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
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