----- Original Message -----
From: Ruth Sullivan
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Sent: Sunday, November 02, 2003 6:46 PM
Subject: 2 Bean Geese at Bowerman Basin


Hello Tweets,

Today my mother and I located 2 Bean Geese amongst large numbers of Canada Geese at eastern portion of the Bowerman Basin Airport between 12pm-4:15pm,specifically along the main grassy portion just south of Lana's Cafe at Bowerman Basin,as well as observed at times at the Hoquiam STP. The 2 Bean Geese were most often observed with 1 injured Greater White-fronted Goose along with various Canada Geese(including up to 4 subspecies that were encountered). We immediately located the 2 Bean Geese foraging along the main portion of the Bowerman Basin Airport at 12pm foraging on the large grassy area along with 3 Snow Geese(2 adults,1 immature)that remained resting and grazing until the entire flock was flushed by a roaming dog and a man driving a motorized cart that scared the geese flock off the runway. The 2 Bean Geese were soon relocated amongst the other large flock of geese in the Hoquiam STP,where they remained for about 15 minutes until the entire flew back to the grassy portion of nearby runway and continued grazing and resting again,where we obtained photographs. The 2 Bean Geese were well observed from several vantage points from the eastern portion of the Bowerman Basin Airport,where they remained until we left the location at 4:15pm amongst the large numbers of Canada Geese, 1 injured Greater White-fronted Goose,and the 3 Snow Geese. The 2 Bean Geese are NOT of the middendorffii subspecies as was the single bird that we located at this same location in December 2002 going by several key field marks and structure characteristics. The overall structure is similar to the Greater White-fronted Goose that it was primarily observed with,but coloration patterns were much different including the orange/black bi-colored bill that was fairly short and stubby compared to that of the middendorffii subspecies,which is more Canvasback in shape. In addition the overall body structure was more stocky,thicker and shorter necked compared to the December 2003 bird,so we believe the birds to be of one of the tundra subspecies. The head was very dark brown on both birds with paler brown underparts,but in different lighting conditions the head and neck color appeared very rusty or warm brown. One bird showed a more well defined contrast from head and neck contrast to back contrast, in which the back was more grayer overall. The feet and leg color were a combination of orange/pink and far less orange in color than that of the nearby Greater White-fronted Goose. In flight as well as on the ground both birds showed clear white undertail coverts contrasting to the white edged tail bordered by darker inner tail feathers with the latter features observed only in flight. Both birds remained quite wary and cautious during all observations and seemed to be most observed in the most densest grassy areas of the Bowerman Basin Airport between Lana's Cafe and the Hoquiam STP,so it may be highly unlikely that these birds are of captive origins until otherwise proven. Perhaps the 2 Bean Geese will remain for many other observers to see them,if the birds don't wander too far away from the Bowerman Basin vicinity,despite hunting season.

Overall away from the 2 Bean Geese we enjoyed our visit to the Hoquiam STP/Bowerman Basin along with cool/clear weather with fairly stiff southeasterly winds. The Hoquiam STP was covered by large numbers of waterfowl and other waterbirds,primarily of both species of scaup(including Ring-necked Ducks)and other waterfowl. Additional notable highlights noted during our visit to this location included the following:

2 Eared Grebes
1"Aleutian"Canada Goose
14+ "Cackling"Canada Geese
8"Dusky"Canada Geese
2(1 pair)of Redheads
36 Canvasback
13 Surf Scoters
5 Common Goldeneyes
38 Buffleheads
1 Hooded Merganser
1 Northern Harrier
1 Merlin
27 Am.Coots
2 Black-bellied Plovers
1 Greater Yellowlegs
1 Western Sandpiper
1 Least Sandpiper
3,000+ Dunlin
1 Wilson's Snipe
2 Red-necked Phalarope
3 Red Phalarope
4 Bonaparte's Gulls
1 Northern Shrike
6 Savannah Sparrows
1 Western Meadowlark

On our way home we observed a single Western Scrub Jay and a Red-breasted Sapsucker along Hwy.12 at Satsop.


Good birding,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
godwit at worldnet.att.net