[Ontbirds]white-fronted goose

[gerald paul]

Today, March 29, at noon, from the Amherst Island ferry while leaving the ferry dock, we saw seven Canada Geese standing on the ice and with them was a Greater White-fronted Goose. Its white forehead behind the yellow-orange bill, orange feet, yellow-orange legs, speckled black patches/bars on the belly and white line along the sides made it easy to identify. From the passenger window on the ferry we had a clear view as close as 5-10 metres. We watched it as we aproached the goose, when we were broadside and as we passed it.
We were not sure whether it was of the Tundra or Taiga population. We have no reason to believe it was a domesticated escapee but would welcome information on this sighting.

Besides the White-fronted Goose, we saw 5 American Kestrels, 7 Rough-legged Hawks, 2 Red-tailed Hawks, 4 Northern Harriers, many Killdeer, Song Sparrows, Robins, etc. and 10 species of duck. We had birded from 10-12.

Gerald & Shirley Paul (paulgw73 at hotmail.com) Kingston, ON.

To reach the island take the ferry (every hour on the half) from Milhaven about 25 km west of Kingston via Hwy 33.
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