Anhinga reaches Maine for first time

An Anhinga has been found in Maine, marking one of the northernmost occurrences of the species on record in North America.

A first for the state, the bird – a female-type – was discovered on 23 July on a flooded meadow south of the town of Somerville. It stayed until 26th, attracting nearly 100 people during its four-day stay.

Maine Audubon staff naturalist Doug Hitchcox, who saw the bird, told Boston.com: "It's the first one – but it's the first of more to come. It might be a couple of decades before we see the next, but I would be less surprised. This was a really rare bird for Maine, certainly New England."

Anhinga range expansion

Anhinga has a typically tropical distribution in the Americas, with only birds at the fringes of the range prone to migration.

However, the species is slowly expanding its range northward, chiefly due to climate change. Maryland is now the northernmost location where this waterbird nests and there are a few records from other northern states in the US, as well as a handful from Canada.