July Maine Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Species Totals

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Lynn Skinner
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July 25 2015 Maine Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Species Totals Report Details: 181 miles, 17 Lighthouse and 8,169 birds counted along the way.

Date range: Jul 25, 2015 Total # of Species: Total # of Checklists: Location(s): ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Crossing to Machias Seal Island; ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Egg Rock; ME Grand Slam

1 July Maine Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Species Totals Report Details: 181 miles, 17 Lighthouse and 8,169 birds counted along the way. This report contains pictures of 15 Lighthouse and some of the common Pelagic birds we saw during our day on the Atlantic Ocean. Date range: Jul 25, 2015 Total # of Species: Total # of Checklists: Location(s): ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Crossing to Machias Seal Island; ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Egg Rock; ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Grand Manan Island Southwest Head; ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Great Duck Lighthouse; ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Jordan's Delight; ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Libby Island Lighthouse; ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Little River Lighthouse; ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Long Eddy Point (The Whistle); ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Machias Seal Island Crossing; ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Mark Island Lighthouse; ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Mistake Island Moose Peak Light; ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Nash Island Lighthouse; ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Petit Manan Island; ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Pond Island Lighthouse; ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Prospect Harbor Lighthouse; ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Swallowtail Lighthouse; ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: The Sparkplug Channel Light; ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Travel to Great Duck Lighthouse; ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: West Quoddy Head Lighthouse; ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour:Gannet Rock Lighthouse; ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour:Machias Seal Island Bird Sanctuary; ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour:South of Schoodic Island Summary Jul 25 Number of Species 23 Number of Individuals 8,169 Number of Checklists 22 Total Number of Birds (sample size)

2 Species Name Jul 25 Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) Common Loon (Gavia immer) 12 (1) 397 (11) 3 (2) Wilson's Storm-Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) 114 (9) Leach's Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) Common Murre (Uria aalge) Razorbill (Alca torda) Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle) Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) 3 (1) 1 (1) 358 (7) 1 (1) 10 (3) 13 (4) 329 (5) 943 (8) 300 (7) 2,150 (5) 95 (7) 15 (1) 2,703 (16) 289 (13) 358 (3) Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) 61

3 Sterna sp. (Sterna sp.) American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) Common Raven (Corvus corax) (2) 6 (2) 7 (4) 1 (1) ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Egg Rock, Hancock, Maine, US Jul 25, :15 AM - 9:33 AM 5.0 mile(s) Comments: / Egg Rock and the approach was spectacular especially with so many Lighthouse enthusiasts Three Red Phalarope where spooked than landed on the water on our approach to the north and east side of the Lighthouse and Island. 9 species Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) 35 Wilson's Storm-Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) 1 Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 14 Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) 3 Three birds were spooked by the fast boat as we approached the Island. The birds show the distinctive dark eye-patch with plumage grey above and white below. The bills were black. Sanderling like appearance was distinctive compared to the rednecked which also has a longer bill. Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle) 17 Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) 15 Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 520 Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 25 American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 2 ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: South of Schoodic Island, Hancock, Maine, US Jul 25, :55 AM - 10:00 AM 1.0 mile(s) Comments: A Bald Eagle was spotted terrorizing Schoodic Island Herring Gulls and others. 4 species (+1 other taxa) Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) 65 Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 1 Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 400 Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 75 Sterna sp. (Sterna sp.) 5

4 ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Petit Manan Island, Washington, Maine, US Jul 25, :55 AM - 10:15 AM 0.1 mile(s) Comments: On the approach to Petit Manan there were many Wilson's Stormpetrel and three Leach's with a forked tail and more rounded wings in flight. Their flutter flight is slower and not as direct at times like Wilson's who were darting around the boat all day.. The boat was traveling at mph. 12 species Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) 16 young of the year 1st cycle Wilson's Storm-Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) 18 Leach's Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) 3 three Leach's with forked tails and more rounded wings in flight. Their flutter flight is slower and not as direct at times like Wilson's who were darting around the boat all day. Visible v-shaped rump patches within 30 feet of the bow. This birds where found about 1 mile from PMI Common Murre (Uria aalge) 25 Razorbill (Alca torda) 50 Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle) 240 large numbers in the water and air for our 20 minute stay. Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) 145 counted birds in our slow motor past the island Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) 75 This is a low number but accurate for the number we saw. Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) X Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) X Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) 350 guesstimates Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) 60 ME Grand Slam Lighthouse: Machias Seal Island Crossing, Washington, Maine, US Jul 25, :15 AM - 11:00 AM 25.0 mile(s) Comments: The Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour sponsored by Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company was a total success finding all 17 Lighthouses slated for observation during this year s event on the Friendship V. Number of pelagic's continue to remain low following a trend for this season to date. Alcids are randomly seen in a steady flow of birds in this transect. 5 species Wilson's Storm-Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) 47 some small flocks found along this transect indicating a relatively high number of Wilson's in the area at the moment. Numbers should increase as phytoplankton and copopods increase Razorbill (Alca torda) 1 Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) 1 Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 4

