[Birdtalk] Corinne's Snow and Ross's Geese

[STEPHEN T CARLILE]

I too visited Corinne today, but later in the afternoon and in the evening.  The geese didn't show up until about 5:30 p.m.  They were at the location Paul described yesterday, about 1800 North on 6800 West on the west of side of 6800 West.  The geese came streaming in from the south in their V formations by the dozens and hundreds.  Several flocks also continued on to the north.  After Calvin saw them this morning they must have spent the day somewhere at Bear River.  Goods looks, with lots of Ross's Geese mixed in with the snowies. Only saw one blue-phased Snow Goose.  If, like me, you are not familiar with the area the following additional direction detail may help.  The area is southwest of the Wal-Mart Distribution Center, but a mile or two southwest.  The turn-off (left) to 6800 West is a mile plus west of the Wal-Mart facility on highway 83.

While looking for the geese and to kill some time before their hoped for "evening" arrival, I drove the roads through the Corinne "fields" and saw 1500 - 2000 Tundra Swans, in three large "groups" (one group was making quite a mess of some farmer's field; another group was across the road, south, from the Wal-Mart facility), Canada Geese (24+), Northern Harrier (1), American Kestrel (3), lots of California Gulls, Ring-necked Pheasant (2), Red-winged Blackbird (5), and Common Raven (2).  Also took a quick side trip to the Salt Creek WMA and saw the following:

Tundra Swan (500+)
White Pelican (1)
Canada Goose (24+)
Common Merganser (7) - there were hundreds of ducks to far away to identify
Common Goldeneye (3)
Bufflehead (1)
Canvasback (12+)
Redhead (3)
American Widgeon (9)
Mallard (12)
Gadwall (9)
Cinnamon Teal (1)
Green-winged Teal (7)
Great-blue Heron (5)
American Coot (3)
American Avocet (5)
California Gull (12+)
Northern Harrier (2)
Red-tailed Hawk (1)
Rough-legged Hawk (2)
Common Raven (3)

Thanks,

Stephen
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