A Message from our President & CEO

Dear Friend,

If you know anything about Animal Friends, you know that we never back down from the challenges that come along with rescuing animals.

As I walk through our kennels and see the faces of the animals in our care, I can’t help but to feel thankful for each and every one of you who will help us to give them a fresh start.

You’re the reason that we’re able to provide them with safe haven. That we’re able to bring outreach and education to our local communities. That we can rescue, rehabilitate and – of course – provide second chances for the animals who need it most.

I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done to help us to become such a trusted and valued part of our community.

But today, I come to you because Animal Friends needs your help.

As part of our Rescued for the Holidays Campaign, we’ll work closely with our partners in our region to bring even more homeless dogs, cats and rabbits into our facility to give them much-needed – and much-deserved – second chances. But, we can't continue our lifesaving mission without you.

So on behalf of the animals, we are asking you to give compassionately this year.

With gratitude and sincere wishes for a bright new year,

David J. Swisher
President & Chief Executive Officer
Animal Friends

The Return of Light

Whatever you seek

Is already within you

Waiting to wake up.

***

The winter solstice, which was on December 21st,

marks the shortest day of the year and the official beginning of winter.

But from this time on, we shall be getting a little more daylight each day until the month of June.

In different countries all over the world,

there are different ways of celebrating the return of light.

Just one of them is from Persia which I find very lovely.

In keeping with ancient tradition, Persians celebrate Shab-e-Yalda

to honour the victory of Mithra, the Sun God,

 who symbolizes light, goodness and strength.

Shab-e Yalda is still celebrated by Iranians all over the world today.

Friends and families unite to feast and read poetry, especially the Sufi poet, Hafiz.

Fires are burnt all night to defeat the darkness.

With the return to light, after the winter solstice,

transformation occurs and goodness triumphs.

***

"Awake my dear.

Be kind to your sleeping heart.

Take it out into the vast fields of Light

and let it breathe."

Hafiz.

***

Links for you to follow if you wish to know more:

Shab-e Yalda

Poet Hafiz

Poet Rumi

Fredericton Christmas Bird Count

Fredericton Christmas Bird Count - Douglas Sector

Bald Eagle

For many years we have participated in the Fredericton Christmas Bird Count, covering the Clements Drive/ Douglas area.  Our sector covers the area from the Claudie Road to Grand Pass and all the side roads and areas in between.  It is our job to assess the bird population in that area.

Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs) have been done in North America for over 100 years.  Prior to 1900 there was a tradition called "Side Hunt" in which hunters conducted a Christmas Day hunting 'free for all'.  It was a contest to see who could come in at the end of the day with the most dead birds.  Fortunately the conservation movement was beginning then and Frank M. Chapman, an early officer of the Audubon Society,  proposed a day in which people would go out and conduct a Christmas bird census rather than kill so many birds.  That year 25 Christmas Bird Counts were conducted.  The first one done in New Brunswick was part of that first count and was conducted at Scotch Lake by William H. Moore.  Here is what he recorded counting for one hour from 9:00 to 10:00 am at Scotch Lake, Dec. 25, 1900:  Goshawk 1, Hairy Woodpecker 1, Downy Woodpecker 1, Blue Jay 2, Pine Grosbeak 1, Brown Creeper 2, White-breasted Nuthatch 20, Chickadee 6.  Total 9 species, 36 individuals.  (There are only 8 species mentioned so an error was created somewhere along the line).

Black Duck

Today thousands of counts are done throughout North America (about 50 in New Brunswick) on any day from Dec. 14 to Jan 5.   In Canada about 60,000 volunteers conduct CBCs including people on the road and those watching feeders.  A circle 24 km in diameter is laid out and then divided into sectors.  Groups of people are assigned to a sector or partial sector.  The assigned group is in the sector from dawn to dusk observing birds, looking for good habitat and checking around houses and barns.  They count both numbers and species.  These people are generally well trained and watch the skies, trees, low vegetation and house and barn yards.  Each group usually has a driver and a person who records the birds. 

The general public can help by keeping their feeders free of ice and snow and filled with good bird food.  They can welcome the birders as they drive in their driveways or park along the road.  A friendly wave is always helpful.  

Following are the results for the Clements Drive/Douglas Sector.  

Canada Goose	85
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) B	2
Mallard	32
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)	9
Hooded Merganser	1
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) B	5
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) B	5
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) B	2
Rock Pigeon	9
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) B	43
Great Horned Owl	1
Downy Woodpecker	3
Hairy Woodpecker	3
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) B	13
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) B	42
Common Raven (Corvus corax) B	3
Black-capped Chickadee	88
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) B	1
White-breasted Nuthatch B	8
American Robin   (Turdus migratorius) B	1
Bohemian Waxwing	4
Dark-eyed Junco   (Junco hyemalis) B	29
American Goldfinch   (Carduelis tristis) B	9
Chipping Sparrow	1
Wild Turkey	3
Total No. Species	25
Total No. Birds	402
Mammals
White-tailed Deer	13

Boxing Day

When my brother and I were younger.

Boxing Day was the day we had to write our thank-you letters

for the Christmas presents we had received.

