An unusal sighting at the lighthouse

photo - Tom Ewert of Alexandria, VA.

Photo taken 60 meters north of Machias Seal Island aboard the Barbara Frost.

Redbilled Tropicbird

Usually a Pacific bird (south from the Baja Penninsula) this stray likely came north during a hurricance from a known smaller breeding colony near Trinidad.

The bird flew around the island for approximately 1 1/2 hours was clearly sighted by lighthkeepers and ornithologists as well as other boat passengers.

Machias Seal Island
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8/19/05