ML625862259

Observation details

Picked while scanning a distant flock of Canada Geese on a hillside about 800m away. I noted a silvery, smaller goose with a white line down its flank. I immediately noted that its head and neck were all dark with no white cheek patch. I could also see that its legs were pink. At one point the bird's tail became visible at an angle below its folded wings and I could see a lateral white tail bands. I relocated to a closer vantage to attempt better viewing and photos. From this closer vantage I could see the bird's small bill was largely dark with some orange-pink splotching and the field marks I had previously viewed were much more evident. Before I could satisfactorily photograph the bird on the ground the flock took flight. It was difficult to find the bird with my camera so I took some hopeful shots of the entire flock. Later I checked my shots and saw that I got documentation of the white tail with a faint gray band and largely silver gray wings with a dark trailing edge. Also earlier this winter a pink-footed goose was seen just down river at Shirley Plantation but then was not seen after that day. I suspect this is that bird. **NOTE: Added this record to the list Nov. 2024, much after the observation to alleviate private landowner concerns.