Red throated Loon among a number of unusual species the last couple days

Red throated Loon, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Nov 12, 2026

Red throated Loon, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Nov 12, 2026

Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Nov 12, 2026

Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Nov 12, 2026

Although I missed finding a major rarity yesterday on Veterans Day (a date that has produced some mega rarities in the past for me including two first Hampshire County records with King Eider in 2013 and Pacific Loon in 2015) I did have a new species for the year this morning before the rain started with a vocalizing Red throated Loon at Winsor Dam.  I arrived and Ted was already on the bird.  It was way out to start but apparently flew in closer while we were distracted by other waterfowl.  The loon started vocalizing (not something that happens around here very often at all) and was in fairly close (at least for Quabbin).  It was really neat to watch it swimming around and vocalizing before it lifted off and flew around a bit as the rain started.  Red throated Loon is fairly annual with a few records most years although sometimes it can be tough to find even when checking a lot.  I then had to head over for a follow up appointment for my foot.  I stopped briefly back at the dam on my way home and the only waterfowl on the reservoir were a few Common Loons.

Nashville Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 11, 2026

Ruby crowned Kinglet, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 11, 2026

Red breasted Mergansers and a Common Merganser, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Nov 11, 2026

Bufflehead and Horned Grebes, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Nov 11, 2026

Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Nov 11, 2026

As mentioned above I didn't find any major rarity at the Winsor Dam yesterday but there were still some waterfowl around and I also added two warblers for the month at Silvio Conte NWR with a Nashville Warbler and Orange crowned Warbler (thankfully the warblers required almost no walking at all to see).

The rain  and northerly winds that started today will continue through a good portion of tomorrow in varying intensities before it finally ends (perhaps as a little snow) and then winds really pick up and the temps drop through the weekend.  I have my fingers crossed for some more rarities showing up...it will be sufficiently uncomfortable at the dam to earn a rarity or two.