I began today questioning my sanity (I am forced to do this more often than I like to admit). With the store open for the next couple of Tuesdays (it’s usually our one day off to go birding ALL day!), I decided to at least take the first few hours off (and Jeannette the last few) as we didn’t expect it to be too busy (We love being wrong about stuff like that!).

But, that’s not why I am questioning my sanity – and it’s not just the fact that I was going out birding despite not being able to kick the end of this wretched cold that I have been dealing with. But, I AM questioning my sanity for the decision for starting the day at the coldest places I could have possibly come up with! At about 7:30, with temperatures around 12 above and a stiff north wind, there I was scanning the frozen tundra of Scarborough Marsh from atop the bridge on Eastern Road. Could I have thought of somewhere colder to be this morning? (Well, at least my nose wasn’t running as the snot in my head was essentially frozen solid – aren’t you glad I just shared that?) My frigid vigil failed to produce the Rough-legged Hawk that I was hoping for, but I did spot some Horned Larks, Snow Buntings, and two Red-tailed Hawks.

My next stop, Pine Point was a bit warmer (the sun was out now) and quite a bit birdier. A cooperative group of 15 Lapland Longspurs fed in the parking lot at the Lobster Co-op. Although the trees (what’s left of them) in the neighborhood were quiet, I did have great looks at two adult Bald Eagles, one more Red-tailed Hawk, and a Cooper’s Hawk all passing overhead, southbound. Still migrating perhaps?

A few stops here and there (including Tim Horton’s for honey cruellers) and then I stopped at Grondin Pond. Lot’s o’ waterfowl! Not so much in numbers, but great diversity – 11 species to be exact. The two drake Redheads continued, both Scaup, and a drake Canvasback – the first one that I have seen this year. Two late Green-winged Teal, and 2 Snow Geese. What fun! Then, I got to thinking – with the seaducks off Pine Point and some stuff in the Marsh, I’ve got to be close to 20 species.

Totaling it up, I was at 16, but 20 should be well within reach. I was now on a mission. White-winged Scoters off of Prout’s Neck was #17. Nothing new off of Ferry Beach, but the feeding frenzy of Common Eiders was fun to watch. Prout’s Pond was frozen (darn, that could of given me Ruddy Duck and Hooded Merganser). So, I could either work tidal creeks for Hooded Merganser, and sea watch from somewhere for Black and Surf Scoter, or just head to Cape Elizabeth.

Soon after arriving at the cliffs at Two Lights State Park in Cape E, I quickly tallied #18: Black Scoter, #19: Surf Scoter, and a fitting milestone #20: Harlequin Duck. A close Razorbill was a nice treat, but try as I might, I could not turn up a King Eider out of the 1,000+ Commons (I wanted one extra species for good luck!). An even closer Razorbill off of Dyer Point was nice – but I was hoping for a Brant. No Brant at Kettle Cove either.

So, I could of gotten greedy and looked for the American Wigeon in Portland or tried to find a Barrow’s Goldeneye in Freeport (or even raced down to Ogunquit for the Mute Swans) but I decided to head in to work (it was busier than we expected afterall) more than satisfied with seeing 20 species of waterfowl in a day for my first time in Maine. (25 will be the goal next time!)

Here’s the complete list:
Snow Goose: 1 adult, 1 immature, Grondin Pond.
Canada Goose: 68 Grondin Pond.
American Black Duck: many in many places.
Mallard: 19 Grondin Pond, others here and there.
Green-winged Teal : 2, Grondin Pond.
CANVASBACK: 1 drake, Grondin Pond.
REDHEAD: 2 drakes, Grondin Pond.
Ring-necked Duck: 1 hen, Grondin Pond.
Greater Scaup: 1 hen, Grondin Pond.
Lesser Scaup: 1 drake, Grondin Pond
(Plus one unidentified scaup at Grondin that was tucked in a corner, but was probably another Lesser)
Common Eider: lots on all saltwater stops.
Harlequin Duck: 5 drakes, 1 hen, one subadult male, Two Lights State Park.
Surf Scoter: Two Lights State Park
White-winged Scoter: Prout’s Neck and Dyer Point.
Black Scoter: Two Lights State Park and Dyer Point.
Long-tailed Duck: lots at all saltwater stops.
Bufflehead: scattered in Scarborough Marsh.
Common Goldeneye: Scarborough Marsh, Pine Point.
Common Merganser: 1 hen, Grondin Pond
Red-breasted Merganser: many at all saltwater stops.