We saw the ROSS'S GOOSE early this afternoon, Wednesday March 30. 

We probably first saw it on March 19, when we reported what we thought was a Snow Goose in the same location. At that time, we did not notice that the bird was small enough to be a Ross's, though I remember losing it behind Canada Geese. We did not drive down the dirt road for a closer look, but scoped across the field north of Morgantown Road. Visibility was poor, with a lot of heat shimmer, and we were not able to see the bird's bill. In retrospect it was careless to assume it was a Snow Goose, but this seemed much more likely (it wasn't even a county bird).

Viewing conditions today were excellent and we were immediately able to see the bird's smaller size and characteristic bill. At first, the flock was east of the pond, but the birds flew up, affording a good look at the Ross's, and then settled in the pond for awhile, where it looked petite indeed.

Thanks to Ron and Jim for identifying this bird. We are not confident that we saw it on March 19, and as we're no longer confident we saw a Snow Goose either, that record has been deleted. Apologies for an erroneous report.

Leslie Starr & Joe Turner
Baltimore & Port Republic

  

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