Potential 5 Goose Day

[Dylan Jackson]

Whether it feels like it or not, spring is finally here. The change in seasons brings birds and in the Connecticut River Valley it brings lots of them. Since the beginning of the month, species that have been absent for the winter have been roaring back. Vultures, Snipe, Woodcock, Blackbirds, Killdeer and Kestrel just to name a few, but as is customary in the valley, waterfowl bring the real show. This weekend there were scores of geese and ducks in the cornfields and other flat areas along the river. With so many geese, there are bound to be unusual species amongst them and this weekend was no exception. This migration event brings birders from all over NH and VT to valley and it's thanks to them that many of us were able to see such a great diversity of this taxa, so first off, thank you all. In the end 5 species of geese were seen in the valley just this weekend alone.

Canada Goose -  The expected species of goose in the state made up the vast majority of the numbers seen. They fill the fields in such numbers that it makes counting a daunting task and estimating not much less unsettling. It doesn't help that small groups are always flying in and out of a given spot and skeins of birds almost constantly are passing overhead. Most fields where they congregate have well over 100 birds. I've had personal estimates of 500, 900, and up to 3000 birds in different spots over the weekend. While we're spoiled by (or tortured by, depending who you ask) by this species, it still is incredible to see them occur in such staggering numbers during migration. 

Snow Goose - For certain, I know there were a couple birds seen along the valley this weekend. There was one immature bird seen in the cornfields at Sawyer Farm in Walpole and another immature bird seen in the cornfields surrounding the Charlestown WTP. This species is infrequent in the state overall but definitely an annual find in small numbers.

Cackling Goose -  The Canada's diminutive cousin. There were a couple reports of these geese in Walpole at Sawyer Farm this weekend. Wendy Ward had one there on Friday and Nate Marchessault had one there on Saturday. I thought I may have seen one at this same spot this morning while in flight, but it landed in an area I couldn't see so I couldn't confirm. There was a report of two in the river just beyond the cornfields later on Sunday morning as well, but I haven't seen an eBird report or anything else to substantiate it.

Ross's Goose - A great bird initially found by Don Clark in the cornfields around the Charlestown WTP. This was an adult bird keeping company with one immature Snow Goose in a flock of around 900 Canada Geese. According to eBird, it's the second record for Sullivan County with the last one occurring in the same location 12 years ago in 2014. This pair of white gooses have been reported earlier this spring bouncing between fields in Vermont and New Hampshire.

Barnacle Goose - The star of the weekend found on Saturday at Sawyer Farm by Donna Keller. This striking little goose was initially found close to River Road in the cornfields, but later moved further towards the river but could be seen by walking down a small field access road. This is one of only a handful of records for the state and from talking to a few different people viewing it, it was their first view of a long-awaited nemesis bird for them (including me). This bird hung around for the whole morning before it finally took off with the goose flock disappearing moving north. 

While a great day for geese there still could come more. The one species lacking so far this season is Greater White-fronted Goose. While rare in the state, historically they're essentially annual in occurrence, especially in valley. While lots of birds have already moved through, there are surely many more to come so we're not out of time to find our 6th goose species in the valley. Much more unlikely, but Pink-footed Goose isn't out of the question either with past records in the valley in 2011, 2022 and nearby in Keene in 2025. And let's also not sleep on Brant which made a surprising inland appearance in large numbers last spring. Happy goosing everyone,

-Dylan Jackson

Wilmot

[Donna Keller]

Great info on the river valley geese, Dylan.  I was very happy that so many people were able to see the Barnacle Goose this weekend :}  I love sharing the rarities that are found in my home county of Cheshire!  Can we be hopeful that someday a Tundra or Taiga Bean-Goose will make it's way into NH?  I know that both species have been spotted in NY, so why not?  I'll be out there scouring the fields and seeing what else shows up!

Happy birding!

Donna Keller

Keene