With rain forecast for most of the day I didn't get up and moving as typical for early May (which is still early nonetheless). I checked the radar and saw that there was no rain nearby and I figured I could get a couple hours of birding in before the rain eventually arrived. I decided to try my luck at Winsor Dam where I arrived a bit before 5:30. I scanned the water as I was getting the scope out and noticed a group of larger waterfowl on the water near the boat cove that looked interesting. Once I got a look with the scope I quickly identified them as Brant...a rare species in the area for spring. I got some photos in the bad light and got the word out to some others. As I watched them they took off and circled around a couple times before disappearing to the north where I followed them until they were out of view. I then informed people the Brant had unfortunately departed. Much to my surprise the Brant returned around six and then disappeared to the southeast over the dam. I figured this would be the last I saw of them but I was once again wrong as several minutes later they reappeared once again and then settled on the water fairly close in. I once again got the word out and a few birders arrived to see them as they took off and then settled very far out. A truly rare sighting for a species I don't expect to see until the cold of fall arrives and usually they are seen on windy days at that point. Besides the Brant there were other notable waterfowl around for the date including Bufflehead (at least ten individuals over multiple stops), three Red breasted Mergansers and a high count of nine Hooded Mergansers (I ended up having all three species mergansers there for the morning). To show one just how rare Brant are in Hampshire County in the spring this is my first spring record ever (granted I do not spend a lot of time looking for waterfowl at the peak of warbler migration but on crappy weather days I certainly spend some time at the dam and other spots where Brant could show up).
Today also marked a milestone for the year in Hampshire County as I reached the 200 species mark earlier than I ever have before. This is mainly thanks to a slightly earlier migration for a number of species. There have been a few rarities around for the year so far but not too many. I managed to reach this milestone even with missing a number of species (such as Sandhill Crane and Least Sandpipers) that have been around that I have not chased as circumstance have kept me closer to home. I'm unlikely to beat my best year ever in the county without tons of rarities but one never knows.
No comments:
Post a Comment