Gloucester and Rockport

First, my apologies to the club and anyone who may have made the trip up to Gloucester.
I was under the impression the trip started at 8 a.m., when in fact, it was published as starting at 8:30.
I waited until 8:15, and given the weather forecast, I assumed that no one was coming.
(It would not have been the first time.)

Overall, the weather was marked with on again, off again snow showers, making ocean watching, less than ideal.
Wind was only a factor at the breakwater.

Stops included Jodrey Fish Pier, Eastern, Andrews and Halibut Points and several stops in between.

No major movements were observed. A first in a long time, for this time of year, NO white-winged gulls were observed.
There were good looks at Black Guillemot, Razorbill and Harlequin Duck.
Also, after scanning the ocean and distant island for King Eider, it was found almost under my nose,
swimming close by and getting out of the water a couple of times, until being washed back into the water by the incoming tide.

Below is a summary of the birds seen:

Brant	7
Canada Goose	3
Mute Swan	4
Gadwall	1
American Black Duck	60
Mallard	1
King Eider	1
Common Eider	80
Harlequin Duck	50
Surf Scoter	7
White-winged Scoter	15
Long-tailed Duck	8
Bufflehead	29
Common Goldeneye	10
Red-breasted Merganser	50
Ruddy Duck	40
Wild Turkey	6
Common Loon	4
Horned Grebe	4
Great Cormorant	20
Cooper's Hawk	1
Red-tailed Hawk	1
Purple Sandpiper	20
Ring-billed Gull	1
Herring Gull	1
Great Black-backed Gull	35
Razorbill	2
Black Guillemot	1
Rock Pigeon	3
Peregrine Falcon	1
Blue Jay	1
American Crow	7
Black-capped Chickadee	3
Tufted Titmouse	3
Carolina Wren	3
American Robin	16
Northern Mockingbird	2
European Starling	35
Song Sparrow	2
Northern Cardinal	4
House Sparrow	2

Mike Emmons