North Shore of Massachusetts

Twelve members joined up to enjoy 43 species on the North Shore.  We began the day at Jodrey’s Fish Pier with a Peregrine Falcon, a Horned Grebe, 2 C. Loons, 8 C. Eider, White-winged Scoters far out, a DC Cormorant and a Red-tailed Hawk. The next location was Rocky Neck, where we added 17 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 C. Goldeneye, 2 Bufflehead, and a Red-necked Grebe.  On to Niles Beach, where we added Black and Surf Scoters and a Canada Goose.  Next up was Eastern Point, where a few lucky members got good looks at Black Guillemot in winter plumage at the point beyond the dog bar.  We also added 5 Gannets to the list there, as well as several landbirds.

Niles Pond added 25 Ring-necked Ducks, 2 Ruddy Ducks and a N. Harrier.  We searched Ramparts field (across from the tennis courts on Fort Hill Rd) in vain for a reported Western Flycatcher, and only came up with a few song birds for our reward.  Stop and Shop was adequate for a rest stop and a short lunch before moving on to the Elks Club, which did not give us any new species for the day, but did offer good looks at 200 Black Scoters, 12 White-winged Scoters, 3 C. Loons and 2 Gannets. Granite Pier was the next destination, where we spotted 2 Harlequins, 21 Surf Scoters, 30 Eider, 2 Bufflehead and a DC Cormorant.  Our last stop was Andrews Point, delivering to us the usual large flocks of Eider, 20 Harlequins, 3 Gannets, one C. Loon and the only new species, 6 Purple Sandpipers. It was breezy, but good day of birding!