled mightily but seldom uncomfortably.
We passed a few Northern Gannets – one flying, two sitting
on the water. Then, once again within the lee of the islands,
we noted the Purple Sandpipers that lingered on the rocky
shoreline.
The rest of the day went handsomely. Back on the mainland,
most festival participants took time to stroll the art galleries
and shops of Main Street Stonington. I snuck over to Barred
Island Preserve to search for Boreal Chickadees, but found
none. The trees were dripping with Black-throated Green
Warblers, but little else. The evening’s old-fashioned church
supper in Deer Isle was a sellout. Volunteers prepared only
locally grown produce and freshly caught seafood for the
feast, and there wasn’t an extra seat to be had. |
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