Date: Sat, 9 Feb 2002 15:09:11 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: David Mozurkewich Subject: Very small form Canada almost in Maryland In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Gail, I, too, crossed the dreaded Wilson's Bridge this morning in search of an enjoyable, non-Maryland birding experience. Although I spent most of my time birding in that other state, I justified the trip as an excuse to search for waterfowl in the PG county portion of the Potomac River from an angle I don't usually exploit. For anyone else considering this outing -- don't bother; the only PG county waterfowl were Canada Geese and Buffleheads, although I did see two Catbirds in Dike Marsh and ran into a local who claims a half-dozen Loons are wintering there. But the out-of-state geese were great. I started at Cameron Run, then hit several places along the Potomac from Dike Marsh to Mt Vernon and ended up at the north end of Belle Haven. I arrived at the stone bridge about 10:30. The odd Canada was one of the closest geese present. Lacking experience with these small Canada's, I did not notice the white base to this bird's neck, but I did not look explicitly for it and I was lacking your firepower. The goose was very small with a remarkably tiny bill; perhaps even smaller than on the (more typical?) Richardson's Geese I did see earlier this winter. I don't like the Richardson's Goose ID for this bird since it was darker than what I expected, but I don't like the Cackling Goose ID either since they are supposed to have round heads. While I was there, this bird had a steep forehead and a flat crown. I called it Richardson's-like (perhaps incorrectly) based on shape rather than plumage and walked south. I, too, am very interested in additional comments on the identity of this bird. When I returned to the bridge about 11:30, the small goose, now absent, was replace by a nice Blue Goose. Yet another fine bird almost within sight of DC (and PG) waters. So I ended the morning with four "species" of geese; not bad on this side of the bay. Dave ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================