If there is one thing that this current weather pattern is good for is seawatching. Some songbirds surely arrived ahead of the approaching rain last night, as they did Saturday morning as well, but likely not in any significant numbers. The continuing onshore winds aren’t real productive for producing flights of long-distance migrants, but they do help to push migrating seabirds closer to shore.

With a prediction of a moderate East wind by morning, I headed out to Dyer Point in Cape Elizabeth. I was a bit disappointed to find it so NICE out! Just a slight northeast breeze was it – no stiff, unpleasant, damp, dreary East that I was hoping for. However, the light winds were permitting a number of birds to move, and the excellent visibility increased their detection.

A ghostly pale first cycle Iceland Gull was a treat and a Laughing Gull passed by as well. 12 Red-necked Grebes were still heading north, and my tally of 22 Black Guillemots was a respectable total. There were many fewer scoters and other seaducks than my seawatching stint a couple of days ago from Biddeford Pool, but I had no complaints. For some reason, I find burying my face in my spotting scope, straining to see and identify small flying specks far out to see until I am nearly blinded by eye strain to be pleasantly relaxing and therapeutic!

Here’s the morning’s totals:
Common Eider: 88
Surf Scoter: 42
White-winged Scoter: 1
Black Scoter: 74
Unidentified “dark-winged” scoter: 21
Long-tailed Duck: 137
Red-breasted Merganser: 6
Unidentified Duck: 21
Red-throated Loon: 6
Common Loon: 22
Unidentified Loon: 1
Red-necked Grebe: 12
Northern Gannet: 20
Double-crested Cormorant: 102
American Kestrel: 1
Merlin: 1
Laughing Gull: 1
Iceland Gull: 1
Black Guillemot: 22