It was also a day to relax with no hassle in the kitchen

as there were always enough delicious leftovers to see us through the day.

Today, my daughter and grandson came over for lunch

and to exchange presents.

I seemed to spend the whole morning in the kitchen

but the meal was good  and  made all the work worthwhile.

It's traditional to make mince pies over Christmas

and they are served warm, fresh out of the oven.

When I was on my own again,

there was all the washing up to see to.

I do not own a dishwasher.

That job seemed to go on for a long time.

Now I'm getting used to the contrast of having visitors over

and getting back into routine of being on my own again.

I don't dislike the solitude

as it enables me to really be me

to get in touch with who I really am at my core.

However, I do enjoy the company of other folk too

and sometimes it's really nice to be invited 

and not always be the hostess!

I do notice that many people prefer to be invited rather than invite,

have you noticed that too?

So on this Boxing Day,

I shall put up my feet, pick up some handiwork

and look at a recorded film.

I also have a new book to start

which is waiting for me on my bedside table!

I hope that you are enjoying a more peaceful aftermath of Christmas.

It feels so good, doesn't it?

Savouring the Season

These little elves come out every year before Christmas

I love their simplicity and the fact that they're made of twigs!

I have a really cute little film for you to look at HERE

It's the story of Stick Man and his family at Christmas!

It's also the time of the year when I love to get together with my grandson

for card-making and crafting.

Creating memories together of our own little traditions over the years.

We chat and laugh together, enjoying each other's company.

I am happy that he still loves coming to do crafting with me.

Here is the finished card he made and this one is for me!

It's a beautiful Zentangle bauble.

We also made some Origami fir trees.

I put these two at the base of my Christmas tree in the snow!

If you would like to make these Origami trees,

Just click here for an easy tutorial: ORIGAMI FIR TREE

An exciting parcel arrived this week.

It contained four beautiful jars in different colours and containing

sweet smelling candles with natural non-toxic ingredients.

They are a thoughtful Christmas gift from my son 

who will not be with us for Christmas this year.

A brief overnight snowfall covered the little pansy buds on my balcony,

but the snow soon melted in the morning sun.

We shall not be having a white Christmas down here,

only up higher and in the mountains.

I hope that you are savouring the special moments of the season

and taking the time to live each one to the full

even it this tends to be a very busy time of the year for many.

Rare Birds Help the Economy

Avitourism

Mistle Thrush [Hank Scarth Photo]

For 13 days Miramichi City, NB has been blessed with the presence of a very rare European bird, a Mistle Thrush.  It has settled into the area of west Miramichi City east of Route 8.  The area provides lots of trees laden with fruit which keep the bird there.

The Mistle Thrush is a species that is native to Europe.  It breeds in summers in northern Europe and the United Kingdom.  It winters in southern Europe and north Africa.  It has never before been confirmed in North America.  That makes this visit ultra-special.  As a result many birders from Canada and the United States immediately wanted to come to see this 'new' species.  Birders are interested in seeing new species, in studying them and adding the sighting to their species lists.  Many birders in New Brunswick have seen over 300 different species in the province.  Many US birders have seen over 500 species in the US or North America.  There is a keen interest in listing numbers among birders.  That sounds crass but for some it appears that the interest is mainly in being able to list numbers.  However, in my many years of birding it is my opinion that most birders are keenly interested in the bird, its habitat and in the conservation of nature.

The Mistle Thrush visiting here has been spending most of its time focused on the yard of one Miramichi residence, that of Peter and Deana Gadd.  Because Peter is a birder and a photographer he understands birds and birders.  He and Deana have been fabulous ambassadors for New Brunswick and Canada in how they have hosted a stream of birders who have come to see this bird.  Speaking with him today, he says he has had over 400 visitors from 7 provinces and 22 states.  The Canadian birders are from Ontario eastward.  The American birders are from as far away as California, Florida and Alaska.  He told me that on Sunday he got a phone call from a birder who was in Alaska.  On Tuesday he was present at the Gadds viewing the thrush!  Birders are an interesting subset of people!

These numbers have made me wonder about the economics of birding, avitourism, as it is called.  Ecotourism is the fastest growing segment of the world travel industry, growing 30% per year since 1987, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.  Ecotourism covers a wide range of nature-related tourism and avitourism is a segment of it.  These forms of tourism provide billions of tourist dollars annually throughout the world.  According to one study (Tourism Economics and Recreational Trends) travellers who travel to experience natural history spend an average of $62 per day more than the average traveller.  Another study shows that 14% of Americans involved in recreation were birdwatchers, more than the number who golf or go boating.

Bird watching is reported as the fastest growing outdoor activity in America and an increasing number are travelling long distances to spot new birds.  This clearly has been my experience over the last 20 years.  I participated in a birding trip to Newfoundland about 15 years ago and there were birders from California and Florida on that trip.  Some of them told me they had travelled as far away as the Aleutian Islands to view birds.  According to another study (Market Analysis of Bird-Based Tourism) there were 46.7 million birders in the US in 2011 and 38% of them took trips away from home to see birds.  

