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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The Massachusetts Army National Guard’s Natural Resource Program is hosting grassland bird tours in May on Camp Edwards. This is an unusual opportunity for avid birders, naturalists and photographers to walk through the Camp Edwards [...]
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Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier
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Threats to Federal Bird Science Funding According to the journal Science, the administration has targeted the Ecosystems Mission Area at the U.S. Geological Survey for elimination in its upcoming Fiscal Year 2026 budget request. The [...]
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Upcoming Field Trips
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Slow Birding at Revere Beach
Revere Beach 21 Revere Beach Blvd, Revere, MA, United StatesLed by DCR Park Staff. Come observe the beautiful details of birds and their behaviors and share observations with others in the group. Pose questions and memories that observations elicit. Birds we may see include Piping Plover, Manx Shearwater, resident gulls, with Common Tern arriving by May. Suitable for adults and children 8 years+. Children [...]
Crane Beach, Ipswich
Ipswich - Crane Beach 331 Argilla Rd, Ipswich, MA, United StatesThis two-mile walk in the sand is aimed at nesting Piping Plovers, Least Terns, and Bank Swallows, as well as evening singers such as Whip-poor-wills. Be prepared for mosquitoes at sunset. Co-sponsored by the Essex County Ornithological Club.
Myles Standish State Forest, Carver – Evening
Carver - Myles Standish State Forest 181 Cranberry Rd, Carver, MA, United StatesA serene way to end the day with Prairie Warblers and Hermit Thrushes reluctantly giving way to Eastern Whip-poor-wills and, perhaps, Northern Saw-whet Owls. Target endangered breeding species: Whip-poor-will.
Lake Umbagog & Region, NH
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