birding-aus

Canada Goose on the Shoalhaven River

To: "'birding-aus'" <>
Subject: Canada Goose on the Shoalhaven River
From: "Andrew, Paul" <>
Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 17:39:20 +1100
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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