Birds of Casco Bay Tour Report, 10/13.

These two molting juvenile Dunlin were waiting for the tide to roll out in Maquoit Bay, finding a floating oyster farm a perfect spot for roosting. Yesterday’s strong winds were a thing of the past and calm waters greeted us for a cool but very pleasant fall morning on the water. And it was a very productive morning for birds.

Our first of 18 Bonaparte’s Gulls and our first few of a goodly total of 73 Laughing Gulls were spotted before we left the Harraseeket River, joining the Herring, Great Black-backed (few), and Ring-billed Gulls we saw throughout the trip. While Common Eiders were much less common than on most trips, the arrival of wintering waterfowl was upon us, and with it, an impressive tally of 200+ Surf Scoters was made, with many birds photogenically close to the boat. About 11 White-winged Scoters in Maquoit Bay may have been part of the a flock that over summered in the area, but a group of 6 loafing Long-tailed Ducks and a single Red-breasted Merganser were new to the area.

Surf Scoters.

One of the surprises was finding two Dunlin roosting on oyster floats, while a total of 12 Black-bellied Plovers were also seen here and there. Two truant Ospreys were spotted, likely finally on their way south.

It took us a while to see some Bald Eagles, but three together checking out a gull and Double-crested Cormorant feeding frenzy more than made up for it, as did another close look at one later just as the tour was wrapping up.  Common Loons in various stages of molt were sprinkled about, with a total of at least 28. Two Great Blue Herons were spotted as well, helping round out the list for a delightful 2.5 hours exploring the local waters on an increasingly lovely fall day.