Day 19.156: Bicknell's thrush

The main reason for our hike yesterday was to try and find Bicknell's thrush. J warned me that we were more likely to hear than to see them, so I was prepared for that. These birds generally breed above 3000 ft and in specific habitats, and Saddleback is a popular spot for birders to go in search of them.

Around 3500 ft we heard one for the first time. We'd reached the top of the Grey Ghost trail (only something like a mile, but with an elevation gain of 1000 ft or so). Soon after, I spotted a bird landing in a tree a little way off and sure enough, it was the bird we'd heard:

Bicknell's thrush

At the top of the next trail, near the top medical station, we heard another that sounded close-by and, after taking a few steps to change his viewing angle, J was able to locate it for an even better view.

We heard several more, both calling and singing, but didn't get another view. Maybe we would have been more persistent in trying to do so if we hadn't been so lucky early on.

Day 19.155: To Saddleback…and beyond

My day started at 2:15 am. At 3 am I was leaving with my naturalist friend J to drive to Saddleback Mountain near Rangely near the northern end of Maine’s only state line (the border with New Hampshire).

At around 6 am we started our ascent. 

At around 8 am, we reached the summit:

After which, we came back down the mountain and visited several other nearby places. We got home again at around 6 pm. 

The main occupation of the day was birding - more on what we saw will wait for another day. 

Day 19.154: Whale watching

Our nature group joined some other local birders on the whale watch boat out of Kennebunk again today. We saw a few birds but no whales - which means we get to go again for free another time. Here is some of what we saw. 

Exile #2 did not join but had a nature walk including seeing us off at the river mouth

Chimney swift

Common loon

Wilson’s storm petrel

Wilson’s storm petrel

Wilson’s storm petrel

Great black-backed gull

Gannet

Sooty shearwater

Bonaparte’s gull

Least tern

Double-crested cormorant

Fish crow

Two new life birds and a first-in-Maine (I think) and first of the year sighting of the least tern. 

Day 19.153: Birthday cake

Exile #4 shared this photo of their solo birthday celebration:

I believe they are getting together with friends over the weekend for another celebration. 

Day 19.152: Civic duties

On Tuesday, four of us voted in the Maine primary elections. 

Today, I did the last of the duties relating to the Honda Civic that Exile #4 was driving last week by sending the title to the insurance company in acceptance of the total loss settlement. Meanwhile, today is Exile #4’s birthday and they have been doing a lot of adulting. Moving into their first apartment, starting a new job (today was day 4) and buying a car to replace the aforementioned write-off. Quite the start to a new season of life. Happy Birthday!

Day 19.151: Turkey surprise

When I arrived at work the other day, I saw a wild turkey sitting close to where I parked. I tried not to disturb it, but failed. As it stood up to walk slowly away, I saw there was a tiny chick as well. 

Cell phone pictures only sadly. 

Day 19.150: Sunday afternoon on the beach

We wondered if we might see piping plover chicks but had to settle for the baby eiders. We did see a couple of piping plovers:

And enjoyed watching the common terns hunting: