The Maine records committee figured out that their bird was at about the
same latitude and about the same distance from the Bahamas as the actual
nesting areas in Michigan, but in the wrong directional angle. If the bird
was first found in early June, it could have been around for a month
(assuming they migrate in early May as reported). Having visited both areas
(Grayling MI and also the Kennebunk preserve) the physical look of the
scrubby pine habitat is quite similar, probably similar enough to attract a
hopeful male for a few weeks at least.

However this was obviously a real "one-off" as the Brits say. The bird did
not return in 2009 and there have been no other such records anywhere in New
England

Gail Mackiernan
Colesvile, MD

on 03/15/2010 5:48 AM, Paul Woodward at  wrote:

> I am not sure habitat has anything to do with it since migrants can
> show up anywhere.  More to the point is that if you draw a line from the
> Kirtland's wintering grounds in the Bahamas to the nesting grounds in
> Michigan (or to the new populations in Wisconsin) Maryland isn't along the
> presumed migration route.  More likely in the fall with young birds flying
> off course .
> 
> Paul Woodward
> Fairfax City, VA
> 
>