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Post by Gord on Apr 27, 2023 11:36:07 GMT -8
I’ll get the word out on a possible Ross’s Goose flying west with about 5-6 Cackling Geese low over the Vedder River from Giesbrecht Road. Perhaps they’ll stop at the field just west of the Blue Heron Reserve where some Snow and Cackling Geese have been lately. Need to get a good look to rule out a hybrid with a Snow Goose.
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Post by Gord on Apr 27, 2023 13:54:11 GMT -8
Well why not at the cackling goose capital of Chilliwack than Sardis Pond. Got some great shots it looks good to me not a hybrid.
Will share photos later. Jamie may get to it before me.
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Post by Jamie on Apr 27, 2023 15:17:31 GMT -8
still there as of 4 it was feeding on land at the far end of the pond, but now it’s in the middle of the pond
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Post by Jamie on Apr 27, 2023 15:50:45 GMT -8
Here's a picture of it. The short triangular bill with the grayish patch, along with the straight border where the bill meets the face, and the small grin patch are good field marks. It was about the same size as the minima Cackling Geese it was hanging out with, so a very small goose. Had it been a hybrid, I'd expect it to have some combination of bigger bill, bigger grin patch, and larger size overall. Nothing about this one looked like a hybrid, it definitely appeared to be a pure Ross's Goose. Here's a picture showing a size comparison. It was really quite tiny!
The whole time I was there it was contentedly feeding on the grass or swimming in the pond, and it seemed mostly undisturbed by the people (and dogs) walking past. It was nice to meet other people looking at it as well. I hope it sticks around but with this nice weather I think it will be taking off tonight. Interestingly this is the first record for the Fraser Valley
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Post by Dave on Apr 27, 2023 17:28:19 GMT -8
Still there when we left at 6:00. Thanks for sharing the sighting!
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Post by Jamie on Apr 27, 2023 18:24:25 GMT -8
Wasn't there at about 7pm when I looked. Most of the geese were flying away as I arrived. I checked the corn field next to Sardis Park no luck either, so I guess it moved on, unless it returns tonight.
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Post by Gord on Apr 27, 2023 19:20:12 GMT -8
We just saw it on Sumas Central in the field with other geese. Best view from Evans Elementary parking lot.
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Post by Gord on Apr 27, 2023 22:58:06 GMT -8
Quite the bird and a fun story to go with it that I'll share now that I've sat down.
This morning I saw them coming downstream direction quite low (150 feet up) and moving very quickly. Funny enough my first fleeting thought was "male Common Merganser with some hens?" but no; clearly little geese and the white one just as small if not a tad smaller. I suspect the swift and low flight was they were worried about an eagle which is something Canada Geese do not worry about. I've seen flocks of Cackling Geese flying evasively. They're certainly more nimble than Canadas. I went for my camera which was close by hoping they would swing back up but they either went north or westwards despite my keeping my eyes on them and fumbling with vehicle door. Huh, at this point there's no way to be sure that's a pure Ross's Goose as they're known to hybridize with Snow Geese. Even a photo probably wouldn't have been conclusive. Jamie and Krissi checked some areas with no luck. I figured my field notebook would have to have Ross's/Snow Goose for that sighting.
On my way home later that afternoon on a whim I thought I'll stop at Sardis Pond as I had a few minutes before my next commitment. From the parking lot, I could see a white goose on the grass at the northwest corner. It looked small. Oh wow, this could be lucky! Seems it was fortunate and the bird super calm and feeding next to the trail. I got some quick photos because I really did only have a few minutes. Exciting stuff and so neat to be at Sardis Pond of all places that has now had six geese species.
Jamie took Benny later for a try when the opportunity came for him to see it too but it was gone. Nuts!
On my own way back home down Evans near Sumas Central close to 8:00, I saw four Canada Geese in the field. Seconds later I glanced out my window and saw a handful of Canada Geese with some Cackler's and the Ross's following close behind! It looked like they had set their wings to land in the field which I hoped they did. Grabbed Benny and the scope and back we went and he's a lucky boy! Otherwise his mother and non-birding siblings would have seen it and not him!
There's a good chance they will have gone back to Sardis Pond tonight after feeding and could be there first thing. If they keep their feeding schedule, they might leave soon after first thing but return midday before heading out again late afternoon. Just a question how long the Cacklers and Ross's will stay before wanting to keep moving north. Weather is prime for migrating. Fingers crossed for those who'd like to try and see it yet.
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Post by Gord on Apr 28, 2023 5:57:53 GMT -8
It is here this morning at Sardis Pond swimming with a Cackler.
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Post by Gord on Apr 28, 2023 6:25:12 GMT -8
And it flew. West maybe back to Evans x Sumas Central field
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Post by Gord on Apr 28, 2023 6:37:40 GMT -8
It’s at Evans again and close to the school this morning. Pro D day so parking lot is empty.
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Post by Ben on Apr 28, 2023 6:51:16 GMT -8
6 Goose species? Sounds like it's time for pink-footed... 0: ]
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Post by Arden on Apr 28, 2023 8:17:03 GMT -8
Just checked, no longer at Evan's.
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Post by Arden on Apr 28, 2023 9:04:23 GMT -8
Not at Sardis Park this morning either. Nice to meet some like minded folk enjoying the same pursuit.
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Post by Gord on Apr 28, 2023 12:56:35 GMT -8
No luck at Sardis Pond at 1:45. No Cackling Geese either.
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