Day 19.159: Birds after Saddleback

After our five-hour hike to the top of Saddleback and back, we visited several other locations in the area and on the way home. Here are some of the bird sightings:

Eastern kingbird above Sandy River.

Purple martin

Purple martin - this is a private home with a variety of nesting options for these birds

We had great views as they perched and circled

Barn swallow at the nearby Messalonskee Lake

Black tern

Tree swallow

Red-winged blackbird

Canada geese and goslings

We watched this great blue heron arrive. We had been hoping to spot a sandhill crane, so this bird caused a little excitement when it first appeared in the corner of my vision.

A short time later, we were surprised to see it being chased away by this bold red-winged blackbird

Barn swallow

Red-winged blackbird

Black tern