Barnacle Goose (no pics)

R

Rich Newman

Active member
I was out training the dog tonight at a local pond here in southern Ontario. There was a strange goose of the far bank. It was making a wierd quacking noice. Looked like a smaller Canada with a with a longer neck stocking and a larger white patch. Had to look it up on the internet to see what it was. Probably an escapee from someone's collection. That or he was really lost. He could fly quite well. Neat to see next time I'll take a camera.
 
We had one up here mixed in with some canadas one season a few years back. Actually have video footage of it some where.

Ramsey is right, "There are no fences in the sky"!
 
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That is a very neat sighting. I read your post and decided to do a little reading. I learned that the Barnacle Goose is considered to be closely related to the Cackling Goose family. We have been seeing more of these "little" geese every year along the north shore of Lake Erie. I hope you get a picture for us.
 
Rich

We have them here in the UK on the west coast of scotland, but they are on our protective list.
Take care and God Bless
Eddie and Amber
Its all about Building that Bond.
 
On occasion there have been several sightings here on the East End of Long Island. In fact we had a Barnacle Goose show up in the same field here in Montauk 2 years running and the 2nd year a Pink Footed Goose appeared at the same time. They showed up after a big Noreast blow in the winter. The birders here felt that they were blown here from Greenland. It could be that the bird was around all winter unreported or it could be that the birders in your area had been watching it all along. No matter what its a lifetime bird for your list and a great sighting. Thanks for the report.
 
Capt Jack

We have those pinkfoot geese here in the UK, they are only a small goose and dont weigh much heavyer than a mallard around about 6-7 lb I have shot a few of these. They arrive from Iceland in mid september to the top of scotland and work there way down the west cost of England until they reach southport but they dont go any father than that. There are 2 colinies of pinkfoot, the Icelandic and the Europian, The Europian mainly come to the east coast of England and settle at the Wash then work there way down the coast to Norfolk.
Take care and God Bless
Eddie and Amber
Its all about Building that Bond.
 
I have a friend that hunted in VA, when he was first introduced to waterfowl hunting.
To YANK his chain the more experienced guys would jump up and kill singles and then call the shot.
On one occasion he had the chance to pay them back.
The guide couldn't Identify the bird till the next day!
He has his Barnacle Goose mounted in a glass box!
 
Its neat when a good bird comes to Montauk in the winter . The first time the Barnacle Goose showed up I had people froma s far away as Minnisota calling me and wanting to know if they could come and see it. A few years back we had a Northern Lapwing show up in a lot in Southampton, birders flocked from every state to see that one. And just about a month ago 2 Sandhill Cranes showed up in the lot I have one of my pits in, I went looking for them on several occasions but never got to see them. Eddie are Pink Footed Geese TASTEY?
 
Went back to the pond this morning after a quick but unsuccesful turkey hunt, took my camera to get some pics of the Barnacle goose. He was nowhere to be seen. The pond is 50 yards from the bank of lake Ontario so maybe he was just resting on his way back to Greenland. On the plus side I ran some huge waterblinds with my young dog. Oh well I guess you should carry a camera with you at all times when outdoors. Thanks everyone I guess I'm realizing what a significant sighting this was. Rich
 
I live in upstate NY and two years ago I watched a Barnacle goose for over a month come in with a flock of Canada's. They get mixed up from time to time.
 
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