Harlequin Ducks, Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, Rhode Island

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge in Rhode Island has one the largest wintering flocks of Harlequin Ducks in the east coast.

If you are in the area this is a good place to see these ducks.

Kind Regards.

No Harlequin Duck as of Oct 17th
Small flocks of Yellow-rumped Warblers, Common Eiders in the distance, Laughing Gulls, Turkey Vultures and the usual suspects.
Oh, and an unidentified raptor, maybe a peregrine falcon or northern harrier that was on the horizon which have been known to visit the area.

Awesome Andy!

Ben

I’ll be on Aquidneck Island in a couple weeks, and hope to find time to make it to Sachuest. My only regret is I moved away from RI before my birding interests coalesced. Glad to see someone representing SE New England :)

Thanks, Andy, was able to spend a few hours (most of which was spent learning the shorebirds). At least a dozen Harlequins were present between rocks where there’s a birdwatching platform (with the built-in scope). Besides, like you mentioned, Common Eiders were present, Yellow-rumped warblers, Purple Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderlings, Black-bellied Plovers. There was a probable Common Loon as well. I was lax on the gulls, and didn’t look beyond Herring and Great Black-backed. I might’ve left a couple ducks “on the table” as I had to leave before I can spend time to ID them.

This was a good learning experience.

I was going to go Monday the 10th but it was extremely windy and choose a short hike instead. After your sightings I will have to make an extra effort to go.
Thank for the update. Kind Regards.