I pulled into Timber Point Golf Course at about 9:15 AM. I noticed a goose herd feeding on the course, just south of the driving range area. This is toward the west side of the course near the canal. I parked along the canal and began walking toward an open area where I could get a nice detail on the geese. Simultaneously, I noticed a pedestrian walking a dog heading right toward the herd. The flock of about 300 geese lifted before I could sift through them on the ground. In flight, at relatively close range, I noticed a petite white goose traveling with a sub flock of about 10 Canada's. The Ross's type goose was markedly, not just slightly, smaller than the Canada's with which it travelled. Next, I tried to get a good handle on bill size and shape. I barely even noticed bill protrusion. The overall size and shape of the birds body and bill point directly to Ross's Goose.
The flock flew east toward the Connetquot River and 5 shotgun blasts sounded loudly. The Ross's did not drop but the blasts were enough to send the sub-flock, which contained the Ross's toward the south, mouth of the river. The larger herd flew north up the river. Of course, I would have preferred to detail this bird while on the ground so I could rule out Ross's X Snow. But I'm very comfortable saying that there is almost certainly a Ross's Goose in the area. I eventually crossed paths with the hunters who acknowledged a "small Snow Goose" later flying up river. I spent 4 hours trying to refind this bird but finally just gave up. Last I checked, there were some geese back on the ponds at the golf course. Hoping they reconvene tonight and commence feeding tomorrow morning. A very frustrating search and chain of events. I'm really hoping this bird gets relocated. Best, Derek Rogers Sayville -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
