There has been a considerable flurry of interest in the Egyptian goose that has joined a small band of Canada geese at South County Pond. At least two readers got photos of the errant goose that show it is not leg-banded — but that still doesn't answer the question of recent origin. (see above).
Two people with experience in farm-raised captive exotics both suggest the goose at Toledo is an escapee, but are no more able to completely rule out a wild background than we are. They might be right, of course, but we'll keep an open mind and continue to watch the anti-social rascal.
In the interim, we have heard from a Chehalis reader who observed a pair of Egyptian geese on the Newaukum Valley Golf Course about eight years ago. These geese — apparently a mated pair — flew in for a brief stopover and were gone later that day.
That is the sort of behavior you would expect of a truly wild encounter, but it would have needed more observers and documentation to be considered a sighting of a true wild African pair gone astray.
So we are right where we started, with an odd bird at South County Pond and no idea where it came from. One piece that is missing is a report from whoever lost the goose. In almost every case over the past few years when we reported the appearance of an exotic, we immediately heard from the owner.
On the other hand, this bird has readily come to take handouts from folks with a loaf of stale bread, which is a behavior that takes a few weeks to adopt. In a purely wild state, Egyptian geese would likely be too suspicious of humans to venture that near, even for a yummy pastry.
So there is no definitive answer to the question of this wanderer. It may be an escapee, a feral offspring of escapes, or a wild goose. We will continue to gather what information we can find, but in the meantime, enjoy the appearance of a bird you simply don't see very often.
The rufous hummingbirds are back in substantial numbers. If you are one of those who take your nectar feeders down for the winter, it is time to get them back up. While the males traditionally arrive — and leave — before the females, both are in the area now. The little whirlwinds are having a bit of trouble finding enough natural nectar because of a cool spring, so a handout is a good idea.
Be sure to mix the nectar at a ratio of four parts water to one part sugar, adding the sugar after the water has been brought to a boil and then removed from the heat.
For best results, try to use "pure cane" sugar instead of any other granulated sugar you can find at the store. Pure cane sugar contains fructose, the same sugar that is found in natural blossom nectars. Beet sugar or those with granulated corn sugars will contain dextrose, sucrose, glucose and others that are not as sweet or nutritious (to hummers) as fructose.
Feeders give you an opportunity to enjoy the incredible little birds up close all summer. Now's the time to get started.
Finally, don't take those suet feeders down quite yet. The violet-green swallows are here in moderate numbers, but insects are hard to find. Conditions have just been too cool for mass hatches of insects and pickin's are a little slim for the early arrivals.
We watched a large flock of mixed tree swallows and violet-greens feeding over the end of Swofford Pond this week, and the competition for the few flying insects around was fierce. Leave the suet out for all the insect-eaters until things warm up a bit.
Russ Mohney, who describes himself as a "peasant naturalist," is a fourth-generation Lewis County outdoorsman. He has published several books and many articles nationally, and continues to write on a variety of outdoor recreation subjects. He can be reached by e-mail at russm@localaccess.com or at P.O. Box 580, Centralia, WA 98531.
