Trip yields merlin, harrier sightings Birds abound at Fields Pond

I had more than a few reservations as I prepared to lead my first canoe trip down the Sedgeunkedunk Stream into Fields Pond. I had gone on one of the trips before, for they were part of a series of moonlight paddles organized by the Penobscot Valley Chapter of Maine Audubon. However, this was the first time I would be responsible for people having an enjoyable evening. I was worried that things would go wrong, or that I would have trouble handling my canoe – I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve been out in one (mostly as a passenger).

I needn’t have worried about either one of these things. One reason was that I had Alan Larson accompany me in my canoe. Al is an expert paddler; he and his wife, Nancy, organize guided canoe trips. Needless to say, his competent assistance, as well as expert instruction on maneuvering and paddling techniques, enabled me to pay more attention to one of the highlights of the trip: the birds.

As we put into the stream off the Brewer Lake Road, a northern harrier (otherwise known as a marsh hawk) came cruising low over the cattails that edged the water. The bird – a female – exhibited the telltale white patch at the base of her long tail, a reliable and obvious field mark. Her beautiful plumage glowed warm cinnamon in the sunset, making her stand out against the varied greens of the streamside vegetation. She appeared sporadically throughout the trip; we’d catch sight of her as she hunted sections of the marsh surrounding the stream.

American bitterns flushed from the cover of cattails ahead of our canoes. Since they are shy and elusive birds, it was a treat to see them in flight. They were easily identifiable not only by their shape, but also by their two-toned wings: deep, nutty-brown edged by dark-chocolate brown. We were especially privileged to observe a merlin as it chased and caught dragonflies above the stream.

After each sally to catch prey, it conveniently returned to its perch in a dead pine on a small island edging the stream. The merlin is a petite version of a peregrine falcon, and it was exciting to watch its aerial prowess. Although it was silhouetted against the blush of sunset, we were able to see one of its distinguishing field marks: a slight “mustache,” and a subtle hooded appearance to its head.

Altogether, it was a perfect evening. A postcard-perfect sunset gave way to peaceful dusk and a gibbous, lemon moon as we neared the Fields Pond landing. Here I was blessed again with the aid of Maine Audubon member Clay Hardy. Although he had family obligations that night, Clay had shuttled people back from the Fields Pond Nature Center, where they had left their vehicles at the start of the trip. Now he graciously returned to assist with the landing, and returned the rented canoes to their proper place at the Nature Center.

I expected the evening to end with a wail from one of the loons on the pond, or perhaps the call of the resident barred owl. But there was no sound except the chirping of crickets in the field. Oh well – you can’t ask for everything.

Chris Corio, a volunteer at Fields Pond Nature Center in Holden, can be reached at fieldspond@juno.com