>Undaunted by the snow - although sufficiently thick to keep us from work! -
>we went birding yesterday out by Fern Ridge. There were several hundred
>Canada geese in one field that we were watching in the hopes of seeing a
>Brant when suddening, a huge raptor appeared off the ground and began
>circling the geese. We weren't able to get close enough to ID it, but it
>REALLY spooked the geese - as it buzzed them, they took off in large
>numbers, flew a short distance and rejoined another section of the group
>(flock,pod,convention,whatever).
>
>My question is this: Is there a raptor that makes of habit of this? I've
>had domestic geese and they don't normally get worked up about red tails and
>the like flying over.
>
>Thanks!
>
>Peggi
>
Peggi

Sounds like an eagle to me. If you could not see the white head and tail
of an adult bald eagle, you probably had an immature bald eagle. They
often flow over waterfowl flocks, which often react to them by taking to
flight. The eagles often are using this tactic to check the flock for any
weak, sick or injured birds. Hope this helps.

Tim

Tim Shelmerdine
Lake Oswego/Aurora, Oregon
shelmert at mail.clackesd.k12.or.us