The Fork-tailed Flycatcher is still in New Hampshire, torturing me! Come on, hang out for just one more day . . . I’m coming! . . . Add a nearby Cave Swallow at Rye Harbor State Park, and it seems that there’s an outbreak of Rarity Fever in New Hampshire!

Meanwhile, this morning I decided to find my own rarities instead, and visited Pemaquid Point. It was a lovely morning (at least while the sun was out!), and this is a very scenic area to bird. I haven’t been here for a little while, and desiring a change of scenery for the morning, a long peninsula jutting south seemed like the perfect destination for an outing during Rarity Season.

At Pemaquid Point, a number of Red-throated and Common Loons bobbed offshore, along with a smorgasbord of seaducks, and at least 8 Black Guillemots. The neighborhood, via the Loop Rd, however, was rather slow – a few Song Sparrows, and a handful of Dark-eyed Juncos joined the usual resident cast of characters. However, the brushy edges, thick tangles, and rich fruit supply (especially winterberry and Mountain Ash) made the place look ripe (pun intended) for a rarity!

A nice, high pile of warming wrack on Pemaquid Beach Park was producing a good crop of flies, but nothing was feasting on them this particular morning (the insect life on rotting wrack can be a great food source for wayward insectivores this time of year).

Colonial Pemaquid is such a picturesque spot, and although the bird life here today was limited, the visit was still very enjoyable. Two majestic Bald Eagles soared high overhead, while a migrating Gray Ghost (male Northern Harrier) gracefully winged by. A small feeding frenzy of Red-breasted Mergansers attracted the attention of a dozen Bonaparte’s Gulls.

Duck numbers have not yet built up in Salt Bay/Damariscotta Mills, however, but a quick check of some of the better vantage points produced Hooded and Red-breasted Mergansers, Common Goldeneyes, and numerous Bufflehead.