Probable Ross's Goose Douglas, Allegan Co. 12-31-08

[brighamr at freeway.net]

I am re-sending this from yesterday as there was a glitch in the address
so it never got posted - my fault. The bird was not present this
morning.

Rick
---------------------------------

Greetings, 

As I was about to drive into my driveway from
work this evening a small white goose with black primaries flew over in a
flock of 20 Canada Geese. I made chase and at dusk finally
found the
bird tucked into an inlet on Kalamazoo Lake. I am nearly certain that it
is a Ross's Goose as it has many traits neccessary to seperate it from
Ross's x Snow Goose hybrid. Evident were small triagular bill with blue
carbunkles at base and indistinct grin patch, vertical bill/feather
interface at the base of the bill, petite round head with steep
forehead
and short neck. It is smaller than the Canada's it is with
whether in the air or on the water. I plan on checking in the morning to
confirm more details.

Directions:
>From either of the
Saugatuck/Douglas exits on I-196 go to the stop light in Douglas at Center
St. Turn west on Center St. to the first stop sign at Ferry St. Turn right
on Ferry St. and then right again on Westshore St. and park along the
shoulder of the road. You will have to return to Ferry St. on foot,
continuing in the same direction down hill to where the road crosses a
small creek. To the right is the inlet where the bird was this evening.
Take care not to surprise the waterfoul that are present as they are close
enough to be easily disturbed. Most are Canada's and Mallards, but there
are Hooded Mergs and Ring-necked Duck as well as other species.

Good Birding,
Rick Brigham
Douglas

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.envirolink.org/pipermail/mich-listers/attachments/20090101/478a7787/attachment.html