Greater White-fronted Goose at Willband ponds

[Deleted]

There was one Greater White-fronted Goose among a flock of Canada Geese at Willband ponds on Bateman Road in Abbotsford yesterday afternoon. There have been a few reports of this species already in the Lower Mainland, but I should have checked its status in the upper valley before assuming it wasn't important to report. I see it is shown as rare starting only in October on Gord's seasonal status chart.

Nothing else of note except 7 species of dragonflies/damselflies, on what might be the last warm sunny day of the season.

A note of caution -- vehicle break-ins are unfortunately very common there. Don't leave anything of value in your vehicle, visible or otherwise.

Stan Olson
Abbotsford, BC

[Gord]

Stan, hope you are not citing the break in problems after a personal experience.

As for the goose, they are not as common out this way as they seem to be on the coast. I think they get records near the end of August but it is November before we have reliable sightings. Interesting!

Also, your sighting breaks the record for species seen in a month. Wetlander's Redhead tied it. May had 155 species and September is now at 156 provided that Barn Owl does not do it's irregular screech outside the window here within the next 45 minutes.

[Deleted]

No, the break-in didn't happen to me. I met a couple on the trail just coming from the parking lot who told me about it, so they must have arrived as someone else was finding their broken window and loss of equipment. Another time we went there to walk and met friends who had just returned to the parking lot to find that her purse, which she had left in the trunk, had been stolen. So don't place your valuables in your trunk before you head off on the trail. That just lets anyone lurking around know exactly where to find them.

Stan

[Deleted]

I just had an email from friends who checked Willband last evening and again this morning and did not find the Greater White-fronted Goose, so it must have spent the night elsewhere. I don't have any experience with how long this species stays around one place, so no idea if it is to be expected there again.

Stan

[Gord]

Stan, I think often the white-fronts get mixed in with a Canada Goose flock. If the flock is one that overwinters in the area, it will be found most of the time.

In my experience, the early ones dont hang around very long. Cheam Lake always gets a few, and they're often family units which move along fairly soon. Interestingly enough but maybe not surprisingly, the ones that are more reliable to find and mixed in with Canada Geese are one or two birds.

Ive been enjoying the 'last' of the dragonflies as well. Ive been noticing lots of meadowhawks and darners.

Good advice on vehicle safety. I have taken to only taking what I plan on taking with me on my walk and not leaving anything in my car. It's almost at the point where criminals are starting to find it's worthwhile to break into cars so they can check the trunk. So much for the out of sight rule. Expect to see that advice not being used as much.

Also worthwhile to check who's sitting in their cars in the parking lot. Recently, I casually looked at a couple of guys just sitting in their cars. It was not long before they pulled out and left. Coincidence or they were casing vehicles to see what items were being put in the trunk and didnt like the attention. Problem with that idea is some people need much less to get out and start getting aggressive with you.

It's really too bad.