Hi everyone, Regarding Bob's and Angus' queries about the identities of the Pink-footed and Barnacle Geese present now at Sunken Meadow SP, my own feeling is that the Barnacle is likely the same bird that wintered at Sunken Meadow SP in January 2008 (two winters ago, and that the Pink-footed is possibly the same bird that wintered at Stony Brook Mill Pond in February 2008. Both of those birds were clearly distinct from their conspecifics in Montauk that winter, as proven by sustained periods of concurrent observations at these widely separated sites. My reason for feeling that the Sunken Meadow Pink-foot might be the same as the Stony Brook bird is not based on any careful studies of photos, but the proximity of the two sites on the north shore of western Suffolk County is suggestive. Also, both birds struck me as being relatively large for PFGO, whereas the Montauk bird seemed more petite.
Shai Mitra Bay Shore -----Original Message----- From: ROBERT ADAMO rada...@msn.com Sent 11/4/2009 10:45:57 AM To: NY BIRDS NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu Subject: [nysbirds-l] Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. Sorry for this late post. Yesterday afternoon, somewhere between 3 4 PM, I arrived at the eastern parking lots, to find 3/4's of the birding McBrien Family present, and the birds absent. Mom, Barbara, along with son, Michael, and daughter , Megan, were just about leaving to try another spot in the park, and said that if they found the birds they would return and let me know. Well they did/did and I got to see the above. While looking at the geese, in glorious weather and sunlight I might add, I learned that Michael is a member of the NYSYBC, as well as a member of GSBAS. Barbara went on to tell me of her "moving shaking" after seeing the posts on NYBIRDS (on a school day) that eventually got them to SMSP-wow, I wish I had a mother like that! Before I forget, the birds were with a flock of Canada Geese in the grassy area, n/o the westmost parking lot, w/s of the entrance road, just after the bridge. Thinking back to the last time I saw these species together in Montauk, I couldn't help but wonder if this duo, could be the same birds (traveling partners if you will) that have surfaced locally again? Is this too much of a stretch-you never know! Cheers, Bob -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
