Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2002 08:56:45 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Gail Mackiernan Subject: Re: MD Barnacle Goose considerations In-Reply-To: <5.1.0.14.2.20020209220354.02ca2d30@127.0.0.1> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Hi -- One thing to be aware of is that many Barnacles in the UK are considered to be of suspect origin, not just those inland. They can be found in small groups on the south coast in winter, which is not a traditional wintering area, and the attitude towards these birds seems to be "who knows?" -- HOWEVER, in winters where the Low Countries are flooded with winter rains, true wild wintering Barnacles often fly across teh channel and appear on the south coast. Barry and I saw several groups of these in the wet winter of 1993-1994, and Barry's brother ( a keen birder) felt that they were *probably* wild birds. However, the major wintering area for wild Barnacles in the UK is the wset coast of northern England and Scotland, the western isles, etc. Here on can seen flocks of thousands in the fields and there is no doubt of their origin! All of which is to say, that even in their native area, it is hard to separate wild from feral except in certain locations. Inland, a single with feral Canadas -- almost certainly an escape. On the Solway Firth in 1000's, certainly wild. In West Sussex, 4-5 alone on a small wetland in winter? Who knows? Cheers, Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper Colesville, MD On Sat, 9 Feb 2002, Phil Davis wrote: > MD Ospreyers - > > If any Barnacle Geese were to show up again in MARYLAND ... here is > something to think about ... such are the issues records committees deal > with ... > > This is a message excerpt cross-posted from NJ Birds about the Barnacle > Goose that was found at Merrill Creek Reservoir in that state on 2/5 ... > > > (snip) > >As Arlene notes, records of this species are usually treated with great > >caution. Paul Lehman comments: "There are many records of clear escapes > >throughout the East and Midwest (and even the West). But the species does > >breed in Greenland, so could occur as a legitimate vagrant here as well. > >The species in Europe is almost entirely coastal, so inland records here > >are additionally suspect. Having said that, a fair number of birders do > >like checking these birds out, and there has been a "rash" of sightings > >this winter between Massachusetts and Virginia, some greeted with more > >enthusiasm than others!! Basically, when dealing with this species in > >North America it's a tough call separating the possible small amount of > >wheat from all the chaff." > > > >This is a review list species, and good details would be valuable in > >helping the NJBRC attempt to make the tough call. > > > Phil > > =================================================== > Phil Davis, Secretary > MD/DC Records Committee > 2549 Vale Court > Davidsonville, Maryland 21035 USA > 301-261-0184 > mailto:PDavis@ix.netcom.com > > MD/DCRC Web site: http://www.MDBirds.org/mddcrc/rcindex.html > =================================================== > > ======================================================================= > To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com > with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey > ======================================================================= > ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================