I justed wanted to post a few additional details from the early morning sighting of the Pink-footed Goose today, and to thank all those who posted information and directions about this great bird.  First off, the cemetery is hard to spot and the black gates are probably a good marker for locating it, if the bird returns to that pond.   I probably would have missed it had there not already been two cars parked there when I arrived, even though I knew the general area to look.   There is space for a handful of cars at the entrance, but this is probably a good spot to carpool to, if possible. 

Just based on the posts from last night and what I saw this morning, I suspect that it may have spent the night there with 400 or so Canada Geese.    I arrived at 6:52 and the bird was in view on the far shore of the pond.  The bird was clearly visible as it walked along the slope above the pond in the grass, at times interacting with the Canada Geese also present.  Several people already had the bird in view when I arrived and more people came while the bird was still at the pond.  The views were great as the bird was standing in the grass the whole time, and I even got a few identifiable digiscoped pictures.  We got good looks at the bird from all angles, and had the chance to study the various marks of this distinctive goose (bill, legs, pattern on the upperparts, size and structure, etc.).  At approximately 7:20, the bird flew off by itself from the edge of the pond, took one or two passes over the surrounding fields (allowing great flight views), and then flew off with one close Canada Goose (again, allowing nice comparisons).  The grayish wash to the upperwing was especially distinctive in flight.  

Again, thank you to everyone who posted details about the bird and I suspect that the pond behind the cemetery will be a good place to check for this bird, particularly if it shows a pattern of spending the night there.  Good birding,

Fred Shaffer

Crofton, Anne Arundel

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