[EBB Sightings] white geese in the rain

Hi all:

I walked out to Frank's Dump at Winton Ave this a.m. 
The east-west channel that parallels the parking area
was as rain engorged as I've ever seen it.  Made me
instantly think "should've gone to Arrowhead." 

Song and Savannah sparrows seemed to scatter from
every little bush that lined the channel. There was
precious little cover for them. 6 white geese were
mixed with the Canadas adjacent to the east-west
pathway. 5 Ross's and 1 Snow. No Greater White-fronted
Geese were around. The second hill north of the
channel held a sizable number of Cackling Geese, my
best count was 13, but no where near the numbers seen
by Bob Richmond and Dave Weber under clear skies just
3 days ago.

Frank's Dump was relatively birdless. The standing
water that usually provides safe refuge, was no longer
standing; it moved in large waves, and I guess the
birds would find this unpleasant at best.  Dunlin and
Least Sandpipers were scattered along the bay trail,
on the hills, and along the east-west trail back to
the parking area.  The rest of the shorebirds had
taken refuge elsewhere.

Bob Power
Oakland, CA