Addendum to all Pink-footed Goose lovers:

I didn't mean to imply that if these birds were never seen again after this
spring, if they were neck banded, that this meant they didn't arrive on
their own steam from their native nesting grounds. I only suggest that if
they did fly back home and were sighted again within their usual range that
it would seem a strong confirmation that they were naturally occurring wild
birds.

Stewart Wechsler
Seattle
mailto:ecostewart at quidnunc.net

-----Original Message-----
From: TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu
[mailto:TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of Stewart Wechsler
Sent: Tuesday, December 23, 2003 9:12 AM
To: tweeters
Subject: Pink Footed Geese - a possible way to acertain origin


On the question of "valid" records and whether the Pink Footed Geese were
released, escaped or flew in on their own from Greenland:

Has anyone considered catching them and putting neck bands on them. If two
PF Geese with neck bands are seen back in Greenland during nesting season
(in spite of the low density of birders there) or in Europe next winter they
likely came in on their own.

Stewart Wechsler
Seattle
ecostewart at quidnunc.net
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