NPSpecies

Bass Harbor Head is a favorite haunt (Long 1987); Present in the Ship Harbor area (Bond 1955).

Native to Maine (Palmer 1949) and North America (Long 1981).

Common spring through fall in the Mount Desert Island region (Witt 1997).

Park Species Detail: Erratic breeder on Mount Desert Island (Witt 1997). Sharp (1997) Recorded from within park boundaries during the Breeding Bird Survey conducted June 1996. Long (1987): lists many locations in the park where this species can be found; Locally common along the Western Mountain Truck Road. Russell (1984?) common spring and fall migrant; breeding status uncertain; an erratic species whose breeding abundance is closely tied to the abundance of the spruce budworm. In the late 1930's and 1940's when there was a major budworm infestation, they were abundant. Since 1950, they have not been reported breeding on MDI. However, 6 singing males were observed in a very dense spruce patch on the top of Western Mountain on 1 July 1971 (M. Russell and W. Russell). The Ship Harbor to Bass Harbor Head region is perhaps a good location for this species. Bond (1969) found in dense spruce woods bordering Bass Harbor Lighthouse Road, nothern end of Long Pond, and the lower slopes of Asticou Hill. Davis (1961): Present in his spruce/fir study plots within the park on MDI between 25 June and 5 July 1959; considered a breeding bird. Long (1953) all colonies of this species have in thick balsam fir areas on MDI; several singing males and a nest were observed at the northern end of Long Pond on 24 June 1950; observed on the southeast slope of Western Mountain during June 1950, 1951, and 1952; also found on Clarks Ridge about 1 mile southeast of Western Mountain on 6 June 1952 (R. Long). Long (1951) a nest was found at Long Pond (Pond's End) on 24 June 1950, nest contained 4 day-old young; another nest was under construction at Long Pond (Pond's End) on 27 June 1950. Palmer (1949) Observed on MDI on 13 September 1941; also a bird was seen gathering nesting material on 1-3 June 1937 at Great Head. Bond (19??) fairly common summer resident; 1 or more nests have been found. Tyson and Bond (1941): Present at Indian Point and Ship Harbor; most numerous about the upper end of Long Pond and near Ship Harbor; common and widely distributed on MDI. Bond (1937): Breeding (several pairs) within a mile of Ship Harbor. Sullivan (1937) Summer resident, commin in high and thick evergreen woods from May to August; young birds just flying observed on 3 July 1924 (no location given). Farley (1935) reported 8 pairs on MDI, observed between 12 June and 22 June 1934; this includes 6 pairs observed at the southern slopes of Western Mountain on 22 June 1934. Eliot (1931) Rare in the Northeast Harbor area during June 1931; one found June 20, 1931 on the west side of Brown Mountain (= Norumbega Mountain) and another found June 29, 1931 west of Somesville. Also observed on MDI by Mr. And Mrs. C.R. Robbins on 6 June 1915 and 1 June 1916. Allen (1899): rather uncommon on MDI between 1880 and 1899., Park Species Data Source: Witt (1997); Sharp (1997); Long (1987); Russell (1984?); Bond (1969); Davis (1961); Bond (1955); Long (1953); Long (1951); Palmer (1949) ;Tyson and Bond (1941); Bond (1937); Farley (1935); Eliot (1931)