I probably saw the same goose up close about 10:30, right at the boat ramp. 
I guess Snow x Canada is a possibility, but the bill seemed rather short and 
stubby.

Also got a good close look (along with Rick Sussman and his group, and 
several others) at the Eared Grebe near the docks.  That was about 10 AM.

Saw no swallows around the bridge (about 11:00).  Guess I should have waited 
around for a while.

Earlier (8:45), I drove right up to the crane in Poolesville.  It was only 
20-25 yards off the road, about a quarter mile north of the golf course 
entrance (near the deer carcass).  In addition to the dozen or so vultures 
around the carcass, three or four were following the crane.  Although I 
didn't see it fly, the crane seemed perfectly healthy.  The vultures seemed 
a little afraid of the crane, although it didn't seem a lot larger than they 
are.

    Bob Hartman
    Colesville,MD




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gail Mackiernan" <>
To: <>
Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2004 7:15 PM
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] CAVE SWALLOWS at Black Hill


> Barry and I and Harvey and Marian Mudd were also at Seneca Lake (Black
> Hills) around noon today and there were no Swallows nor Eared Grebe nor 
> Loon
> visible. However Barry did sight an unusual goose up in the cove towards 
> the
> boat ramp area, but we were unable to relocate it after the first brief 
> view
> from our vantage point. Probably this was your hybrid.
>
> Harvey and Marian were at the Black Hills boat dock yesterday at the exact
> same time as we were at the bridge and saw the Eared Grebe halfway out so
> that is what we saw yesterday in distant ("untickable") views. They also
> confirmed it seemed to "vanish" so it can be elusive.
>
> We will probably try again tomorrow, come rain or high water or...
>
> Gail Mackiernan
>