NATURE NOTES FROM ACADIA

BIRDS FROM THE LIGHTHOUSES

An early, though temporary, invasion of winter, bringing our first snow on October 12 and blanketing northern Maine with a foot of snow, precipitated a heavy flight of migrants. A large flock of crows was observed in Bar Harbor on October 13 while armies of feathered folk passed over Acadia National Park on the nights of the 13th and 14th. On the 15th an abnormally large number of hermit thrushes were noticed in our woodlands.

On the nights of October 13, 14, and 15 Mr. George W. York, Lighthouse Keeper at Mount Desert Rock, a beacon situated about 17 miles south of Mount Desert Island, picked up a total of 39 dead birds. These he kindly mailed to me. Mr. York informed me that these birds met death on nights which were overcast, with some rain falling, and the wind NE and NW. Mount Desert, the outermost light along the Maine Coast, is a flashing white beacon visible from the water for 14 miles. The 39 birds which I received from Mr. York were as follows:

5 Savannah Sparrows
2 Song Sparrows
2 Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrows
1 White-throated Sparrow
4 Juncos
4 Red-eyed Vireos
4 Golden-crowned Kinglets
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
4 Myrtle Warblers
2 Yellow Palm Warblers
1 Pine Warbler
1 Maryland Yellowthroat
3 Olive-backed Thrushes
2 Hermit Thrushes
1 Red Phalarope
1 Meadowlark

On the nights of October 12 and 15 Mr. W. W. Wells, Lighthouse Keeper at Saddleback Ledge, a beacon situated about 25 miles southwest of Mount Desert Island, picked up a total of 14 dead birds which he kindly mailed to me. According to Mr. Wells the night of October 12, when seven of the birds met their death, was cloudy with some rain - the wind from the east. The fixed white light on Saddleback Ledge is visible from the water for about 18 miles. The 14 birds which I received were as follows:

4 Red-eyed Vireos
3 Maryland Yellowthroats
2 Olive-backed Thrushes
1 Hermit Thrush
2 Savannah Sparrows
1 White-throated Sparrow
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet

On the overcast night of October 15 a lone Swamp Sparrow met death at White Head Lighthouse - a beacon located about 40 miles southwest of Mount Desert Island. Mr. A. J. Beal, Lighthouse Keeper, found the bird at the foot of the tower and sent it to me. The fixed white light on White Head is visible from the water for about 14 miles.

Mr. R. W. Powers, Lighthouse Keeper at Matinicus Rock, a beacon about 20 miles to the southeast of White Head Lighthouse, sent me five birds which were killed at his station on the nights of October 15 and 16. These were as follows:

1 Swamp Sparrow
1 Savannah Sparrow
1 Red-eyed Vireo
1 Leach's Petrel
1 Blackpoll Warbler

Mr. Powers writes me that a strong northwest wind was blowing at the time the birds struck. The flashing white light at Matinicus is visible from the water for 15 miles.

Highway Gleanings - For the past few years I have been patrolling the motor roads in Acadia National Park - an assignment which enables me to make frequent observation of the wildlife in this region. This past summer I have seen more White-tailed Deer than in any previous summer. On the nights of September 24 and 26 an albino deer was sighted near the Jordan Pond House.

For the first time in many years Raccoon have been seen, although infrequently. On October 12, Ranger McQuinn and I sighted a Red Fox in the vicinity of Bubble Pond.

- Ranger Louis R. Fowler