The drive from New Hampshire to Connecticut went smoothly. We arrived at MacKenzie Reservoir in Wallingford CT and found no geese at all present. So we canvassed the surrounding fields and found lots of Canada Geese, but not the one we sought. After a couple of hours we went back to the reservoir where amazingly there were now over 500 geese. After a rather brief scan, I found the Barnacle Goose along the near shore. The goose was yearbird #712. I took some pictures of the goose and his friends and we drove off to get some coffee. The new bird, however, came at some cost. When we got as far north as Worcester MA, we refilled the gas tank and I repacked my stuff for the airport. At that point I realized I had left my scope at the reservoir. Denny called a friend of his in CT and asked if he could get someone to go to the spot and see if the scope was still there. It seemed to me the best course of action would be to turn around and go back to CT which we did. In route I revised my airline reservations since I wouldn't get back to Manchester NH in time to fly out today. To make story short after a long drive (560 miles today), the scope was not there. Several birders had in fact driven over to check the spot before we got there and also didn't find it. So it's probably history although a minuscule chance remains. I know what you're saying: Expensive bird, eh? and I would agree. If any of you knows someone interested in selling a small, quality scope, have them get in touch with me. We stopped at a Cracker Barrel for dinner (lemon pepper trout) on the way back north and arrived at Denny and Terry's about 9pm where I'm writing this blog. Tomorrow I fly home (via Tampa, believe it or not!).Thursday, October 14, 2010
That's Not a Canada Goose!
The drive from New Hampshire to Connecticut went smoothly. We arrived at MacKenzie Reservoir in Wallingford CT and found no geese at all present. So we canvassed the surrounding fields and found lots of Canada Geese, but not the one we sought. After a couple of hours we went back to the reservoir where amazingly there were now over 500 geese. After a rather brief scan, I found the Barnacle Goose along the near shore. The goose was yearbird #712. I took some pictures of the goose and his friends and we drove off to get some coffee. The new bird, however, came at some cost. When we got as far north as Worcester MA, we refilled the gas tank and I repacked my stuff for the airport. At that point I realized I had left my scope at the reservoir. Denny called a friend of his in CT and asked if he could get someone to go to the spot and see if the scope was still there. It seemed to me the best course of action would be to turn around and go back to CT which we did. In route I revised my airline reservations since I wouldn't get back to Manchester NH in time to fly out today. To make story short after a long drive (560 miles today), the scope was not there. Several birders had in fact driven over to check the spot before we got there and also didn't find it. So it's probably history although a minuscule chance remains. I know what you're saying: Expensive bird, eh? and I would agree. If any of you knows someone interested in selling a small, quality scope, have them get in touch with me. We stopped at a Cracker Barrel for dinner (lemon pepper trout) on the way back north and arrived at Denny and Terry's about 9pm where I'm writing this blog. Tomorrow I fly home (via Tampa, believe it or not!).
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We need to get you a lanyard for the next one.
ReplyDeletePatteson looked for the pintail Thursday, briefly, and did not see it in the 'usual' spot, but he didn't spend much time. No word lately on the potential Kelp Gull.
ReplyDeleteBummer on the scope and yippee on the bird. Hope the scope shows up (I lost my camera yesterday - still one more place to check this am.) Renee
ReplyDeleteI saw the Barnacle Goose today at the reservoir and there was a local chap who mentioned that someone left and lost a scope at this site yesterday. He, in fact, did the same thing somewhere else a few years ago and never recovered it. Sorry about your loss. Perhaps a note to the CT list serve might help? /John S
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