Halibut Point SP, Essex, Massachusetts, US
23-Dec-2023 12:01 – 13:59
Protocol: Traveling
1.539 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:    A Brookline Bird Club walk led by Shilo McDonald. Blue skies mostly. Slight breeze. ~40 ºF.
31 species (+2 other taxa)
Mallard  40    Estimate. In the quarry.
American Black Duck  5    With Mallards in the quarry.
Common Eider  5    Not as many as we expected.
Harlequin Duck  45    Estimate.
White-winged Scoter  30    Estimate. A few here. A few there.
Long-tailed Duck  30    Conservative estimate.
Red-breasted Merganser  16    Estimate.
Horned Grebe  1
Purple Sandpiper  3    At least 3. Difficult to count due to their location. They were staying mostly on the down slope side of the water facing rocks. A couple documentation photos attached.
Black Guillemot  0    Tried as we did, we could not find a Black Guillemot. Marking as quantity zero with this notation for record.
Razorbill  1    Scope views only.
Herring Gull  10    An immature bird seen chasing after an adult who was carrying a fresh catch. Photos attached.
Great Black-backed Gull  1    Flying by.
gull sp.  12    Distant.
Red-throated Loon  1    Flying by. Low to the water.
Common Loon  2
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Northern Flicker  1    Heard only, “Kyeer.”
Ash-throated Flycatcher  1    Spotted by Elaine. Seen perched in the thin island row of trees and bushes directly between the parking lot and the road. Looking quite a bit like a Great Crested Flycatcher, except overall smaller and paler. Photographs attached.
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  2
Black-capped Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  2
Carolina Wren  2
Gray Catbird  1
American Robin  20    Estimate. Most of these birds were seen flying together.
Cedar Waxwing  16    Estimate. Flying together.
House Sparrow  10    Estimate. Heard only. Chirping in the yard with the feeders.
House Finch  2    Heard only. Sharp cheeps.
American Goldfinch  2
White-throated Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
passerine sp.  1    Mimi and I both saw a small bird which quickly flew out of sight, while we were on the edge of the lookout. We agreed it was small and had yellow underneath, but beyond that neither of us were quite sure what it was. Marking as passerine with this notation as a matter of record.
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S156991874

News Categories

Upcoming Field Trips

  • Belle Isle Marsh and Vicinity

    East Boston - Belle Isle Parking Lot 1399 Bennington Street, Boston, MA, United States

    Led by DCR staff. We will search on foot up to one mile, on flat, easy terrain for snowy owls and other raptors, native sparrows, finches, waterfowl, and other birds. This is a traveling program by car or bike. Prepare for ticks. Ages: Adults and kids 8 years+ with adult chaperone. Binoculars recommended. ADA/Reasonable Accommodations [...]

  • Gulls at Revere Beach

    Revere Beach - Nearest to Wonderland Stop MA, United States

    Following the recent talk by Amar Ayyash, author of The Gull Guide, we will have a gull focused field trip at Revere Beach. Our trip will be about appreciating gulls, basic to advanced gull ID, and rare and unusual gulls. We may move to other locations based on recent reports but will start at the [...]

  • Halibut Point State Park, Rockport

    Rockport - Halibut Point State Park Halibut Point State Park, Rockport, MA, United States

    A two-hour walk, about 1.5 miles, over easy to moderate gravel roads and trails in search of seasonal specialties. Boots advisable. Restrooms are available. In case of inclement weather check with leader the night before trip.

  • Franklin Park – Scarboro Pond

    We will look for late fall migrants and new winter arrivals in Franklin Park. Beginners welcome and encouraged. Expect to walk up to 2 miles on paved paths. Loaner binoculars available. Co-sponsored with the Franklin Park Coalition and Franklin Park Tennis Association.

  • North Shore Waterfowl Expedition

    Topsfield Fair Grounds 207 Boston St, Topsfield, MA, United States

    We will visit several different water bodies in Essex County in attempting to see as many as 25 different species of Ducks and Geese. There will be some walking. We will end up at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Note that an entrance fee or pass is required to visit Parker River NWR.

Go to Top