eBird Canada Checklist S28119278

Observations

1. Snow Goose

   Number observed:  1500

   Details

   Continuing birds. Had estimated 1000 in the morning but there appeared to be more at this time.

2. Greater White-fronted Goose

   Number observed:  1

   Details

   Found on the ice not too far from shore. Didn't get a photo due to other distractions... White base to orange bill and heavy barring on flanks.

3. Pink-footed Goose

   Number observed:  1

   Details

   Erwin Batalla, Alexandra Simmons and Paul Mackenzie were made aware of a GWFG out on the ice by another birder Dale Dilamarter at approximately 12:30. Upon scanning through the geese to locate it, they noticed another goose that struck them as odd. Having just seen the reported GWFG on 5th Line they realised this was something different. They called by my place to let me know just before 1pm, initially thinking they may have a PFGO (since they had only seen the bird in the water). I quickly grabbed my gear and followed them back to the location where we quickly picked up the bird now standing on an ice flow some distance out (400-500m)? However, since the sun was behind us, the lighting was great and good scope views were obtained. It was immediately obvious that this bird had orange legs and feet (not pink). My thoughts went straight to Bean Goose, and when bird lifted its head, the dark head, pale neck and chest and distinctive bill pattern (dark base, thin orange band, and dark nail) were apparent. Over the next 30 minutes the ice drifted west and the bird was often hidden by CANG. Having had experience with this species in the UK, I was aware that we'd also need to determine whether it was Taiga or Tundra, and with the short bill (and consequently round-headed appearance) this struck me as Tundra. Being careful not to lead opinions, I elicited features that were seen by all before then raising the question of immature GWFG. As well as the distinctive bill pattern, this bird had a dark head, pale unmarked neck and chest and what, to some, looked like 'barring' across the back but what was actually pale fringed coverts and tertials. Once we'd discussed much of this we referenced a copy of Nat Geo I had in the car before watching the bird until about 13:30 when we lost sight of it. Due to the distance involved, I tried taking pictures through my scope using a mobile phone. None show the bird with its head up. I tried to relocate this bird again at 4pm without luck. At this later time almost all of the Canada Geese had departed and much of the ice had broken apart and drifted away.
   Since that report, the bird has been identified has a Pink-footed Goose by experts in Britain.

4. Canada Goose

   Number observed:  4000

5. Gadwall (Common)

   Number observed:  2

6. Mallard

   Number observed:  100

7. American Black Duck

   Number observed:  30

8. Northern Pintail

   Number observed:  25

9. Redhead

   Number observed:  30

10. Ring-necked Duck

    Number observed:  80

11. Long-tailed Duck

    Number observed:  25

12. Bufflehead

    Number observed:  20

13. Common Goldeneye

    Number observed:  40

14. Common Merganser (North American)

    Number observed:  20

15. Red-breasted Merganser

    Number observed:  30

16. Mourning Dove

    Number observed:  1

17. Ring-billed Gull

    Number observed:  3

18. American Herring Gull

    Number observed:  15

19. American Crow

    Number observed:  2

20. American Robin (migratorius Group)

    Number observed:  2

21. Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged)

    Number observed:  15