I arrived at the Hoquiam Airport about 8:30 Am on Sunday, Dec.
15th and was told by several people that the Bean Goose had not been
observed since 8:10 Am, Saturday. Apparently the bird was last seen
flying off in the strong winds after being tallied on the Gray's Harbor
C.B.C.
Arden and Sherry Hagen who were birding with Glenn and Mary Ann
Teague showed up at about 10 Am. We traded cell phone numbers and began
searching and waiting for any news of the bird. At about 2:30 I checked
the fields at the south end of "K" Street by the City of Hoquiam "K"
Street Pumping Station. In these fields were the only "Dusky" Canada
Geese that I had encountered all day. When I had talked to Patrick
Sullivan on Sandpiper Trail he had mentioned that the goose had been in
the company of "Duskies". After scoping the field for over a half hour
with no luck I walked east along the railroad track about a hundred yards
and checked a flock of geese on the north side of the railroad tracks and
picked the Bean Goose out immediately. I was able to get ahold of Sherry
Hagen on the cellphone and she put out a call on the FRS Radio before
heading in my direction, but by that time the only person contacted was
Tim Shelmerdine. After we all had a chance to view it in the howling
sideways rain we headed back towards the airport and found John and
Connie Siddles who we gave directions to the bird.
The field it was in is on the west bank of the Hoquaim River just
downstream from the Simpson Street Bridge but the best viewing was from
the railroad tracks at the end of "K" Street.
Wilson Cady
gorgebirds at juno.com