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Meadowlarks and Greater White-fronted Geese!

I went to Fernald on Feb 15th in search of Eastern Meadowlarks, a bird that I had trouble finding in January despite regular reports of them there. While scanning the fields and the tops of trees, I spotted a distant meadowlark in the top of a sapling, then heard two more while walking along the access road.

Several ducks and geese were taking off and flying directly overhead so as I walked I tried to get some in flight shots. I photographed Redheads, Ring-necked Ducks, Gadwall and Canada Geese in flight. I walked further and stopped at the viewing platform that overlooks the grassland, searching for sparrows. There were Song and American Tree Sparrows there. Then I heard a high-pitched squeaky goose call and noticed smaller geese flying with Canada Geese. At first I thought they might be Cackling Geese but after snapping a quick photo and zooming in on it on my camera, I discovered they were Greater White-fronted Geese. I counted 21 of them in my photo, although I think there were more and I was only able to capture part of the flock.

21 Greater White-fronted Geese and 1 Canada Goose over Fernald Preserve's observation platform 2/15/18.


Eastern Meadowlark is #101 for my Hamilton County Year List. I already got Greater White-fronted Goose at Lost Bridge in January on the day I had a five goose day.
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