[Birdtalk] Trip to Gunnison

[George]

Hi Birders,

I actually snuck away and took a quick trip down to Gunnison.  I had missed
the Snow goose festival and had to see the geese.  Yesterday, March 1, I
found one Cackling goose in with about 15 regular (?) Canada geese.  They
were feeding in a yard bordering on the reservoir.  I watched from my car
for about 20 minutes from a distance of about 30 feet.  It is really a very
small goose; tiny bill and very rounded head.  This one avoided the other
geese and finally took off and flew out onto the reservoir with all the
beautiful Snow geese.  I also saw a pair of Hooded mergansers which did not
fly and allowed me to observe them up close and personal.  What a bill they
have-very peculiar!  I also like to count raptors;  Prairie falcon (2),
Rough-legged Hawk (3), Northern Harrier (1), Ferruginous Hawk (1), American
Kestrel (3), Merlin (2), Red-tailed Hawk (2), Golden Eagle (1). Bald Eagle
(2 adults, 1 immature).  Ten years ago I could drive out towards Cedar Fort
and count numerous raptors; now it is lucky to see a couple (too much
housing going on!).  Also at a feeder near the reservoir I saw American
Goldfinch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Finch, White-crowned Sparrow, House
Sparrow and Northern Flicker.  On the way home I picked up a few Cinnamon
Teals, a large flock of Northern Pintails near Elberta and a big male
Ring-necked Pheasant flew in front of my car near Payson.  Then I hit the
traffic and snow and was glad to get home.

Sorry if I'm rambling,
Sue Hinde

ghinde at comcast.net