Monhegan Birding Update No. 1

The Great Flight begins. Last night’s north winds inland should bring a welcome flight of warblers and other songbirds today to Monhegan Island off Maine’s midcoast. Highlights so far from a Vermont Bird Tours outing here include a dozen Great Shearwaters on ferry crossing from Port Clyde, the usual showings of Northern Gannets and Bald Eagles off the island’s north end, and a smattering of wayward songbirds from faraway points: White-eyed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Dickcissel, Lark Sparrow, and a Golden-winged Warbler (discovered by Paul Miliotis).

At our feet is a metropolis of butterflies. Monarch, Red Admiral, American Lady, and Painted Lady are abundant in the glitter of gossamer wings covering the island, but we’re also seeing a couple of rare southerners: Common Buckeye and Cloudless Sulphur. Stay tuned for news from today’s flight. In the meantime, here’s a Northern Gannet.