Hear, hear, Michael:
We all appreciate Ruth and Patrick's reports for their accuracy and because they are sent in such a timely manner. It sounds to me like even the Europeans have trouble sorting out these two geese species.
It was very gracious of Patrick to apologize for what he calls a mistake. (A very- understandable one.) Keep sending those reports, Ruth and Patrick. I intend to carry your report when I go to view Pink-footed Geese in the wild in Western Washington. The Pink-footed Geese may not be as "countable" as a Bean Goose, but we don't know that yet. Viewing them should be very interesting.
Thanks very much for all your detailed reports.
Yours, Carol Schulz
DesMoines
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Donahue
To: godwit at worldnet.att.net ; tweeters at u.washington.edu
Cc: Obol ; inland birders
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 4:19 PM
Subject: Re: Bean Geese correction


Patrick,
You should be congratulated for finding these birds and getting the word out. How many of us actually have experience with both of these rare geese? They're not even illustrated in the Sibley guides! Don't feel bad about the inital ID: it could've happened to any of us!

Mike Donahue
Seattle