Jon. Anderson...
> Got the following post regarding a birding and bird-related get-
> together down in the Humboldt country. Thought that folks on
> the list might be interesteed. Please excuse the cross-posting.

....and posted this from Rick Hiser, coordinator for the Aleutian Goose
Festival...
> birds nest on Castle Island off Crescent City at night and fly off
> to the surrounding fields at dawn, awesome sight!!!!!.

Whoops! Aleutian Canada Geese *nesting* off the northern California coast???

Roosting, I'd say, getting ready for that long flight to the fringe of the
Bering Sea, where they will nest.

Aleutian Canada Geese were nearly wiped out when fur farmers brought foxes to
remote islands in the Aleutian archipelago. Just a couple of remnant
populations remained in the 60's. But Buldir Island was a stronghold for geese.
Boat landings were too dangerous, so foxes and rats didn't get established
there. Elsewhere in the chain, foxes fed on goose eggs and geese, as well as
other seabirds and their eggs.

To bring back the geese, foxes were removed and young geese reintroduced to
former nesting islands. It worked. It's testament to the ESA that it's possible
to reverse a trend toward extinction. The biologists and managers who helped to
achieve recovery can be proud of their accomplishment.
--
Scott Richardson
Olympia, Washington
salix at halcyon.com