On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, four Common Goldeneyes from the far north arrived on the Merrimack River in Lowell, where they assembled midway between the Aiken and Bridge Street bridges. The four males, including one juvenile (trailing in the photo), dove repeatedly just off the Lawrence Mills wasteway—about 30 yards upstream from the Tsongas Center.*
Here's a very brief history:
On December 18, 2021 two dozen Common Goldeneyes had landed in the same area. And last January 12, an even larger group arrived accompanied by other species of diving ducks. So, the mid-November, 2025 arrival was quite early when compared to past appearances of migrating diving ducks from the boreal forests of Canada.
On November 20, 2025, the number of Common Goldeneyes foraging on the river increased to nine — six males (including the juvenile) and three females. A lone pair of Buffleheads trailed the goldeneye group by about 30 yards.
Previously, on November 7, a young pair of Mute Swans (photo below) had dropped by to explore the area. They haven't been seen on this stretch of the river since. The swans found plenty of aquatic plants to forage along the river's edge, so they may return. Based on the story of the family of six swans that unfolded on the waterway last winter—it's now known that the river's habitat is suitable for Mute Swans.
Based on the early arrivals of the diving ducks, the 2025/2026 winter season on the Merrimack River in Lowell looks promising indeed!
A young pair of Mute Swans share a moment of bonding on the Merrimack River.
*See Google Maps to ascertain the location of the landmarks mentioned the story.