5 Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 1 ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Crossing to Machias Seal Island, Washington, Maine, US Jul 25, :15 AM - 11:30 AM 45.0 mile(s) Comments: ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour traveling to Machias Seal Island. There were several Red Phalarope but not a single Shearwater, Northern Gannet or Northern Fulmar on the entire crossing. Red Phalarope and Razor / (#652) 3 species Wilson's Storm-Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) 14 Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) 5 Five total with three at the beginning of our crossing and two as we approached MSI Razorbill (Alca torda) 1 ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Machias Seal Island Bird Sanctuary, Washington, Maine, US Jul 25, :30 AM - 11:53 AM 0.2 mile(s) Comments: ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour on the west side of MSI. The west side contains the core nesting and roosting sites for Common Murre where you find a sizable population of the "bridled form". There are over 2000 Atlantic Puffin and 800or more Razorbill. Common Murre population appeared to be around 300 birds that we saw on our transect along the western cliffs. A fine lighthouse is she on this American nesting sea-bird Island santuary. 8 species Wilson's Storm-Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) 10 Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 1 Common Murre (Uria aalge) 300 several bridled forms seen with one photographed. Razorbill (Alca torda) 875 Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle) 12 Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) 2000 This side of the island reveals the most important feature of Machias Seal Island. The total number of birds on this Island is an amazing experience for all the lighthouse enthusiasts. I have made this trip many times with Barna and John Norton who were both superb naturalists, and have always marveled at the amount of life on this rock. Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 45 Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 10

6 ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Grand Manan Island Southwest Head, Charlotte, New Brunswick, CA Jul 25, :02 PM - 12:15 PM 0.2 mile(s) Comments: ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour and a stop at Southwest Head Lighthouse number 4 on a 17 lighthouse blitz. No birds were counted on the crossing from Machias Seal Island to Grand Manan Island. 4 species Common Murre (Uria aalge) 1 Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle) 12 Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) 3 Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 60 ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Gannet Rock Lighthouse, Charlotte, New Brunswick, CA Jul 25, :30 PM - 12:45 PM 0.2 mile(s) Comments: ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour:Gannet Rock Lighthouse. A fortress in the Sea and a Beacon since the late 1800's. Spoken fondly of by Chris who served as keeper for many years. Amazing. # / at least 120 Gray Seal at this location and NO Harbor Seal. 3 species Razorbill (Alca torda) 6 Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 15 Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 2 ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Travel to Great Duck Lighthouse, Charlotte, New Brunswick, CA Jul 25, :45 PM - 1:10 PM 9.0 mile(s) Comments: ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour. On this crossing we were heading into the wind and experienced some chop as the current in this region is affected by the St. Lawrence River 2 species Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle) 2 Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 15 ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Great Duck Lighthouse, Charlotte, New Brunswick, CA Jul 25, :10 PM - 1:22 PM

7 0.2 mile(s) Comments: ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Great Duck Lighthouse Canada. Located at / My easterly lighthouse and easterly most point ever traveled by boat to bird. 4 species Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 12 Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 3 Two adults and one 2nd year bird sitting on the outer edge of the island on the ledge. On bird did fly off Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 550 Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 35 ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Swallowtail Lighthouse, Charlotte, New Brunswick, CA Jul 25, :39 PM - 1:47 PM 0.2 mile(s) Comments: ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour Swallowtail Lighthouse (#659) / species Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 11 American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 3 ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Long Eddy Point (The Whistle), Charlotte, New Brunswick, CA Jul 25, :50 PM - 1:58 PM 0.1 mile(s) Comments: ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Grand Manan--Long Eddy Point (The Whistle) One Raven seen soaring over the Whistle. 3 species Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 65 Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 5 Common Raven (Corvus corax) 1 ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: The Sparkplug Channel Light, Washington, Maine, US Jul 25, :19 PM - 2:29 PM 0.1 mile(s) Comments: ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour. The Sparkplug had several Double-crested Cormorant resting on the lower roof. (#661) /

8 5 species Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) 35 Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 30 Razorbill (Alca torda) 2 The immature bird was quiet small swimming with the adult as we left the inner harbor Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 50 Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 11 ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, Washington, Maine, US Jul 25, :24 PM - 3:46 PM 0.2 mile(s) Comments: ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour. The most photographed lighthouse in America is the famous 15 red and white stripped Lighthouse, internationally known as a symbol of Maine and the Down East coast. Two Common Murre were seen well from the bow watch. 5 species Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) 10 Common Murre (Uria aalge) 2 the brown alcids are hard to miss with the sleeker over all body than the square alcids. Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) 1 Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 10 Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 1 ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Little River Lighthouse, Washington, Maine, US Jul 25, :19 PM - 3:38 PM 0.1 mile(s) Comments: ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour. Little River Light is a lighthouse on an island at the mouth of the Little River, in Cutler, Maine. It was first established in and is located between Moose Cove and Baylie's Mistake. 5 species Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) 1 Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 5 Razorbill (Alca torda) 2 flew by the bow Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 25 American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 1

