There were large flocks of Dunlin on the Beach this day. This photo looking south from Plum Hills at low tide shows 2 large flocks - the front group counted (by scope) as 350-400. The back group extends to the left and stretches thinly to the right and is 3 times the size of the front group. The total for the photo is 1400-1600 birds.

There was another flock of 400-500 on the flats up at High Pines, and I don't believe they moved southward to become part of these flocks. I also encountered a flock of 800-1000 more on the shoreline of Crescent Beach. It is possible that these might have been part of the photographed group though I doubt it. Finally there were incidental smaller groups totalling approx 150.

The total for the day could have been as high as 3,250 (1,600+500+1000+150), but if I assume the Crescent birds are a duplication, and take the low estimates, then the count for the day was at least 1,950 (1,400+400+150). In the recent past, I've seen wintering populations in the 1,500 - 2,000 range, so while it is an unusual number in most locations, I do not believe it is an aberration for the Duxbury/Plymouth area.