The annual BBC Waterfowl Prowl took place on Saturday, 22nd Feb 2020, with the intention of finding as many species as possible of ducks and other waterfowl. Conditions were good, 32-44F, with clear skies, but windy later in the day. 7.45am – 4pm.

We started at Great Herring Pond, headed west to the Rochester fields to check for the rare geese, then Scusset Beach and the various ponds along the northern side of Cape Cod with a quick stop at Corporation Beach, finishing up at Marston’s Mill Pond and Skunknett River Audubon.

20 species of ducks were found, with 3 species of geese. Mallards were most widespread, seen at eleven locations, then Buffleheads at ten. Missed Gadwall, Canvasback. Non-duck highlights included Razorbills at the Scusset breakwater, and a Bald Eagle at Great Herring Pond.

51 species

American Black Duck

American Crow

American Robin

American Wigeon – 46 at Shawme Pond

Bald Eagle – Great Herring Pond

Barnacle Goose – Continuing at Rochester fields, flew in around 8.45.

Barrow’s Goldeneye  –  2  males, 1 female at Great Herring Pond

Black Scoter

Black-capped Chickadee

Blue Jay

Blue-winged Teal – 3 Continuing at Mill Pond, Barnstable

Brant

Bufflehead

Canada Goose

Common Eider

Common Goldeneye

Common Grackle

Common Loon

Common Merganser

Common Raven

Double-crested Cormorant – Nye Pond

European Starling

Fish Crow

Great Black-backed Gull

Great Blue Heron

Great Cormorant – Scusset Beach

Greater Scaup

Green-winged Teal  – 5 at Marston’s Mill Pond

Herring Gull

Hooded Merganser

Horned Lark – Rochester Fields

Lesser Scaup

Long-tailed Duck – Corporation Beach

Mallard

Mourning Dove

Mute Swan

Northern Harrier  – Scusset Beach

Northern Pintail – 9 Skunknett River

Razorbill – 2 close to breakwater, Scusset

Red-breasted Merganser

Red-necked Grebe

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-winged Blackbird

Ring-billed Gull

Ring-necked Duck

Song Sparrow

Surf Scoter

Tufted Titmouse

Turkey Vulture

White-winged Scoter

Wild Turkey