Birding Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge: Baring Division

Muskrat Ondatra zibethicus is the only member of its genus, and is widespread in North America.

Today I got up early and headed down east. The state of Maine is in the northeastern corner of the U.S., and the easternmost part of Maine is the easternmost place in the U.S. Locally it is called “down east.” I got to the Baring Division of the Moosehorn NWR at about 8:45 after a nearly 3-hour drive, and entered from the north on Channel Road to bird the Magurrewock Marsh area. The first thing I saw when I got there was the muskrat shown above hauling food to its den. Next I noticed this family of geese.

The birding at the marsh was really slower than I’d expected, and I continue to struggle to identify the songs of the eastern warblers. I’ve been studying, but it just takes time. I was able to get a good look at this Swamp Sparrow.

After birding the marsh I birded the area around the park HQ, and managed to see a few species, and get a few photos. It was starting to warm up by then and bird songs slowed down a bit. I also drove the auto loop opposite the entrance road to HQ.

Male Purple Finch Haemorhous purpureus at the HQ feeder. I took several photos of the PUFI as the light was nice.

My last stop at Moosehorn was to take a longer walk on Beaver Road on the southern part of the refuge, a more boreal forest, hoping for tougher boreal species. I found none of the hoped for ones, but did see a few more warblers. I finally got a handle on the song of Magnolia Warbler, I think key is that it is clear and quite short, with an abrupt ending. It sounds a bit like American Redstart in quality before the end, but is a lot shorter in duration.

Male Magnolia Warbler. Setophaga magnolia

On the walk I did get good looks at a pair of Yellow-breasted Sapsuckers, though no decent photos. This Spotted Sandpiper flushed off a nest near the road out onto this rock.

Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius

From there I had planned to drive to Lubec to stay tonight, but decided to go a bit further south, and am staying in Milbridge, about an hour north of Bar Harbor. I may go on a boat ride there at noon tomorrow.

Canadian Tiger Swallowtails Papilio canadensis seemed everywhere today too.

This American Red Squirrel was one of numerous mammals seen today, including an American Porcupine, White-tailed Deer, and the Muscrat above.

Until next time, good birding. Steem on!