#ABArare – Pink-footed Goose – Maryland

Sightings of Pink-footed Goose (Code 4) in the Northeast have increased dramatically over the past decade, but it still creates a stir whenever one is found. One was found by Nick Lund on Feb 20 just north of Patuxent River State Park near Lisbon, MD. Lisbon is approximately 30 miles west of Baltimore. If accepted, this would be the first record for Maryland. Lund created a map showing where he discovered it.

The goose was seen again throughout the day on Feb 21, and MDOsprey, the state listserv, was continually updated with sightings and directions throughout the day. For those with mobile internet access, check the listserv if you’re having trouble locating it, and if you do find it, share the news. Access may be an issue as there is private property in the area (a homeowner has asked that people not park on the grass), and parking is limited. As always, be on your best behavior and considerate of others when looking for this bird.

The goose was first seen at a pond near the intersection of Jones Rd and Hipsley Mill Rd. On Feb 21, it was seen north of this pond from Jennings Chapel Rd, often behind a cemetery that’s near the intersection of Jennings Chapel and Old Sawmill roads, north of Jones Rd. Check MDOsprey for updates.

Maryland recently had another first state record (pending acceptance, of course): Virginia’s Warbler. This bird was found at the Pickering Creek Audubon Center near Easton, on the east side of Chesapeake Bay, on Jan 26 but the finder was unsure of the identification and it wasn’t confirmed until Feb 15. It is still being seen as of Feb 21.

 UPDATE: The goose was seen again on the morning of Feb 22 but flew north with one Canada Goose at 7:20 AM and has not been seen since then (as of 11 AM EST).

On MDOsprey, Jim Moore writes the following about finding the cemetery:

"I and others were baffled about where to go when we arrived, so just wanted to emphasize 
that neither the cemetery nor the pond are visible from the road and there is no sign.  
Look for the black iron gates next to the road and walk through the gates towards the wall 
overlooking the pond.  (The gates are near the intersection of Jenn. Chapel Rd. and 
Saw Mill Run (?) Rd. (intersection of JCR and Colton Ct. is also nearby))."