[CT Birds] barnacle goose directions

[Chris Elphick]

Here's a few more details on seeing the barnacle goose.

On some maps at least, the location is called Moosup Pond (not Moosup Lake).  It's quite large, and lies just north of Moosup.  Directions:

1.  Go to Moosup
2.  Look at the map: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Moosup,+CT,+USA&sa=X&oi=map&ct=title
3.  You can see most of the lake pretty well from the boat launch on the south side of the pond (off Moosup Pond Road) or from several spots on the north side.

I don't know the daily cycle of the goose flock at this site, or where they feed during the day, but the barnacle was present along with 600+ Canadas early afternoon.  I saw some birds flying off to the east shortly after I left the pond, and there are a lot of farm fields east and north of Moosup.  Shortly before dusk few geese were present, so the flock may have a different night-time roost site (or they may not come in until after it is really dark).  

The glaucous gull flew off while I was watching it mid-afternoon, and the Iceland gull was not obvious at dusk, but both could easily have been in the area as I didn't search hard for them.  A resident told me that there have also been a couple of bald eagles in the area.

Chris



Chris Elphick
Storrs, CT
elphick at sbcglobal.net