Happy New Year,

A Ross's Goose was found by Dave Swain on the Kitsap CBC on Saturday,
Janurary 3rd. I visited the site today (Sunday, Jan. 4th) and talked with the
property owner, Darlene Munroe. She said the Ross's Goose had arrived with
some "honkers" (which I took to be Canadas) in September (she couldn't
remember an exact date) and had stayed at the farm when the "honkers" moved
on. According to Darlene, the Ross's Goose gradually became more accustomed
to her group of barnyard geese and ducks and was finally accepted into the
flock (quite an honor, I might add!). The Ross's Goose is now quite tame and
feeds with the domesticated geese in her yard. If it is not in the front yard
or in the small pond in front of the house, look for it in the pasture behind
the house. Directions to the site are as follows: From Bainbridge Island
take Route 305 through Poulsbo and get on Route 3 heading south.
Approximately 5 miles from the junction of Rt. 305 and Rt. 3 exit on Route 308
heading east toward Keyport. Continue east for 2+ miles, crossing Central
Valley Rd. Turn left (north) onto Virginia Loop Road. The farm and pond are
on the right (east) side of the road about 1/2 mile from the turn off of Rt.
308. Coming from the south, get on Rt. 3 in Bremerton and head north, past
Dyes Inlet (Where the Orcas were in Nov.) and Silvedale to the Keyport exit,
Route 308. DeLorme page 78: T 26N, R 1E, Section 35. Barry and Darlene
Munroe, 15810 Virginia Loop Rd., Keyport 360-697-1251. Good luck and good
birding.

George Gerdts
Geopandion at aol.com
Bainbridge Island, WA
206-842-8138