Hello, Tweeters,

The Emperor Geese of Dungeness Bay have apparently separated. Yesterday, Jan Sleight photographed one Emperor Goose at Jamestown Beach hanging out with Brant, about two miles east from where the Emperors have been at Dungeness Bay since 12/31/11. This morning (3/2/12) there was a solitary Emperor (Empress?) still in Dungeness Bay, swimming with Brant in the inner bay, but I couldn't locate the other one at Jamestown or other beach access points. There are lots of Brant around, including offshore, so the wayward Emperor could be around somewhere with Brant, or maybe moving east, or maybe trying to find its buddy. Prior to yesterday these two birds were virtually attached at the synsacrum, always seen together since the first sighting by Sue Chickman on 12/31/11 at Dungeness Spit.

The Emperor still in Dungeness Bay seems to be top-dog with the Brant, pushing the Brant out of the way when pursuing floating bits in the bay.

The two Emperors have variable amounts of smudginess on their faces, indicative of first-year birds. The bird that remains in Dungeness Bay is completing molt of new back feathers. I believe the wayward bird seen by Jan at Jamestown is the one with more advanced molt. Take a look at Dow Lambert's photos (taken in January) and you'll see the differences.

http://www.mastdog.com/DowMar/Birding/emperorgoose.asp

Bob Boekelheide
Sequim