[redcliffs] 'White-cheeked' Geese in St. George

[Rick Fridell]

Hello,

There is a currently a very large flock of (mostly) Canada Geese using the
Springs Estate Park, in St. George, Washington Co.  Among the several
hundred geese are usually 3-4 Snow Geese, a Ross' Goose, and 5 or 6 Cackling
Geese.  The geese move around rather frequently, using the Virgin River and
the Washington Fields, but there usually spend much of their time at the
pond.

This is an great opportunity to study the differences between the
'white-cheeked geese' and their subspecies.  So grab your most recent issue
of North American Birds (62:344-360), head to the pond, and put the
outstanding article (by Steven Mlodinow and colleagues) on the
identification of Cackling Geese  to work. I believe there are both
hutchinsii (Richardson's Goose) and taverni (Taverner's Goose) Cackling
Geese present, but would certainly like to hear the opinions of others.

Other noteworthy waterfowl around the county include five Wood Ducks at
Tonaquint Park (that are becoming more tame by the day), a family group of
Tundra Swans at Ivins Reservoir, and the remaining Tundra and Trumpeter
Swans at Sand Hollow State Park.


Let me know if I can provide any additional details for those planning on
attending the Winter Bird Festival this weekend.

Regards,

Rick Fridell
Hurricane, UT