The Brookline Bird Club trip to Cape Ann was rewarded by a warmup in the weather and surprising flat calm seas.
We visited Halibut Point, where land birds were again very few. Andrews Point, Cathedral, the Granite Pier, the Elks and the Jodrey Fish Pier had a nice variety of species, although numbers seemed relatively low overall.
Another birder pointed out the Iceland Gull at the Fish Pier. The Peregrine was cruising the wetland next to the Vista Motel. The Thick-billed Murres – one or two at Andrews, two at the Granite Pier (clearer looks) – were a treat. The Horned Larks were in the parking lot at Good Harbor Beach. The Sanderlings were at Good Harbor Beach and the Purple Sandpipers were at the Elks Club. Part of Gloucester Harbor was frozen, with sea ice piled up at several other locations. List below.
Canada Goose 64
Mallard 231
American Black Duck 65
Common Eider 306
Harlequin Duck 76 Andrews, Cathedral, Granite Pier – calm seas, excellent visibility
Surf Scoter 10
White-winged Scoter 35
Black Scoter 131
Long-tailed Duck 28
Bufflehead 137
Common Goldeneye 1
Red-breasted Merganser 70
Common Loon 13
Red-necked Grebe 1
Northern Gannet 2
Great Cormorant 35
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Sanderling 18
Purple Sandpiper 5
Common/Thick-billed Murre 3 Thick-billed – 2 at Granite Pier, 1 at Andrews, good visibility
Razorbill 26
Black Guillemot 3 1 Salt Island, 2 at Bass Rocks
alcid sp. 30
Ring-billed Gull 16
Herring Gull 127
Iceland Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 105
Mourning Dove 1
Peregrine Falcon 1 by Vista Motel
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 28
Horned Lark 42
Black-capped Chickadee 3
American Robin 2
European Starling 130
Song Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 1
House Sparrow 2
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41618938
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Upcoming Field Trips
Mount Auburn Cemetery
Mount Auburn Cemetery 536 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA, United StatesDunback Meadow, Lexington
Our target birds will be late migrants including Mourning Warbler and flycatchers. Be prepared to walk three to five miles. Conspoonsored with Menotomy Bird Club.
Fenway Victor Gardens (CANCELED)
Boston - Fenway Victory Gardens 11 Park Drive, Boston, MA, United StatesSorry, this walk is canceled due to scheduling conflicts.
Mount Auburn Cemetery
Mount Auburn Cemetery 536 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA, United StatesErwin S. Wilder WMA
Norton - Erwin S. Wilder WMA Todd Island Rd, Norton, MA, United StatesWe will walk a 2 mile loop through fallow fields and some wooded areas. Trails are gravel, fairly level and usually dry. This is a great spring migration spot for warblers.