I was really hoping for something other than rain and tropical-storm force winds for our day off. But, alas, it was another wet and miserable Tuesday. But, as I often preach, bad weather often equals good birding.

I started the day from my usual spot during strong onshore winds: under the porch at the Lobster Shack at Dyer Point in Cape Elizabeth. The winds were howling, the rain was blowing sideways, but birds were on the move. In 3 hours, I tallied 1,449 Northern Gannets, a number of ducks – including the first Harlequin Duck of the season, 2 Pomarine Jaegers, and the first Iceland Gull of the season. The oddest sight, however, had to be a Wilson’s Snipe flying high offshore, trying to head north into the wind for some unknown reason. Complete totals are listed below.

With all of the ducks on the move this time of year, strong storms will often “ground” them on inland lakes and rivers. Monday evening, I took Luke to see Ruddy Ducks (successful) and chase reported Redheads (unsuccessful)that were seen over the weekend. While the 200+ Ruddies were impressive, we were most impressed by the diversity of “sea ducks” on the lake, including one small flock of each Black and White-winged Scoters, along with a Red-throated Loon, and two Horned Grebes. Over 200 Scaup, both Lesser and Greater were also present.

Checking some ponds in Scarborough yesterday, after seawatching, produced more duckage – including Ruddies in Grondin and Prout’s Pond, and Common Goldeneyes and Buffleheads at Massacre Pond in Scarborough Beach State Park. Now is a great time to check any and all inland bodies of water, from big lakes to small flooded fields. I can’t remember the last report I heard from Sebago Lake – and I can only salivate over the potential rarities that have landed there!

Cape Elizabeth Seawatching, 10/25.
-Start: 8:05. Winds northeast 23, gusts to 26. Rain. Poor-moderate visibility. Seas 6-8ft.
-End: 11:05. Winds northeast 32, gusts to 41. Drizzle. Moderate visibility. Seas 8-10ft and growing!

American Black Duck: 8
Green-winged Teal: 2
Greater Scaup: 8
Common Eider: 137
HARLEQUIN DUCK: 1 drake.
Surf Scoter: 181
White-winged Scoter: 22
Black Scoter: 137
Unidentified dark-winged Scoter: 6
Unidentified Scoter: 20
Long-tailed Duck: 29
Bufflehead: 2
Red-breasted Merganser: 60
Unidentified duck: 3
Red-throated Loon: 26
Common Loon: 21
Unidentified Loon: 5 (one possible Pacific, but the look was just too brief, and at a lousy angle).
Red-necked Grebe: 1
Northern Gannet: 1449 -steady close-in flight continued when I left. About 40-50% adults
Double-crested Cormorant: 25
Great Cormorant: 3
Unidentified Cormorant: 1
WILSON'S SNIPE: 1 -very odd sight of one flying high offshore fighting the winds, slowly but surely heading north.
POMARINE JAEGER: 1 adult, one subadult. Adult was quite close.
Laughing Gull: 27
Bonaparte's Gull: 36
Ring-billed, Herring, and Great Black-backed Gulls.
ICELAND GULL: 1, 1st cycle.
BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE: 11 adults, one juvenile.
RAZORBILL: 1
Snow Bunting: 4 on lawn in front of Lobster Shack.