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Hi All - Dad, Fulton & I had what could only be classified as a good day in
Truro. We arrived at McWilliam Road about 12:30 pm. Before I could even park
the vehicle we sighted a nice size flock of Canada Geese joining others in the
field opposite McWilliam Road including a GREATER SNOW GOOSE that stuck out
like a sore thumb. About 30 seconds after our feet hit the pavement we spotted
the GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. Two minutes later we found 2 CACKLING GEESE.
We figure it's not a bad day when one can glass 4 species of geese in a little
under 4 minutes.
After about 30 minutes of repeatedly scanning the large flock of Canada Geese
with binoculars & scopes we finally sighted the BARNACLE GOOSE. The "we" being
the three of us, Dave Tannahill of Owen Sound, Doug Sheepway of Owen Sound and
our own Angus MacLean.
After about 15 minutes the Barnacle Goose flew to the river providing a
wonderful opportunity to study it in flight. First when it landed on the river
it was even easier to see than in the field.
As more Canada Geese joined it on the river we lost sight of the Barnacle while
bidding goodbye to the Angus & the Ontario birders.
After about 30 minutes a large number of geese (even more than we could see)
begin flying off the river back to the field. There were so many geese in the
air at one time that we missed the Barnacle Goose as it returned to the field
but fortunately Don MacNeill fresh back from lunch was able to re-find the
Barnacle in the mulling mass of Canada Geese. Try as we may we couldn't
re-locate the goose for Bernice Moores. The good news is that Bernice was very
happy to get great looks at one of the Cackling Geese and plans to return
tomorrow for another shot at the Barnacle.
A side trip up McWilliam Road netted us an immature RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. The
woodpecker was flying repeatedly back & forth from house # 130 and the adjacent
corn field.
After exploring some nearby birding areas we returned to "the field" of geese
and were thrilled to find the Barnacle Goose so close to the road that we
didn't dare get out of the vehicle. We watched the bird until 5:30 and
litterally were able to study almost every feather & bare part on the bird. It
was nice seeing the bird but we all agreed it was spectacular to see it so
close. At this point the goose was directly across from Pleasant View Drive.
If that final look was the whip cream on the sundae the cheery on top was a
nice long close-up look at a covey of 18 GRAY PARTRIDGE behind the Wendy's in
Truro.
- Cheers, Clarence
PS - I hope Steve Vines got back in time from his meeting to see the Barnacle
Goose.
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