As I was getting back home after a walk with Wilson and getting him settled in for a bit I got a text from Ted letting me know he was able to relocate the probable Barrow's Goldeneye he had yesterday at the Holyoke Dam. He only had limited time yesterday to get any photos of the bird and some looked great for Barrow's while others were less definitive. Thankfully he went back today and confirmed it. As I said in my post from yesterday November 11th has a great history of rare birds and it happened again. Once I was sure Wilson was okay for a little while I made the drive down to the dam and had the bird almost immediately. It kept its head tucked in a lot of time but would then move around a bit from time to time and show its blocky head and small bill. It is a unique looking individual as it looks a little ratty and still has the dark eye of a juvenile. Very happy to add this species for the year as they are quite rare in Hampshire County. This is only my fifth Barrow's Goldeneye I have ever had in the county with my previous records being Nov 29, 2006 at Quabbin Park, January 29, 2016 along the Connecticut River in North Hadley, January 20, 2021 at Quabbin Park and late January into early February at the Holyoke Dam. This becomes species #242 for the county this year...this is just one behind 2022 for my third highest total ever with only 2020 (with 245) and 2021 (with my best ever total of 249) having higher year end totals. I could have chased a few other species earlier in the year if I had known I would have the potential of threatening my best year ever. It will be tough to add new species at this point but we are in rarity season so one never knows.
No comments:
Post a Comment