Cape Ann again

Took another trip out to Cape Ann this weekend, with the hopes of seeing a continuing Thick-billed Murre, as well as a possible Dovekie, Razorbill, and Iceland Gull.

We started off at the Jodrey Fish Pier, the site of the Thick-billed Murre. After about 5 minutes, we had seen 2 Iceland Gulls, 25 Red-Breasted Mergansers, 6 Greater Scaup, 2 Common Goldeneye, 15 Common Eiders, and 10 Bufflehead.

Iceland Gull blending into the water (center)

 All of a sudden, the Murre popped out right in front of us. Unfortunately, my camera was dead, so I only have digiscopes:

Thick-billed Murre!

The Jodrey Fish Pier stop brought 4 Year Birds: Thick-billed Murre, Iceland Gull, Common Loon, and Greater Scaup.

We then stopped at Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester to try for the Lapland Longspur. When we arrived, we found a mixed flock of about 300 American Black Ducks and Mallards. Then, in the parking lot, we found the flock of Horned Larks and Snow Buntings the Longspur had been with. After a couple minutes, we found the Longspur! The flock wouldn't sit still for photos.

On the way out, we saw 2 Northern Harriers hunting the marsh, as well as a Peregrine Falcon!

That stop brought 5 Year Birds: Horned Lark, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Northern Harrier, and Peregrine Falcon. The year total is now 48. 

New Year's Day Birding!

This New Year's I headed out to Cape Ann in hope of alcids, Purple Sandpipers, sea ducks, Great Cormorant, and 2 species of rare goose that had shown up.

We started at Andrew's Point, a well known sea-watching spot. Within 30 seconds, we found Harlequin Ducks, and lots of them!  There were about 100 in the general area!

Some shots:

Out of the corner of my eye I saw a Great Cormorant, and managed to snap a distant picture

It's very heavily cropped, he was a ways out.

We headed on to Bass Rocks, in hopes of a recently reported King Eider. We struck out, but managed to find Common Goldeneye, Horned Grebe, Bufflehead, and White-winged and Surf Scoters. No pictures, they were quite distant.

We then went to try and find a continuing Ross's Goose and Red-headed Woodpecker. On the way there, I saw a little white dot a hundred yards out in some trees. It turned out to be a Snowy Owl! I got some crappy record shots. 

A couple minutes later, we arrived at the goose spot, and immediately picked out the white Ross's from the darker Canada Geese. A couple of other birders had located a Cackling Goose, which they were kind enough to show us in their scope! 

Jan. 1 brought a total of 36 species for the year list, 4 of which were lifers.

Lifers: Harlequin Duck, Great Cormorant, Ross's Goose, Cackling Goose