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