Well that was fun! A continuing local seasonal rarity and an even more incredible 5 species of dabblers! And all within the boundaries of Brunswick.
We began at Wharton Point, where a long-staying, pioneering BROWN THRASHER immediately showed itself. A nice array of feeders birds included a total of about 16 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, 2 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, a pair each of NORTHERN CARDINALS and BLUE JAYS, several BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES and TUFTED TITMICE, along with about 20 HOUSE SPARROWS and half a dozen HOUSE FINCHES.
The ice had filled in the upper shoreline, so ducks were a little too far today. Nonetheless, we pulled out a single GREEN-WINGED TEAL amongst the 150 or so AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS. 16 SCAUP were just too far to be identified, while other waterbirds present included about 20 HERRING GULLS and 12 RING-BILLED GULLS, 30 or so WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, 50 BUFFLEADS, 15 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, and 14 COMMON GOLDENEYES.
A stately RED-TAILED HAWK and a fly-by RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER en route to Simpson's Point were added to the list, and over at Simpson's Point, a productive visit yielded a distant look at the continuing lingering/pioneering GADWALL amongst many more American Black Ducks (300+) and about 15 MALLARDS. The 36 GREATER SCAUP were just close enough to be identified, with another 5-10 scaup just out of range. Ten SURF SCOTERS, several distant COMMON EIDERS, 6 CANADA GEESE, 4 LONG-TAILED DUCKS, and two HOODED MERGANSERS were added to the list, with another 100 or so Bufflehead, 10 Red-breasted Mergansers, and a few Common Goldeneyes building our tallies.
Stopping next at one of my "secret spots," the Maine Street Pump Station, an amalgamation of Mallards with 6 American Black Ducks yielded a spiffy female NORTHERN PINTAIL! And, while watching here, we teased out two dapper drake GREEN-WINGED TEAL - incredible looks and more than making up for the distant bird in flight at Wharton Point. 5 species of dabbling ducks on a birdwalk in late December is more than excellent!
And finally, a quick stop at the Swinging Bridge yielded another 120 Mallards, but also a single drake COMMON MERGANSER - our 16th species of waterfowl on this incredibly productive morning!