Summer
: Non-breeding.
Casual
mid May-early Oct on fresh or protected salt water.
Winter
:
Common
to
abundant
and
widespread
on protected coves and bays mid Nov-early Apr with
outliers
from late Oct and to early May.
Casual
on freshwater.
Miscellany: When Common Goldeneyes take off, their wings produce a loud whistling sound, thus the species' widespread colloquial name, "Whistler". The species nests in Hancock County and while not detected breeding here, it might at any time.