During an afternoon visit, I observed a single Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) in with the Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) on the ice at the north end of the pond nearest to the Visitor’s Center. The goose in question was apparently half the size of the surrounding Moffitt’s Canada Geese (B.c. moffitti). The bird possessed a triangular bill and rather steep forehead. The neck appeared thick and short, and possessed an obvious neck-band. After consulting a number of references and comparing my all-to-distance images, I believe that the Cackling Goose is a member of the Taverner’s (B. h. taverneri) subspecies.
Radd,
Any Snowy updates?
I’m going to try to get away tomorrow and would like to find one closer to Whitehall than the obvious group at Polson.
RWBB singing?? What winter?
ps – met you a couple of years ago at Lewis & Clark Caverns when Tom Forwood had a night bird walk
Snowy update coming tomorrow…most of the new observations are north. Great to hear from you.