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"CACKLING" CANADA GOOSE



I just returned from a day birding at Lake Landing on the East side of Lake 
Mattamuskeet, NC.  I birded the impoundments by bike on what I will refer to 
as  "Trial #1."  This 1st trial was my attempt to work out the logistics of 
riding a bike while carrying my scope, tripod, camera with telephoto lens and 
binoculars.  I am doing this to prepare for a trip to Attu, Alaska next May.  
  

In any case, my highlight of the day was a single CACKLING GOOSE (also known 
as the Canada Goose subspecies "minima.")  I observed this goose in a flock 
of about twenty of the nominate race canadensis Canada Geese on impoundment 
MI-10.  The "minima" was literally no larger than the many Pintail in the 
impoundment.  If I had not previously seen one of these sub-species in 
Northern California, I would not have believed my eyes today.  The "minima" 
was dark on the breast.  I was unable to see a breastband.  The individual I 
previously photographed in Northern CA did have a very thin breastband.

The Geese were on the water until five (5) young Bald Eagles simultaneously 
came down low over the impoundment and flushed a significant portion of the 
Tundra Swans and this specific group of Canada Geese.  The Geese flew over me 
at fairly close range and landed on the main part of the Lake.

Other birds of interest in that area were one ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, one 
BLACK & WHITE WARBLER and the worlds largest population of Sedge Wrens, Swamp 
Sparrows and Common Yellowthroats.

I would consider Trial #1 a success purely by the fact that I did not crash 
my bike, did not hurt myself and did not damage any of my optics.  On the 
other hand, I definitely need to rethink how to carry all of the gear.  After 
numerous adjustments throughout the day I optimized some things, but I have 
along way to go.  Stay tuned for Trial #2 in upcoming weeks.

-Brad Carlson
Winterville, NC
Bcar105390@aol.com