Re: Ross's Goose, Blue Snow Goose, Hooded Mergs, and 2 Herring Gu...

Observers: Justin Hite
Email: justinhiteatgmail.com
Verification: sierra
Remote Name: 65.241.2.253
Date: 11/28/2006
Time: 04:13 PM -0500

Sighting

I went back out to the delta early this morning (11/29), mostly because I wanted to see if I could get refind the Blue Goose to get pictures, but all the Snow Geese had moved on. However, several of the good birds from yesterday were still around including the 2nd winter Herring Gull, the Ross’s Goose, the male Canvasback, and the female Goldeneye. I forgot to mention this yesterday, but I want to thank Kristie Nelson for going over the subtleties of immature gull ID with me over the phone last night to confirm that this was indeed a Herring Gull. There were several additional good birds this morning, including three Long-billed Curlew, a single Long-billed Dowitcher (it flew over giving its flight call – keek, keek, keek-keek – allowing me to rule out SBDO), an immature Bonaparte’s Gull, a Juniper Titmouse with a swarm of Bushtits in the willows, and the female Long-tailed Duck (presumably the same individual). At one point all 1500+ waterfowl at the delta flushed, and I looked up to see a disinterested adult Bald Eagle cruise by and continue on.