The previously reported Greater White-fronted Goose was absent from
the pond along Brewer House Rd. in North Bethesda at 9:30 a.m. this
morning, but returned there some time later in the morning. It was
still there at 11:30 a.m., standing on a small patch of land at the
back of the pond farthest away from Tuckerman Lane, in the company of
20-30 Canada Geese. Interestingly, there were two playful River
Otters in the pond, whose activities seem to spook the geese off the water.
Diane Ford was on the spot when I arrived at about 11:10 a.m. and
Dave Powell arrived soon after that.
This goose is most likely of the Greenland race. Its bill and legs
are both approximately the same shade of orange. I didn't have a
scope with me, so could not see the finer patterns of feather edging,
etc. On the water, it looked distinctly smaller than the surrounding Canadas.
Mike Bowen
West Bethesda, MD
D.H. Michael Bowen
8609 Ewing Drive
Bethesda, MD 20817
Telephone: (301) 530-5764
e-mail: dhmbowenATyahooDOTcom |