After some overnight rain that was just coming to an end at dawn I headed over to Winsor Dam once again. Ted was already on location and had a smattering of waterfowl on the water and moving around a bit. Given the more southerly winds I was not expecting an epic day but figured there would be at least some stuff around to see and there certainly was. It seemed to be a merganser morning with all three species present with a few showing fairly well. As we continued to scan for waterfowl we had a cormorant fly in from the east/south and circle around before it settled on the water fairly close in. Ted got on it and immediately called my attention to it as it looked like it was a Great Cormorant! A great species inland for sure (see a note on all my previous sightings in the area below). It was a juvenile showing its large dark bill and white chin. It also had a fairly white neck with a dark chin strap like plumage giving it a rather unique look. It was very actively hunting near the dam and didn't stay on the surface very long. Eventually it perched on the dam for a short period and then continued fishing. It then caught a massive fish and with a bit of effort managed to swallow it. It then swam around for a bit before hauling back out on the rocks of the dam where it stayed for an extended period digesting its meal. We got the word out to other birders and they were continuing to arrive when I left. Great Cormorant is a rare species inland and I have only seen a Great Cormorant in Hampshire County on two other occasions with one at Arcadia in late October 2004 and another at Quabbin Gate 5 in mid October 2008. I also saw one in Turners Falls in February 2004 and another at Quabbin in Worcester County near the baffle dams in late November 2009. I know there are a few Great Cormorant records in the county the last decade or so but they all occurred when I was out of the country. Although I have the species at Quabbin before this was the first one I have had at Winsor Dam and with the recent addition of a Black headed Gull at the dam on November 1st I have now expanded my species list at the dam to 225 species! As we watched the cormorant we also had two Gray Catbirds in the thickets in front of the visitors center...hopefully they will try to overwinter. After leaving the dam I headed over Lake Wallace to try to find a Common Yellowthroat for November. Although I failed to find that species I did have a late Eastern Phoebe. Not a bad morning and nice diversion from some recent stress.
At this point in the year I now stand at 242 species, which puts me ahead of an average year and even if I add no more species this will end up being my fourth best year ever in Hampshire County.
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