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Winter Birdwatching on Cape Cod

Like many humans a certain number of bird species go "South" for the winter. A few species which live in the far north during the summer chose the Cape Cod area to be their "South" as far as they are concerned. Thus winter birding on Cape Cod provides the serious birder the unique opportunity for seeing them. Species include the Great Cormorant, Glaucous Gull, Iceland Gull, Black Legged Kittiwake, several Alcidae species, sea ducks such as Scoter, Eiders, Mergansers, Oldsquaw and Bufflehead. Some of these species arrive as early as mid October and hang around until May.

All of the above are water birds, found on the shores of Cape Cod. There are many places to look for these birds from Buzzards Bay and the Cape Cod Canal to Chatham, Nauset Beach and Wellfleet.

Land birds found only in the winter here include Snow Bunting and Lapland Longspur.

Perhaps the best place to witness this winter phenomenon is Provincetown, a wonderful place to visit without the summer crowds. If possible, use binoculars. (Rentals are available at Bird Watcher's General Store, Rte. 6a, Orleans, 508-255-6974 or 1-800-562-1512.) Walk along the waterfront and out to the end of Macmillan Pier. You may be rewarded by some really close-up looks at these winter rarities. The Great Comorant can be distinguished from the Double Crested Cormorant by its slightly larger size and white under its chin. Look for gulls with all white wing tips. If you find one, it is most likely either an Iceland Gull or a Glaucous Gull. Scan the harbor and breakwater for Alcidae and ducks. Also do not overlook the birds sitting on fishing boats tied up to the wharf. Once I found an Iceland Gull among the Herring Gulls waiting for a handout. Also be sure to check under the pier. Often Black Guillemots swim close by.

If the weather permits, another must place to look is Race Point. In October and November one can regularly see pelagic birds and whales as well as the winter residents under discussion. The best weather condition is a light easterly wind. Bundle up for the cold and hike out to Race Point from the parking lot (about 1.5 miles). Here the deep water is only two hundred yards off shore providing one with opportunities to see close up jeagers, murres, Razorbills, loons and the winter ducks.

Walk back to the parking lot via Hatches Harbor, where along the edge one may find resident Horned Larks, Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspurs. Nothing is more beautiful than to see a flock of Snow Buntings moving through the beach grass looking for seeds.

In summary, the winter Cape Cod visitor has a great opportunity to see some quite rare birds, in the sense that only at this time of year are they present for viewing. The excitement and beauty is there for taking. Happy birding!

--Hanson Robbins