Hello!

This morning from my house in SW Hilliard I could see large numbers of geese
flying in from the east and landing in the fields west of my house.  On a
couple occasions in the past few days I've seen a couple small geese flying
with the other Canadas that I have suspected were Cacklings, but I couldn't
make a positive ID just with their flyby.  So I went out this AM to
investigate, and was not disappointed.  In the soccer fields on the west
side of Spindler Rd, there is currently a flock of ~200 Canada Geese with 5
Cackling Geese mixed in.  They were in a group together in the center of the
flock.  I was able to see them well with my scope.  As I was watching them,
more geese started flying in overhead, and with these incoming Canadas was a
white phase Snow Goose.  This flock landed in the cornfields on the north
side of Renner Rd, as you approach Alton & Darby Creek Rd.  I drove over to
this field, and found a very large flock of Canadas (at least 400-500 I
would say, maybe more).  The Snow Goose was easily seen feeding among the
corn stubble with the other geese.  It's a little difficult to park in a
place where you can see this field--the only possible place I could find to
park was in a driveway, where I stopped briefly--so of course just be
conscientious if you park in someone's driveway :).  There could be
Cacklings mixed in with this flock as well, but I couldn't take the time to
scan the flock well. I'll be going back this afternoon to do that.  Last
year we had a Snow Goose at this location on Dec. 25, so this one is right
on!  By the way, I have been seeing a large white Domestic Goose hanging out
with the Canadas in this area in the last few days as well, but this bird is
at about as large as a Giant Canada Goose (much larger than a Snow Goose)
and has no black flight feathers.  So just beware!

Merry Christmas!

Nate Nye
Hilliard

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