My last pre-ABA Convention Youth Track scouting mission was to Popham Beach State Park this morning. My goal was to locate some Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows there, sorting them out from among the much more numerous Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrows. Mission accomplished!

I wandered around the marsh for a couple of hours, and managed to find at least 3 Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows. However, despite stiff breeze, I was pleasantly surprised by the show that the Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrows were putting on. I conservatively estimated 25+ birds, many of which were singing, and a few were even giving their prolonged flight displays and song. Good show – I hope they perform like this next week!

I also checked the beach for lingering shorebirds while I was there, and I did have 4 Black-bellied Plovers and 4 Semipalmated Plovers. Certainly the highlight, however, were three immature Bald Eagles tearing at a carcass (small seal?) on the beach, with a small contingent of crows darting between them trying to get a taste. At Fort Popham, a few Roseate Terns were feeding with Common Terns, which is a good sign as this is another one of our “target species” for our trip here next week.

Meanwhile, I thought I’d share some pictures of Baxter:

See that lump in the water?

That is the lump through binoculars.

Double-Top Mountain in the clouds.

No need for binoculars for this cow, that was right in my path.

South Turner Mountain - the skies cleared just as I hit the end of the trail after coming down from the top. Good timing.