Day 18.242: Birding at Helen's Restaurant in Machias

We did a bit of birding by the river in Machias four times during our trip. We were there (in a slightly different spot) briefly on our way up (documented here), twice when we stopped at Helen's Restaurant for lunch and again on our way home on Monday. On all occasions we saw shorebirds and diving loons, on most we saw ospreys and herons and on a couple of visits we witnessed some spectacular flying from a peregrine falcon.

The location is known as "Machias Motor Inn" on ebird. There is a large culvert where the water from the Middle River Reservoir empties under the road especially at lower tides. I'm guessing that's what makes it good fishing for the loons, seals and ospreys.

Here are some pictures:

TL: Herring gull with crab; TR: double-crested cormorant and great blue heron; BL: double crested cormorant; BR: two great blue herons (flight) 

Sandpipers: TL: white-rumped; TR & BL: least; BR: semipalmated

Semipalmated plover

Ospreys (we saw at least three, possibly four different birds). I only saw one serious fishing attempt and no successful ones, but I guess they don't use too much energy just circling or patrolling looking for an opening.

The first time the peregrine appeared our first indication was some huddling:

Followed by masses of peeps taking flight

Here is the peregrine with one singled-out sandpiper

As far as we could see, this little peep escaped this time

This really put a falcon amongst the shore birds

Waiting for another opportunity

It was an amazing display of flying even if unsuccessful

The second time we watched a similar event unfold, the result was different. It started similarly with some nervous shorebirds:

I suspect the falcon used us for cover - it seemed to come right over our shoulders and before long had grabbed an unfortunate bird

Rearranging (or perhaps killing its prey)

This gull was not happy about the situation, but the peregrine got away with its meal

At least that meant the rest of them were safe for the time being

A couple more pictures of the falcon: