This morning several thousand geese headed into Royal Lake at mid-day. One
flock approaching from the west included 36 white geese. While most were
Snow Geese, at least three Ross's Geese were easily distinguished by small
bill, neck and overall size as the flock headed east into Adams County to
settle out of view. Thirty-six is a large flock for this area, and while
Ross's Goose is probably an annual visitor I seldom encounter them in the
fall. A survey near Stratford in the last week turned up 101 white geese
among more than 30,000 counted. Wednesday there were 4 Greater
White-fronted Geese among thousands at Upper Hampton Lake (a closed area of
Columbia NWR) with an unknown companion that looked like a "dirty albino"
complete with pink bill, but it was quite distant.



Still 4 Sandhill Cranes on an alfalfa field on Columbia NWR. A Blue Jay on
private property north of Royal Lake has been in the same location for more
than 3 weeks now and will probably stick around with a reliable nut supply.
A huge flock of blackbirds at Rd E and 14.8 SE (NW of Royal Lake) had more
than 1000 Yellow-headed Blackbirds but in my short observation could not
find any rusty or tricoloreds among them. Still American Pipits in alfalfa
fields, and Burrowing Owl remain north and east of Othello. Lots of Tundra
Swans around but no Trumpeters seen yet.



Randy Hill

Othello