Hi All,

Nota Bene: In Phil's post about the recent AOU Check-list supplement it
stated quite clearly that Richardson's Goose is included within the new
"Cackling Goose" species concept. It is still of value to report subspecies
within the Cackling Goose *sensu lato*, including the *minima* record noted
by Gail, but it is also important to note that the most regularly seen
version of the "new" Cackling Goose in our region is *hutchinsii* -  now
known in English as Richardson's Cackling Goose.

Walter Ellison

23460 Clarissa Road
Chestertown, MD 21620
phone: 410-778-9568
e-mail: 

"A person who is looking for something doesn't travel very fast" - E. B.
White (in "Stuart Little")

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gail Mackiernan" <>
To: <>
Sent: Friday, July 23, 2004 8:29 AM
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Goose Subspecies of Maryland


> There was a bonafide Cackling Goose at Belle Haven marina (VA) couple of
> years ago, found by Barry and myself, and well-photographed by Jon
Alderfer.
> It was not only very small, it had a deep purplish breast which blended
into
> the black neck. There was a thin white collar around the base of the black
> neck. There were other features which differed quite a bit from the more
> common small "Richardson's" Goose. It stood out immediately when first
seen.
> While it was positively ID'd as a Cackling Goose, we were told by Mary
> Gustafson that these are common in captivity so the record was never
> submitted. Now that the species has been split, we may put the record in
(to
> VA records committee) just to establish occurrence in this area.
>
> Gail Mackiernan
> Colesville, MD