This afternoon I was at the Harrison Road pond from about 2:15 to after 3:00
pm and then again from about 3:45 to 4:45 pm. I did not see either the male
Eurasian Wigeon or the Greater White-fronted Goose among the hundreds of
Canada Geese and the dozen plus Mallards. Other ducks were 1 Gadwall,
several American Wigeon, a handful of Black Ducks, and a few Buffleheads and
Hooded Mergansers.
During my second visit, all the geese took off (including a hundred or so
that had been hidden) when an adult Bald Eagle hove into sight. I spotted a
flying juvenile Snow Goose at this time, and saw it on the water a little
later. Its black flight feathers, dingy white upperparts, cleaner white
underparts, dirty face, and pinkish bill distinguished it from a whitish
barnyard escape.
A hybrid goose with Canada and Anser ancestry was also with the flock of
Canadas. It resembled the illustration of Canada x Greater White-fronted,
but as it was larger than an adjacent long-necked large Canada Geese (and
the white-front is smaller), and several hundred feet away from me, I can't
be sure of the parentage.
Best,
Rob Hilton
aimophila10@xxxxxxxxxxx
Silver Spring, MD
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