Wednesday 12/31: Windier than I expected. Started at Revere Beach where I didn’t see the YT Warbler (apparently it was further down the street the other way) and didn’t spend much time looking at the water. Went to Winthrop Beach and Yirrell where I didn’t see much more (and missed the oystercatchers). More or less gave up at that point and gave Beaver Brook another loop without any luck.
Thursday 1/1: Waited out the snow then went to Earhart, unfortunately not quite ahead of the wind. Pretty quiet, usual ducks, nothing on land. No YT Warbler reports yet, so started back and stopped at the Mystic River. Of course there’s an immediate yes on the warbler but I wasn’t turning around. Got a few more ducks here and at the lakes but not much else.
Friday 1/2: Started the town listing for the year. Lake Q was frozen, so continued into Reading. Didn’t actually look at the Jordan’s marsh but added crow and pigeon while driving around the parking lot. Did a walk through the town forest adding a few common things. Tried Martin’s Pond, which was also frozen so on to Silver Lake. Gulls were dropping in, Iceland was obvious right away but after that it was just Herring that I could find. Thought about the dog park but decided the goldeneye at Horn Pond was more interesting. Got that, plus the thrasher, so probably the right choice. Afternoon loop of Nine Acre and the res didn’t have anything new.
Saturday 1/3: Went out to Wachusett. Started at Gate 25 where I did not find the Barrow’s (or much of any goldeneye). Did have 3 Lesser Scaup though. Walked in from 39 next. Found the geese on the dike and picked out the White-fronted easily, although the angle wasn’t the best. Also more scaup, two eagles, and seven Horned Lark. Had to be in Lincoln around noon, so went to School St from here. Got lots of larks and a Snow Bunting but no longspur. Lot of Canadas at Nine Acre but no Snow or Rough-leg.
Sunday 1/4: Waited out the snow then went for the Yellow-throated Warbler at Revere Beach. Drove down the parkway and found a small group pointing cameras at a pine, so that was easy. Went back to the circle and scoped for a bit. Usual ducks and stuff but no luck with oystercatchers. Went to the greenway/cemetery next. Marsh was very flooded although nothing terribly exciting. Red-shoulder flew over the stump dump, which was nice. Gave the breakers another scan from the parking lot without luck, so went to Winthrop Beach too. Turnstone on one sister, a Purple Sandpiper on another, a few more ducks, and a big flock of Snow Buntings. Checked the river (frozen) and the res (same ducks) on the way home.
Monday 1/5: Rusty and Fox Sparrow at BBN among 30+ species, which was more than I expected in the cold.
Tuesday 1/6: Nothing east of the square, Pine Warbler was the only warbler still around west.