BARNACLE GOOSE - Augusta County, July 3, 2005
This past weekend Mark Johnson reported a sighting of a BARNACLE GOOSE by
his parents at a private camp ground in Augusta County the end of last week.
Mark drove up and confirmed on July 1.
I obtained permission to visit the camp ground and was able to photograph
the goose on Sunday. The goose was with several flocks of Canada's. One
flock it seemed associated with was a group of approximately 35 Canada's.
Other waterfowl included 17 Mallard including a hen with three goslings,
half dozen or so white "farm" ducks, and a farm goose. There clearly were
too many for this small lake (pond).
The camp director stated they have had problems with the Canada's making a
real mess of the grassy sections between the road and small lake and they
often times shoo them into the water. He mentioned a nearby farmer once
released, with permission, a couple of white ducks.. He didn't know about
the little black, white and gray goose. Several campers who had been there
for about a week indicated they had not seen the "little" goose during the
first part of the week and there seemed to be a "few more" geese.
During my observations, the Barnacle would swim around with the Canada's but
always distanced itself. If the one flock of Canada's swam to the right,
it would change course to swim to the right. However, whenever the geese
approached shoreline whenever someone was offering a free handout, the
BARNACLE always kept its distance and would not approach.
The one flock with the Barnacle finally came on shore away from nearby homo
sapiens and there was one goose that appeared to be on alert while the
others grazed. (It kept it's head fully extended, looking around and not
feeding or preening.) Several times the Barnacle was chased away by a
Canada if it got too close, usually within 2 feet. It would resume grazing,
appearing to avoid too close contact with the Canada's.
The bird appeared wild, was un-banded and had all its toes intact. Feathers
were worn with signs of molting.
Link to few pictures below:
Barnacle Goose:
http://www.birdsofvirginia.com/Gallery_pages/BarnacleGoose_Gallery.htm ;
Brenda Tekin
Charlottesville, VA
Leave behind what you find; if you must take something, take pictures.
Photo journal including Birds of Virginia:
http://www.birdsofvirginia.com ;<http://www.birdsofvirginia.com/>
