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"CACKLING" CANADA GOOSE
- To: carolinabirds@acpub.duke.edu
- Subject: "CACKLING" CANADA GOOSE
- From: BCar105390@aol.com
- Date: Sun, 12 Dec 1999 17:17:28 EST
- Sender: carolinabirds-owner@acpub.duke.edu
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