[EBB Sightings] Greater White-Fronted and Cackling Geese, Lake Elizabeth

I walked from the parking area by the tennis courts (Gallaudet at Stevenson) along the lawn, past New Marsh, and partway up the north side of Lake Elizabeth late this afternoon.

Seven GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were with the huge flock of Canada geese on the lawn north of New Marsh.  One CACKLING GOOSE was inside the chain link fence at the construction site, and the tiniest CACKLING GOOSE I've ever seen was on the lawn northeast of New Marsh.  This miniature CACKLING GOOSE looked to be less than 20" in length from the tip of its tiny bill to the tip of its tail. 

A SAY'S PHOEBE was preening in a snag east of New Marsh with a resident LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE one tree over, maybe 10 yards away.  YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS are everywhere. 

The construction site is attracting gazillions of blackbirds, starlings, and rock doves.  In addition, a resident AMERICAN KESTREL is picking up something good from the flooded furrows left by the construction equipment.  Some of the more than 300 Canada geese (at least two domestic hybrids) were also inside the construction zone, and five RAVENS, one with a droopy wing (but it could fly all right) were hanging out there as well. 

I counted more than 40 RUDDY DUCKS on the lake along with a few NORTHERN SHOVELERS.  AMERICAN COOTS are in but not yet in large numbers; I counted fifteen at that end of the lake.


Stephanie Floyd
Fremont