Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 14:30:07 -0800 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Clive Harris Subject: Re: Harford/Cecil birds 1/21/04 (small goose) In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Chris The Richardson's (presumed Richardson's I should say) that I have seen have all been very small - not much longer in the body than Mallards or Canvasbacks when a direct comparison has been possible, and much much smaller than regular Canadas. They quite often seem to have a frosty look from the extensive pale barring on their backs (perhaps a little like the pale back typical on a Pink-footed) and of course pale breasts. What was the color the breast on your bird? Wasn't there a Cackling down at Hunting Creek in Alexandria two winters ago (in addition to a Richardson's and the Barnacle Goose)? However, they are a popular variety of Canada in collections so if seen round here may well be escapes. Regards Clive Harris Cabin John, Md Chris Starling wrote: Greetings, Yesterday I spent 6 hours touring through parts of Cecil and Harford Counties, namely Edgewood Area of APG and both sides of the Susquehanna River -from Havre de Grace to the Dam -back down to Perryviile. I ended the day with a nice hike through the woods from my house to my Father-in-laws house on Hances Point south of North East. I ended the day with only 52 species but the quality of birds were good. I got all but Pileated Woodpecker with Sapsucker seen in Edgewood and Hances Point. The Red-headed remains at its usualy location in Edgewood. This bird is becoming very red. I also did well with raptors tallying 6 Red-tails (one calling) at various locations, A sharpie at Edgwood, a ghost Harrier at Edgewood, a female Harrier at Tidings park in Havre de Grace, and many Bald Eagles scattered along my route. Waterfowling at Perryville was slim due to the ice but I did mange to see a hundred or so Tundra Swan on the Susq. Flats, as well as, 4 Mute Swan, Mallard, Black Duck Gadwall, Wigweon, Ring-necked Duck, Canvasback, Bufflehead, Common Merg, and Hooded Merg. Amoung the hundred or so Canada Geese at the Perryville Town Park was a VERY VERY small Canada Goose (more on that below). Tiding's Park Also held Canvasback and Common Merg. Along the River I was able to find Common Goldeneye at Lapidum and Rock Run and there were many Coot at Port Deposit. The Dam was very slow with onle a couple of Eagles seen and few gulls. The most intersting bird of the day was the small Canada Goose. It's bill was like that of a brant, and it's head was very round. What struck me the most about the bird was it's detailed back patterns. It reminded me of the Pink-footed Goose's back that I had just seen in PA. I have seen many Richardson's-type Canadas,but this one seemed MUCH smaller compared the common canadas. It was barley bigger then the Canvasbacks, with which it was swimming. I was able to snap of a few digiscope pics of this bird if anyone is interested. I would say that it mostly resembled the Cackling shown in Sibley's. My best Bird of the day was definatly the Eastern Screesch Owl I was able to call in at dusk. I was whinnying to some Cardinals and sparrows when I heard an owl call back to me. I had had this happen many times in the past but this is the first time I had one fly in to me. It perched about 30 feet away in a Whie Pine allowing for great looks (even in the dim light) for my wife, her father, and myself. My Father-in-law was so taken by the event that he has decided to become a birder (he was half sold already) and he has already given me money to join the Cecil Bird Club and MOS. A nice way to end the day huh? Good Birding, Chris Starling North East, MD ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free web site building tool. Try it! ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================