ML401311231
Colaborador
Data
Localização
- Idade
- Não especificado
- Sexo
- Não especificado
Detalhes da observação
Amazing luck that this wandering individual was found in Maine after last being seen 20 December along the Taunton River in se. Massachusetts. A local living near the Five Islands wharf had taken photos of the bird and reported this to Nick Lund's blog. Following up, we learned that she, Linda Tharp, had seen the bird on 29 December and then photographed it on 30 December. A huge eagle that when seen with Bald Eagle appeared one third larger. The bill was especially deep and arched as well as being a rich orangish yellow (both cere and mandibles). Overall a slaty brown with broad white band across upper forewing (lesser and median coverts) and much more narrowly along forewing on underside reaching the wrist. The tail and upper tail coverts were white. The tail was wedge-shaped and sharply tapered to a point; the white on the upper tail coverts encroached on the lower rump (this was noticeable as the bird flew away and quite a distinct difference from Bald Eagle if the white on the wings could not be seen). Another prominent white area was the thighs, flanks, and under tail coverts. With my scope, I was able to see frosted light gray to whitish on the forehead and perhaps some of head. The eye was whitish and rather beady-looking in the big head. The large toes were yellow with black talons. Characters linking this as the same individual in Massachusetts and before that in Canada were visible in photographs. On the right wing, there is a thin break in the webbing of the inner web on p6. On the right side near the axillars, there is a small white spot. The shape and ragged pattern of the rear border to the white forewing bar also show similar features to flight shots of the bird in Canada. This morning, Matthew Gilbert and Reed Robinson (and ??) located the bird from a private property vantage north of the wharf (at the end Moore's Turnpike, N 43.83046 W 69.70974). The eagle was perched atop a conifer on the southeast corner of MacMahan Island (perch here N 43.83833 W 69.70564) that was 0.92 kilometers away (over 1/2 mile). With clear and sunny skies, the bird was easily identifiable. The eagle then flew to a perch on Turnip Island, only 0.45 km (a bit over 1/4 mile). We then watched the eagle fly out over the Sheepscot River and at one point seemingly attempt to grab a fish. It was almost as far out as the Bull Ledge buoy (green can) about 1 km away. This is a shallow ledge submerged at high tide, as it was at this time; so perhaps a good spot to find fish. This bird was easily identified at that distance. Gulls harassed the eagle, which eventually flew into trees at the end of Misty Lane and the other side of Gotts Cove (erroneously labeled "Golf Cove" on Google maps). At this point, the bird was 100 to 150 meters away but not easily seen in the trees where it perched. By 10:30, we were asked politely to leave the private property. Returning to the public wharf, we saw the eagle perch on Crow Island (at one point arching its neck and pointing its beak skyward as it called, a strange deep barking sound). We also saw the bird perch at the tops of trees on Malden Island and later Mink Island. At 13:40, the eagle flew south, more or less directly. I followed it as speck in the distance, and we assumed the bird might be off Reid State Park. No sooner had we concluded that when at 13:48 I got a text from Lance Benner that the bird had landed on the islands to the south off Griffith Head. It is possible that we could see the bird as it neared those ledges, which are 7 km (4.37 miles) from the wharf. For a good portion of this flight, I could still make out occasionally the white forewings on the upstroke and/or discern the point of white up the rump.
Informação técnica
- Câmera
- Microfone
- Acessórios
- Tamanho do ficheiro original
- 40.62 MB