As at 30 March 1998 NEBRS listed 71 specimens held by 15 registrants.
Paul Andrew
Curator
Taronga Zoo
PO Box 20
Sydney 2088
tel:612-99784724
fax: 612-99784613
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Phil Hansbro [SMTP:
> Sent: Monday, 28 October 2002 16:38
> To: Birding-aus
> Subject: [BIRDING-AUS] Canada Goose on the Shoalhaven River
>
> I received a call last night and found out that a fully-winged Canada
> Goose has been inhabiting the mouse of the Shoalhaven River for the
> past 10 days.
>
> Myself and Richard and Damian Baxter set off from Newcastle at 0030
> (28.10.02). After picking up Dion Hobcroft in Sydney we made it to
> the Caravan Park at Shoalhaven Heads at 0400. After getting light at
> 0600 we found the Canada Goose after a brief search. We saw the bird
> well down to 200M. There was no damage apparent damage to either wing
> tip and there was no ring on the right leg and probably no ring on
> the left. The bird was large had a clear demarkation between the neck
> and breast, the breast was pale and contrasted with the belly. The
> head had a distinctive profile with a peaked crown somewhat
> reminiscent of a Magpie Goose. The bird was large at least 2/3rds the
> size of the accompanying black swans. I haven't checked the
> literature yet but I believe that these observations are consistent
> with the subspecies maxima which is the common subspecies in New
> Zealand.
>
> Shoalhaven caravan park is signposted in Shoalhaven Heads which is
> accessed from Gerroa or Gerringong about 20 Kms North of Nowra. There
> appear to be about 4 caravan parks in a row so make sure you drive
> along the road to check all the habitat. A telescope is strongly
> recommended.
>
> There are apparently 29 Black Swans at the mouth of the Shoalhaven so
> just find these and you should find the goose. While we were there
> the goose was associating with 2 Black Swans.
>
> Dion has made extensive enquiries over a number of years and
> discovered that there are only a few (single figures) of Canada Geese
> in captivity in Australia. Vagrants from New Zealand have previously
> occurred at Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands and the coast of New South
> Wales would be the most likely location for a mainland vagrant from
> New Zealand. Feral Canada Geese in the UK frequently undertake moult
> migration. Taking all of these things into consideration along with
> the observation that the bird is of the most appropriate subspecies
> for a vagrant strongly suggest that this bird is an excellent
> candidate for the first genuine mainland vagrant from New Zealand. I
> believe that this record should be treated as such unless there is
> substantiated evidence to the contrary that I am unaware of.
>
> All the best and good luck in your searching!!
>
> Phil Hansbro
> --
> *****************************************************
> Dr Phil Hansbro
> Tel: +61 2 49236819 or 49522201
> Fax: +61 2 49236814
> Email:
> http://www.birdingtours.com.au/
> http://www.tandayapa.com/
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