I think Gail meant to send this to the entire list, but it went only
to me instead...
June Tveekrem
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Summary of goose ID responses
Date: Fri, 01 Dec 2006 8:40 AM
From: Gail B. Mackiernan <>
To: June Tveekrem <>
Could someone (Phil, that's probably you...) confirm -- haven't all
the Cackling-type geese recorded in Maryland been "Richardson's
Geese" ("hutchinsii")?
Several years ago Barry and I found a "minima" Cackling Goose at
Belle Haven Marina (which is in Virginia, but close to MD waters) --
this bird was photographed by Jonathan Alderfer. This is the
smallest, darkest race of Cackling. The general consensus was that
the ID was correct but as that this form is well-represented in
captivity (it is amazingly cute) and as there are almost no records
indicating it routinely disperses to the east from its breeding
grounds in Western Alasjka (although can be found in California in
winter), the Belle Haven bird was more than likely an escape.
Gail Mackiernan
Colesville, MD |