Frustration (1 Viewer)

[snowyowl]

A couple of weeks ago my neighbour from across the road left me voice mail to tell me that there was Barnacle Goose mixed in with a flock of Canada Geese feeding in my field. I can't easily see that part of the field from the house so I hadn't seen the bird. I didn't check my voice mails regularly and missed the message until the after the bird left. It had stayed around for a couple of days. I missed a lifer and a mega rarity for this area.

 

[Kits]

Oh how disappointing, Dan. You'll have to start checking your voicemails daily.

 

[Nutcracker]

Console yourself that it was likely an escapee

 

[KC Foggin]

Sorry to hear this Dan but keep yours eyes open as it may make another visit!! Fingers crossed for you

 

[C B Allen]

Console yourself that it was likely an escapee

Or not. Presume this refers to birds recorded in Canada not UK. Birding mates in Ottawa area have had a wandering Barnacle with mixed geese flocks earlier this year and again recently (in addition to a real mega: Tundra Bean Goose).

 

[Nutcracker]

Or not. Presume this refers to birds recorded in Canada not UK. Birding mates in Ottawa area have had a wandering Barnacle with mixed geese flocks earlier this year and again recently (in addition to a real mega: Tundra Bean Goose).

Yep, Canada; ref. Sibley "Barnacle ... many records refer to escapes"

 

[snowyowl]

I got another phone call from the same neighbour. He could see a large raptor type bird sitting in one of our spruce trees on the far side of our land. Would I take a look and identify it for him? I searched the trees but couldn't see it. He added that it was sitting near the tree that the Bald Eagle hangs out in. I knew then that I was out of luck because I can't see that tree from the house. Our small barn blocks the view. The sad fact is that our neighbour across the road can monitor our place much more easily I can. I hope he keeps calling me because you never know what might turn up.

 

[delia todd]

Frustration is the right title for this thread Dan LOL. I do know how you feel... it's like being told "you should have been here 5 minutes ago!)

Sound like you need to install CCTV cameras covering that part of your land!!

Think I'd better 🏃‍♀️ and hide

 

[snowyowl]

Frustration is the right title for this thread Dan LOL. I do know how you feel... it's like being told "you should have been here 5 minutes ago!)

Sound like you need to install CCTV cameras covering that part of your land!!

Think I'd better 🏃‍♀️ and hide

I might just have to do that. I can picture a mast above my roof with a spy camera up there that I could rotate in all directions, zoom in, take pictures. That would be pretty cool!

 

[delia todd]

I might just have to do that. I can picture a mast above my roof with a spy camera up there that I could rotate in all directions, zoom in, take pictures. That would be pretty cool!

LOL it would, wouldn't it Dan.

Longing to see if it happens!

 

[Mysticete]

Yep, Canada; ref. Sibley "Barnacle ... many records refer to escapes"

That Sibley reference is out of date. Barnacle Geese in the NE of the US and Canada are largely considered genuine vagrants nowadays, and most years there are multiple Barnacle and Pink-footed Geese overwintering stateside.

I think we have all had bits of frustration before. I've made 9 attempts over the years at Ruddy Ground-dove for my ABA list, and have missed everytime, sometimes by minutes. If its any consolation, Barnacles are becoming more regular, so you will probably get another chance at one.

 

[Sancho]

Don't worry, Dónal a chara, come over here for a visit and I'll show you Barnacle Geese at Doolin, County Clare!

 

[Andy Adcock]

The only ones I've seen outside the UK, were a small flock which flew across the bow of a sightseeing boat I was on in Helsnki a few years ago, I assume that birds up there are genuine?

It was late May or June I think so presumably breeding birds from the Russian population?

 

[Richard Prior]

A tricky one Andy, when we visited Helsinki in mid May 2017, the first day we found them wandering around the parks and quite tame, I was gutted as I'd never thought the Barnacles I'd seen in England were the real deal. Next day hundreds were migrating high heading north, result!!