Hi --

We drove around the Agricultural Research Center in Beltsville today, hoping
to locate a flock of blackbirds with (maybe??) something interesting in it.
Well, we found a moderately large BB flock but nothing unusual could be
identified.

We also spent some time looking at two flocks of Canada Geese for Cackling
Geese -- no luck on these but we did see an interesting individual which
showed characteristics of one of the darker western races. That is, its
upper breast was tawny-brown in color, a warm tone over the entire breast
which made it immediately stand out from its flockmates, all with the usual
grayish breasts. The white chin strap was also rather narrow. The back color
was identical to the other geese. In size and general proportions it was
well within the range of our regular Canadas.

Didn't have the camera (still in the other car from yesterday's CBC, a
slip-up) but if anyone gets out there try and snag a photo. If it is one of
the western races (such as Dusky, although it appeared not dark enough for
that ssp. based on the few photos we could locate on the web) it would be
worth recording. Of course origin is always an issue...

Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper
Colesville, MD