Good that this bird was found again today. Bob Abrams, Joan Boudreau and I
watched it leave the pond on Belvoir Road (VA 709) and put down in a cow
pasture with Canadas at five PM last evening. The field was not viewable from
roads
though, which made it difficult. With the waterfowl that's flying over part
of the Region today (reported on the MD listserv), there's no telling how long
this bird will stick around. I would certainly suggest to anyone that checks
for this bird, that if it isn't on the ponds at Harrison or Belvoir Roads to
drive around a bit out there, and keep an eye on fields and any other bodies
of water.
When I tripped over this bird Sunday morning, I wasn't completely convinced
that the bird was a pure Ross's. It took a while to get the bird close enough
to thoroughly examine the bill, which to me still feels a bit off, but
probably good for Ross's. I most likely over scrutinized this thing as it was
alone
and not in contrast with Snow's as all the other Ross's I've seen have been.
The bill is certainly small, not showing a Snow Goose type grin patch, and
clearly has the bluish color to the two-thirds of the bill proximal to the
head.
It just didn't seem quite as stubby as I remember them looking, but I've only
seen a couple in the East, and it's been a couple years since I was in the
West seeing many more. I was also armed with the knowledge that Steve
Rottenborn had seen a Ross X Snow hybrid at this location in 2002, though the
likelihood seemed remote that it was the same individual.
Cheers,
Todd Day
Jeffersonton, VA
BlkVulture@xxxxxxx
You are subscribed to VA-BIRD. To post to this mailing list, simply send email
to va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx. To unsubscribe, send email to
va-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
