RESULTS of the Leader's Choice Field Trip: Two Lights, Cape Elizabeth

Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008
Heavily overcast skies with occasional brief breaks. Temps in the 30s with little or no wind.

The Leader's Choice field trip, a new concept to the SBC, was instituted in order to take advantage of any "good" or rare birds that might be reported somewhere in the state, rather than missing such an opportunity because we were scheduled to hit a different location. This inaugural LC trip headed for the coast to look for either of two King Eiders that were being reported. One was being seen at East Point in Biddeford Pool, the other at Dyer Point in Cape Elizabeth (the "2 lights" of Two Lights SP). We decided on hitting The Cape first, since the Audubon Bird Alert that came in the night before reported that particular bird as having been seen that same day. When we drove into the parking lot at Two Lights and saw several birders there with scopes aimed at the sea, we took that as a good sign. As soon as we crested the ridge I trained my binoculars on a small group of Common Eiders... and there it was! A beautiful adult male King Eider! The bird was actively feeding, and sometimes preening, along with the other eiders. It stuck close to the shore, giving us all the looks we could take in; pure eye candy. I believe this was a life bird for the whole group. And this wasn't enough, we also had some distant looks at 3 or 4 Razorbills, although they were much further out, but a great bird to add to the list nonetheless.
From Dyer's Point, we followed the other group of birders to Kettle Cove, a short distance away. There we were treated to close and leisurely looks at a group of Brant Geese, a bird I hadn't seen in a number of years. We also had a flock of Snow Buntings there, a nice treat.
On our way home we stopped in Yarmouth at Derek & Jennette's Wild Bird Center to see what was at their feeders. There we were treated to a close view of a Carolina Wren, and a somewhat obscured view of a few Pine Grosbeaks. Derek told us that a Barred Owl that had been there for a couple days had move on. He also gave us some good info about niger seed; did you know that niger goes stale very quickly? Derek says that it only lasts about a month, and that assumes that it was fresh when you bought it. He recommends buying niger in small quantities, and replacing it regularly. If your finches aren't eating the thistle you are offering, this could be why.
So incase you haven't guessed, we all had a wonderful and very rewarding day of birding.

Observers: Dan Marquis (leader), Ari Waldstein (recorder), Jim Walker, Linda & Alan Seamans.