Some folks have written to me offline about the best times to see the *Barnacle Goose* at *Van Cortlandt Park*, so I figured I would to a broadcast post on the list serve for those who might be interested.
The Parade Grounds at Van Cortlandt Park could get very active on the weekends especially on Saturday's. If there are any cross country activities on a given Saturday, you had better get there by at least 7:30 a.m. to have a shot at the geese before the "feral primates" run the Geese off the field. Yes, there are folks whose job it is to clear the field of the birds + the usual knuckleheads who think it is fun. As it gets colder, there are less activities in the form of track events on the field, but one still has to deal with dogs off the leash and those dog owners who take pleasure in letting their dogs run through the geese flock. When this happens, sometimes the birds may circle back otherwise they head to the lake or golf course - *check those areas if you do not see the flock of Canada's on the field with the target bird.* As far as time, early is better *(as far as I know, but late afternoon could also be good)*. The Geese tend to fly in from the Lake around 7-7:30 and by 8:00 a.m. they are already gathering in numbers and setting up in the areas on the field where they will roam and feed. If you could make it during the week, that is probably the best times for less disturbances on the field and don't forget, there is a Cackling Goose (CACG) around as well. I have posted some photos I took today of both the Barnacle and Cackling Goose here ( http://birdingdude.blogspot.com/2012/12/van-cortlandt-bird-walk-report-12-15.html). Good Luck if you try for either birds. Good Christmas Count Birding!! Andrew Baksh Queens, NY www.birdingdude.blogspot.com On Sat, Dec 15, 2012 at 8:25 AM, Andrew Baksh <birdingd...@gmail.com> wrote: > The Barnacle Goose continues on the Parade Grounds at Van Cortlandt > Park. In addition one Cackling Goose has been identified in the flock > of Canada's so far. > > No sign of the visiting Ohio birders who wanted intel on the BAGO. > Hopefully they get here before the field gets too busy. > > Sent from somewhere in the field using my mobile device! > > Andrew Baksh > www.birdingdude.blogspot.com > -- 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/ --