Date: 1/20/25 12:49 pm From: <sohzendeh...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] eBird Report - Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area IBA (Suffolk Co.), Jan 18, 2025
The day was relatively mild with minimal wind and no precipitation. Seals sightings were extremely scarce, perhaps due to the status of the tide. Common Eider, normally one of the commonest (if not the commonest) of our winter birds, often numbering in the thousands, were only in the hundreds. Harlequin Duck and Purple Sandpiper, on the other hand, were relatively abundant. The Rough-legged Hawk which has been at Logan Airport for the past week or so put in a distant cameo toward the end of the cruise.
This list was compiled by Sebastian Jones and Mason Bunker.
Soheil Zendeh
Littelton, MA
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area IBA (Suffolk Co.), Suffolk, Massachusetts, US
Jan 18, 2025 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
26.266 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 2025 Boston Harbor Winter Wildlife Cruise
I can also share it directly with you upon request (email in my eBird profile).
******
This list represents tallies from the cabin crew and spotters. Compiled by MB and SJ.
SPOTTERS:
Sebastian Jones
Robin Peters
Greg Wehn
Ben Schmandt
Soheil Zendeh
Mason Bunker
Mike Friedland
Susannah Corona
Ellen Stanley
John Ebersole
Lis Kernan
Xiony Rodriquez
WHEELHOUSE EXPERTS:
Marc Albert- NPS
Linnea Mayfield- marine mammals
Wayne Peterson- winter birds
Caitlin Fitzmaurice- seals
Rebecca Shoer- climate change
30 bird species
Brant 150
Canada Goose 125
American Black Duck 8
Common Eider 300
Harlequin Duck 74 Minimum, probably more, just a ridiculous number! Groups of 7, 8, 15, 9, 13, 8, 2, 10, 2 that I kept a running tally of, most of them photographed. A truly remarkable number for Boston Harbor, way surpassing previous high counts. All in the outer harbor, most concentrated around the Brewsters, Green Island, and the Graves.
Surf Scoter 200
White-winged Scoter 30
Black Scoter 20 Minimum, all outer harbor. Photos
Long-tailed Duck 150 Conservative estimate; large numbers in the harbor this year
Bufflehead 20
Common Goldeneye 40
Barrow's Goldeneye 1 Continuing bird just off of Castle Island with several Common Goldeneye; photos
Red-breasted Merganser 150
Purple Sandpiper 125 Minimum, another nice high count for the trip; count based off of photographs of a group of ~106 birds in flight plus others seen on the rocks just off of The Graves
Black Guillemot 6 Groups of 1, 2 and 3; most near Green Island. Photos
Razorbill 6 Minimum, photos
Ring-billed Gull 15
American Herring Gull 125
Great Black-backed Gull 20
Red-necked Grebe 3 2 and 1; photos
Red-throated Loon 25 Minimum
Common Loon 50 Minimum
Northern Gannet 1 Flew past the boat just west of Green Island as we were returning to Boston; photos
Great Cormorant 90 Minimum; many in the outer harbor, especially Shag Rocks
Double-crested Cormorant 3 Minimum. Late birds but several in the harbor this winter; photos
Northern Harrier 1
Rough-legged Hawk 1 Continuing at Logan; photos
Peregrine Falcon 1 Georges
Common Raven 2 Logan
American Robin 35
