next message in archive
next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects
All: Several have asked me about the status of the Barnacle Goose in NS, so here's an enlargement on what I sent to one enquirer. The NS Bird Records Committee, just struck this year, has not yet assessed our Barnacle Goose records, but these are my views. The flurry of reports in the S end of the province, begining in Sept. 1990, stemmed from a pair of escaped birds and their offspring produced in New Brunswick and subsequently returns NS, and more young, including Canada X Barnacle hybrids. It was this group that at first caused much excitement in New England in winter 90-91. So, none of the Barnacle Goos reports from that part of NS in the 1990s are "tickable." In my opinion the only "good" records here that I know of, apart from an apparent family group at Port Hebert, Shel. Co., in late Nov. 1969 (see Tufts; but, given the 1990 escapees??) have been: 1. A single bird with apparent _interior_ Canadas in the centre of the province in Nov. 1989; 2. Another at Waterside Prov. Park, Pictou Co., 27 Oct. 2003, which because of the locality (think of the later Pink-footed Geese), probably had nothing to CSI escapees. 3. The current one because of its associates - some smallish, darkish Canadas, i.e. possibly Baffin I. or Greenland-type Canadas of the subspecies interior, two or three Cackling Geese, and a Greenland Greater White-front. But assessing status of such birds is always partly a matter of faith. On Friday 18 Oct., there was a moderately large flock of geese on a field just beyond Central Onslow on route 2 (left from exit 14A about 7 km), but yesterday, I'm told, apparently no such gatherings. The original field on the Loch Haven Lane, 7 km. W on 236 from Exit 14) has been staked by goose hunters with decoys. So, finding the birds elsewhere, perhaps on relatively inaccessible fringes of Cobequid Bay, may be a challenge. But the Barnacle Goose (and maybe the other two species) is a highly prized lifer for those interested. Also, tomorrow, Sunday, is a no-hunting day, which may help. If anyone does find the bird, try to determine its age. Young birds, bereft of parents are more plausible wanderers. Fulton Lavender noted that its face was very white (a juvenile feature), with no hint of the creamy tones found in adults. But some adults, evidently, can have pure white faces. A better mark is of juveniles is the lack of distinct gray bars (or only washed out, blurry ones) on the posterior flanks. Good luck, Ian
next message in archive
next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects