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Subject:

Barnacle Goose, 1/16

From:

James Tyler Bell

Reply-To:

James Tyler Bell

Date:

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:24:36 -0800

Jane Kostenko and I arrived at the boat ramp at the end of Buckingham Road around 0640. Shortly afterward, the geese started honking and becoming more active and it became light enough that we could scope the resting flock. We found the bird near the pier north of the boat ramp (90° turn to the left as you face the water, pier has a satellite dish on the end). Don Burggraf and Joel Martin showed up right about then and were able to set up scopes and watch it as it was most active. Others arrived starting around 0735 and by then the majority of the goose flock had gone back to tucking in heads. Since the BARG was at the back of the flock, it was hard to pick out. An adult Bald Eagle landed on the ice nearby which elicited no response! Anyway, we watched for a while then I texted all of the people who had responded to my query about coming today, then headed for Fishing Creek in Calvert to look for the Nashville Warbler and yet again whiffed.

My recommendation for those showing up early to look for the Barnacle Goose is: Don't waste your time looking in the fields. All of the eBird lists submitted as well as posts to MDOsprey note that the BARG has been seen first on the water. Eventually the goose flock moves up to the fields but this doesn't appear to happen much before about 1000.

In addition to the BARG and the Greater White-fronted Goose, there was at least one Cackling Goose in the vicinity, spotted by Jared Fisher. As we were waiting for the BARG to raise its head, a Cackling Goose swam directly in front of the resting flock. I'm sure with patience, more could be found but it's difficult to pick them out unless they swim right in front of the target bird!

 Tyler Bell


California, Maryland

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