Ross 's geese are on the upswing and that is why we are seeing more of them.
Around 1960 less than 10,000 were found in a primary Canadian nesting area, but by the mid-seventies their numbers had climbed to just under 80,000. As recently as 2010 that same arctic nesting area (near Queen Maud Gulf) held more than 700,000 Ross's geese. They seem to be more prevalent in wintering areas of the western US, and they were in good numbers at Bosque del Apache when I was there last fall. Ty Smedes [email protected] Ty Smedes Nature Photography 4732 72nd Street Urbandale Iowa 50322-1148 phone: 515-270-9086 -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Gerald Teig Sent: Thursday, March 01, 2012 7:06 PM To: IA-BIRD Subject: [ia-bird] Linn County Ross's Goose? I stopped by Squaw Creek Park on my way home from work. I got there just before five and saw a number of Canada Geese and Mallards in the pond in front of Red Cedar Lodge. There was also small white bird swimming. I parked at the Lodge and walked back to the pond. About half way there about half the geese took flight, including the white one. As I was leaving about 15 minutes later I saw some white in a fallow field to the left (north) of the road. I stopped and managed to get glimpses through the trees and bushes of a very small white goose with the Canada Geese. It was much smaller - about the size of the mallards. When they finally flew from the field I could see the black primaries. I recently moved from the Delaware area where I saw a lot of Snow Geese. This was like a very small chunky Snow Goose - a Ross's Goose. There was also a duck near the mallards that wasn't quite like the others. my immediate impression was female Pintail. --- Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! --- Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use: Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0 --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/PayDues.aspx. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected] --- Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! --- Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use: Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0 --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/PayDues.aspx. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