9 ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Libby Island Lighthouse, Washington, Maine, US Jul 25, :55 PM - 4:07 PM 0.1 mile(s) Comments: ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Libby Island Light and a flurry of activity about 750 feet from the boat. (#666) / species Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) 1 Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) 3 This was a brief view of three together and flicking past the boat towards the water I like Pete Dunne's description as the sanderlings of the sea. Common Murre (Uria aalge) 1 Razorbill (Alca torda) 6 Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle) 1 Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) 1 Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 95 Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 22 ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Mistake Island Moose Peak Light, Washington, Maine, US Jul 25, :20 PM - 4:29 PM 0.1 mile(s) Comments: ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Moose Peak Lighthouse where we also find another pocket of foraging Wilson's Stormpetrel, a Northern Gannet and the first of the trip. Looked like a 2nd cycle bird. (#667) / species Common Loon (Gavia immer) 1 first of the trip bird Wilson's Storm-Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) 6 Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) 1 2nd cycle bird mixed with a frenzied flock of Gulls Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 3 Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 209 Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 50 ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Nash Island Lighthouse, Washington, Maine, US Jul 25, :56 PM - 5:07 PM 0.1 mile(s) Comments: ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Nash Island Lighthouse and the approach produced some excellent birds for the conditions today. (#669) /

10 9 species Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) 6 Wilson's Storm-Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) 5 Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 6 four adults and two immature. Two adults on smaller island on our approach to Nash Island Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) 2 another couple of phalarope seen by everyone including Buzz Scott Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) 1 Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) 1 Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 490 Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 51 American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 1 ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Pond Island Lighthouse, Washington, Maine, US Jul 25, :07 PM - 5:23 PM 0.1 mile(s) Comments: ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Pond Island Lighthouse With a few Common Terns and one Arctic with them. (#670) / species Wilson's Storm-Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) 6 Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) 7 Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) 1 ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Jordan's Delight, Washington, Maine, US Jul 25, :29 PM - 5:33 PM 0.5 mile(s) Comments: ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Jordan's Delight has a 90 foot cliff on the southern end reminiscent of the Wisconsian Glacier which formed it. This open ocean island is a delight for some good birds as well. Wilson's Stormpetrel and a few terns 5 species (+1 other taxa) Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) 79 Wilson's Storm-Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) 7 Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle) 16 Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) 1 Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) 1

Sterna sp. (Sterna sp.) 1 http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subid=s24404819 ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Prospect Harbor Lighthouse, Hancock, Maine, US Jul 25, 2015 5:46 PM - 5:53 PM 0.

11 Sterna sp. (Sterna sp.) 1 ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Prospect Harbor Lighthouse, Hancock, Maine, US Jul 25, :46 PM - 5:53 PM 0.1 mile(s) Comments: ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Prospect Harbor Lighthouse 5 species Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) 54 Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 1 Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) 1 Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 15 Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 1 ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Mark Island Lighthouse, Hancock, Maine, US Jul 25, :03 PM - 6:15 PM 0.1 mile(s) Comments: ME Grand Slam Lighthouse Tour: Mark Island Lighthouse and the final stop for the day. We head out through the islands to bar harbor with 17 Lighthouses and a great list of Gulf of Maine Birds. 4 species Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) 95 two different rafts Common Loon (Gavia immer) 2 the adult was flying Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 294 Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)

12 Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea)

13 Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica)

14 Wilson's Storm Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) Razorbill (Alca torda)

15 Common Murre (Uria aalge) Razorbill (Alca torda) Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) Common Murre (Uria aalge)

16 Common Murre (Uria aalge) Egg Rock Lighthouse

17 Petit Manan Island Maine Machias Seal Island Maine

18 Southwest Head Light Grand Manan Canada Gannet Rock Southwest of Grand Manan Canada

19 Great Duck Lighthouse Grand Manan Canada Swallowtail Lighthouse Grand Manan Canada

20 Long Eddy The Whistle Grand Manan Canada The Sparkplug Lubec, Maine

21 West Quoddy Lighthouse Maine Little River Lighthouse Maine

22 Libby Lighthouse Maine Moose Peak Maine

23 Nash Island Lighthouse Maine Prospect Harbor Lighthouse Maine

24 Winter Harbor Mark Island Lighthouse Maine Bar Harbor Maine

Visual Observations for Birds, Turtles, and Marine Mammals at the University of Maine Test Site near Monhegan, Maine.

Visual Observations for Birds, Turtles, and Marine Mammals at the University of Maine Test Site near Monhegan, Maine. A report submitted to the University of Maine s Advanced Structures and Composites