Birding Cape Ann

We always try to kick off the new year with a few days of good birding somewhere to jump-start our year lists. This year we took advantage of (1) the fact that we are 1.5 hrs from the coast now and (2) the fact that Micah and Becky live there, and we headed to Gloucester for 2 days. Of course, the morning we were supposed to leave, Aiden came down with an inexplicable virus which caused him to cough (only while eating), gag, and spit up whatever he had just eaten. But only sometimes. And he was always hungry again right after. So we went anyway.

Andy on Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester

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Halibut Point warnings

Gloucester Fish Pier

I took a bunch of scenery shots, but to be honest we were too busy birding like mad to stop and take great photos of the birds. We had a great day in Gloucester and Rockport, seeing almost all the northeast seaducks, a male king eider, a snowy owl, and even one lifer: Iceland Gull. I know what you're thinking... didn't they GO to Iceland awhile back?!?! Yes, but curiously enough, the Iceland Gull does not live in Iceland during the summer so we did not see it while we were there.

Aiden napped at Micah & Becky's while we birded one day, and then we took him to Plum Island the next. He was still a little under the weather, but definitely recovering. He loves beaches any time of year, so he was happy to run around while we added a few more birds to the running total.

Plum Island, Newbury

ALL to myself...

A phat American Tree Sparrow, Plum Island