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Back in October or so, I saw a collared Canada
Goose in a stubble field in Syracuse northwest of the 2000W/Antelope Island
Drive intersection in Davis County. I took down the numbers and with great
anticipation reported the goose to the Patuxent Bird Banding Laboratory in
Maryland.
Then my imagination took hold. >From whence
did this longed-winged one come? What exotic North American destination
had hatched this migrant? What cold place had felt the melancholia
produced by departing V-shaped formations that foretold the icy
grip of long, dark Old Man Winter? The Yukon Territories?
Manitoba? Nunavut, even?
I received a reply today from Rich Hansen of Utah
and alas, my flights of fancy were in vain. The goose was
hatched at Farmington Bay WMA, a mere dozen miles south of the Syracuse
location. At Farmington, researchers are studying the migratory patterns
of locally-produced Canada Geese. Researchers believe that after
the first shots are fired in October, locally-bred Canadas move to urban
areas like municipal parks, ponds, and the like. Bummer. My collared
goose wasn't even a Canadian Canada Goose.
Should you come across a collared goose in
your travels, please report the sighting to the Patuxent Bird Banding Laboratory
and copy in Rich Hansen at richhansen@utah.gov. The Patuxent
info takes a long time to trickle down to him.
Perhaps unlike me, you'll sight a world
traveler.
Kris
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