I can't verify if they were Tule but a group of us were up at Sequim a
week ago Sunday and we saw a group of 14-15 White-fronts flying over
towards the water. We viewed the birds from Schmuck Rd.

Scott Downes
sdownes at u.washington.edu
Seattle WA

"Birds don't read bird books. (That's why they are seen doing things they
are not supposed to do)." -Mary Wood


On Mon, 18 Oct 1999, Eugene Kridler wrote:

> Martin:
> You might think about the Tule Goose (Anser albifrons gambelli). It is a
> little larger, darker than White-fronted Goose (Anser alibifrons
> fontalis). It occurs in much smaller flocks, sometimes 5-10 individuals.
> Frank Bellrose in his book Ducks, Geese and Swans of North America pp.
> 110-111 gives a good run down of the Tule. If you don't have a copy,
> maybe a university library might have one.
>
> When I was the refuge biologist from l956-60 at the Sacramento National
> Wildlife Refuge Complex in California, I found them common there, but
> not in big numbers. Very small flocks, rather quiet when compared to
> large flocks of White-fronts. Usually flew low. Other waterfowl
> biologists reported them from there and the Sacramento Valley during
> fall and winter months, also
>
> We've had 7-8 Tules here at Washington Harbor near Sequim for a couple
> of weeks late last month and early this month.
> Been gone to Virginia so I don't know if they are still around now or
> not.
>
> Gene Kridler
> Sequim
>
>