We always think of November as rarities month, but this month has produced some AMAZING birds in Maine! First and foremost is the Steller’s Sea Eagle! This bird first appeared in Alaska in August 2020. Last year, it showed up in Texas in March, the Gaspé region of Québec in June, Nova Scotia in November, and then Massachusetts in December. On 30 December, it was found in the Georgetown area. And it has been in Maine ever since! (Maine Audubon has a good article with an animated map showing the sightings across the continent.)
There are a few birders in Maine (me among them) that have not yet seen it. So this week’s Weekly Birding Tour will be a day trip to look for the Steller’s Sea Eagle! Depending on our luck, and time, we may chase one or two other rarities, such as Bullock’s Oriole and/or Barnacle Goose. But the focus is on the Steller’s Sea Eagle. I will be taking five people in my minivan (we will all be wearing masks in the car and must be vaccinated), departing MDI at 7:00 a.m.
The weather looks good for Wednesday: The National Weather Service is calling for this Wednesday to be sunny with a high near 18 F and NNW winds 10-15 mph.
WHAT: Weekly Birding Tour
WHEN: 7:00 a.m. — ???, Wednesday, 26 November
WHERE: Boothbay region to look for the Steller’s Sea Eagle (details upon RSVP)
COST: $75
Please RSVP by calling (207/266-9461), emailing (info@TheNaturalHistoryCenter.com), or messaging (www.facebook.com/TheNaturalHistoryCenter) to sign up (you can do so up to the night before the schedule date).
As a reminder, our COVID precautions will include:
Capping group size at 5 people in a single vehicle.
Everyone needs to be vaccinated and have had their booster shots.
And we will all wear masks all of the time in the van.