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Here's a birding
challenge for you--I believe I saw a first-year Greater White-fronted Goose at
Kaysville Ponds at midday today. It would be great if another
birder could visit the location to confirm or refute the sighting.
The goose was also there yesterday and conveniently, five
Graylags were present today at another pond for comparison.
The goose is keeping
company with many Canada Geese, Mallards, etc., in the north pond--the only
pond with any appreciable open water. It is very difficult to find
amid all the Canadas. I came across it by accident yesterday; today, I
knew what I was looking for and still needed at least 20 minutes and three
sweeps through all the waterfowl to find it. Then it just floated into my
binoculars with a group of Canadas less than 150 feet
away. Surprise! I had given up seeing it again. Your
chances to pick out the goose might be better if it's standing on the
ice. Then you'll be able to see the orange legs and absence of
belly. But if it's in the water with head tucked...good luck. I saw
it both swimming and standing.
Here's why this ID
is a real toughie. I think this goose is a juvenile Greater White-fronted
because neither the white front, dark belly marks, nor white tail tip are
completely developed. The beak is
a washed-out pinkish-orange. The white front around the beak shows
somewhat and the light color is backed up by a darker color that fades into
the face. The black belly marks are not apparent, but the bird has
some faint darker mottling on the lowest area of its neck. It also shows
the white flank line between the wing and the flank. The primaries are
just a bit longer than the tip of the tail and they obscure the tip when
the bird swims. When standing on the ice preening, it fanned
its tail and I could see several of the tail feathers--not all of
them--were white-tipped.
The
most significant thing I noticed about this bird was the absence of the
deep, heavy, low-slung white belly that Graylag Geese
have.
On a behavioral
note, the goose shook its head frequently as if flinging off water
droplets. It did this while in the water (although the bird never dipped
its head under the surface), while preening and while simply standing. The
only time it stopped this behavoir was when its head was tucked.
I saw the five
Graylag Geese both last week and today. They keep to themselves
and were at a teenie-tiny spot of open water just south of the gate between the
north pond and the next one south. The Graylags appear much
heavier-bodied than the possible GW-fG in the north pond. In fact, the
single goose I described above looked quite streamlined in comparison.
The Graylags have strong orange legs and beaks, appearance of shorter
wing tips folded over their tails and the heavy white bellies. When not
poking around in the water or in the grit on the bank, they simply stared ahead
silently, looking...well;...stupid.
I stand ready to be
corrected on the possible ID of the more cerebral-looking
goose.
On another note,
almost all the waterfowl occupies the shrinking north pond and everything ('cept
that goose!) is easy to study. For you fans of Hooded Mergansers
and Ring-necked Ducks, I saw about a dozen Hoodies and a dozen and a
half Ring-necks today. Keep an eye out for a male Belted Kingfisher that
sometimes hangs out in the trees by the footbridge at the north pond. I've
seen him at that locale a couple times in the last week, too.
Carol Davis and others asked about the 'No
Trespassing' signs on the property. I believe they're intended to keep
people off the unplanted areas and not the paths, but you might want to call to
make sure. Bill Fenimore kindly supplied the name and number of a contact
at the USU Botanical Gardens who can field your questions: Richard
Anderson; 593-8969.
To reach Kaysville Ponds, take Exit 331 off I-15
and turn east. In approximately 1/2 mile, turn right on Main Street
and proceed south for 1/4 mile. Then bear right on 50 West. Drive
approximately a half mile--maybe a little more--and you'll see the ponds on your
right. They're sandwiched between 50 W. and the interstate.
Let me know about that goose! Kris
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