Date: 3/30/25 4:07 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] RI Duck Bonanza trip report
Thanks to Strickland Wheelock for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
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Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2025 13:56:23 +0000 (UTC) From: Strickland Wheelock <skwheelock...> Subject: RI Duck Bonanza trip report
Sat. 3/29 we ran from Drumlin Farm our traditional RI Duck trip - goal is to find at least 20 species of duck species!Potential challenges laid ahead to achieve this number - After several days of watching weather reports of constant rain Sat., we had no rain all day [a major blessing]. After a few days of scouting, no Barrow's Goldeneyes, King Eiders, Tufted Duck plus many of the pond ducks had pushed north already - a side plus is that we encountered some early spring migrants in our journey around RI.First stop was a very unknow birding location in Lincoln RI - Lonsdale Marsh. As we approached a small pocket of water, Wood Ducks were swimming about, other small flocks of Wood Ducks flew off, Green-winged Teal, Black Ducks, Mallards mixed in - stunning close looks at these male Wood Ducks.While this was going on, a male Red-headed Woodpecker was spotted in the trees behind us giving everyone great looks & pictures. Nearby, we had N. Flickers, Red-bellied & Downy Woodpeckers, 1 Golden-cr Kinglet & a pair of E Phoebes flying about. Further down the trail, a large section of the Blackstone River opens up into what looks like a pond where we enjoyed a pair of N Shovelers, many Gadwall, pair of Ring-necked Ducks, Canada Geese, Mute Swans plus a Pied-billed Grebe - by the cars, a pair of Common Mergansers were spotted in a pond across the street - great 1st stop.Next stop was the East Bay Bike Trail in East Providence - here we encountered a variety of ducks ranging from Am Goldeneyes, Bufflehead, Red-b & Hooded Mergansers. Am Wigeon, large flock of Gt Scaup close to the path mixed with many Brant - unfortunately, our target bird [Eurasian Wigeon] was not with the other Am Wigeon - however in its absence, we had wonderful looks at a pair of Am Oystercatchers, Great Egrets, C Loon, Osprey. Now down to Portsmouth where we checked the Lawton Valley Reservoir that had a few new duck species - a close flock of Lesser Scaup which allowed for explanations how to separate this species from the Greater Scaup flock we had seen earlier. several groups of Ruddy Ducks, more Common Mergansers plus a Great Cormorant & Tree Swallows.After lunch, we went to 3rd Beach in Newport - not ideal as we faced into a strong cold breeze in our faces - we quickly scanned the bay and spotted all 3 scoter species, 1 Long-tailed Duck, Common Eider - had a N Harrier hunting over the dunes - but quickly headed to Sachuest Point to walk the west trail towards the Point blocked from the wind, calm sea and easy viewing the various species - a great chance to study male & female plumages. As we parked our 3 vans, we viewed a Cooper's Hawk tearing some kill apart through our scopes - feathers flying in all directions. As we worked our way towards the Point, we had many close looks at Red-b Mergansers, C Eider, Black & Wht-w Scoters, C Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, even a pair of male Green-winged Teal to our surprise plus several Horned Grebes, Common & Red-thr Loons - the highlight happened 3/4 way to the Point as we encountered a flock of 40+ Purple Sandpipers feeding on the rocks below us - then yards away several stunning Harlequin Ducks were feeding nearby close to the rocks - what was especially fun was the Purple Sandpipers would suddenly pick up and swirl around, back in forth, land, then take off together & again land in front of us while we were admiring the Harlequins - what an ending to our day!Final total was 22 duck species - a grant total of 71 species on an all-dry day.Thanks like always to Leslie, Dan & Lindsay for their leadership, driving, spotting plus an enthusiastic group of birders enjoying all the thrills of beautiful duck plumages, Red-headed Woodpecker showing off, swirling Purple Sandpipers & much More [on a dry day!] Our next trip is April 12th to the PI, Newburyport & Salisbury area to enjoy a combination of late wintering species and new spring arrivals