So what do all these birders add to the economy of the region they visit?  According to the study mentioned above, the average birder visiting a refuge in Texas contributed between $88 and $145 to the local economy.  That study was in 1994, so today's numbers would be considerably higher.  A 2011 Fish and Wildlife Study in the US estimates that the annual economic value of bird watching is $15 billion for trip-related birding and $26 billion for equipment-related expenditures.  

These studies show that the average birder is well-educated and has an above-average income.  This leads to an economic boost to the area visited.  Birders spend money on land and air travel, fuel, lodging, restaurants, books, and equipment.  And studies show that birders spend more money than the average tourist.  They pay more for comfort and good food.  A study by Wiedner shows that the active birder spends $1850 per year on birding activities.  A study by Paul Kerlinger (Birding Economics and Birder Demographics Studies as Conservation Tools) showed that the 100,000 visitors to Cape May, NJ spent $10 million and the 57,000 visitors to Point Pelee spent $3.2 million.  That is a lot of tourist dollars!

So what has the Mistle Thrush contributed to avitourism since it was discovered on December 9? Doing a very loose estimate of the fraction of birders from New Brunswick, other Canadian provinces and the US, I estimate the gain in ecotourism brought about by the presence of this bird is at least $67, 500.  This figure includes land and air travel, meals, lodging, and car rentals but does not include the purchase of clothing, equipment and other necessities.  We birders have thoroughly enjoyed the presence of the Mistle Thrush but the area has benefited greatly from its coming. Maybe we should start a 'Thank a Birder Day'.  At least, the local economy should cherish and protect our wildlife and its habitat.

Reference

Eubanks et al. 1995, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, birds.cornell.edu

Kerlinger, Paul. Birding Economics and Birder Demographics Studies as Conservation Tools

Market Analysis of Bird-Based Tourism: A Focus on the US Market to Latin America and the                    Caribbean Including Fact Sheets on the Bahamas, Belize, Guatemala, Paraguay

Saving Lives and Spreading Smiles

Every year, hundreds of kittens find their way through our doors. Sadly, many of them arrive without the safety, security and nutrition their mother can offer. Under these circumstances, we rely on Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR) to give them the important nutritional support that a mother cat’s milk provides. For kittens newborn to 6 weeks old, mother’s milk supplies prebiotics, probiotics, vitamins and minerals that are essential for them to grow into healthy adults.

This was just the case in August when we met Olwen, a tiny kitten who was just 5 days old. He had been discovered by a construction worker and was brought to Animal Friends. He was dirty, covered in oil and infested with fleas. We knew we needed to act quickly, so our Medical team jumped into action getting Olwen cleaned up and placing him into an incubator.

Since Olwen was still far too young to be away from his mother, we started him on KMR to be sure he would have a steady supply of the critical nutrition he would need to gain his strength. Before too long, Olwen was well on his way to growing into a healthy, happy and playful kitten. Once he was given a clean bill of health, Olwen was ready for adoption and just a few short months after arriving at Animal Friends, he found a loving new home!

You can save the lives of kittens just like Olwen (and all of our animal friends) by sending them a gift from our Amazon Wish List. For an added bonus, start your shopping at Smile.Amazon.com and designate Animal Friends as your charity and a portion of every purchase you make on Amazon will be donated to benefit our shelter residents. With the holiday season upon us and lots of online shopping to do, you can make a big difference in the lives of some very deserving animals.

Click here to see what else our four-legged friends are wishing for this year!

Heartfelt Wishes

There are personal wishes

and universal wishes.

I sat down the other day to see if what I really desired at this time of the year

was anything to do with the usual stressful ambiance of the Christmas season

which seems to be happening  around me, but not within me.

Oh yes,

I love creating decorations with crochet and hook

a few bells 

a candle or two

and beautiful music,

but more than any material gift

I desire the presence of peace and harmony.

On a universal level, like most people, I would like world peace

that no one should suffer from hunger 

and that we would all take responsibility for climate change.

One of the things that we can all do

is to focus on abundance instead of lack

for it leads us to the path of contentment.

What are the most important things for you during this month of December?

Have you tried making a list of your most heartfelt wishes?

Mistle Thrush

Mega-Rare Bird Found in New Brunswick

Mistle Thrush [Isabelle Levesque Photo]

Saturday, December 9, 2017 was a watershed day for New Brunswick birders.  On that day our rarest bird ever was found in the yard of Peter and Deana Gadd of Miramichi City.  It was the confluence of several unusual factors that made this event possible.  Peter Gadd is a naturalist/bird watcher and a photographer.  The Gadd yard is large and filled with a huge, fruit-laden mountain ash which is a preferred winter food of thrushes.  There is cover nearby in several large white pine trees.  The province has an active naturalist network allowing fast, excellent communication among birders and experts.  Peter and Deana are presently participating in a Feeder Watch Program so were watching their yard carefully that day to count the birds coming to their property for an online North American database.  The weather had turned to winter conditions forcing birds to come to feeders and fruit trees.  These factors precipitated the sighting of an unusual thrush which was recognized as unusual, photographed, and sent to local authorities who confirmed it as either a Song Thrush or a Mistle Thrush.  Further emails and exchange of photos followed with further sightings, confirmed the visitor as a Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus).  A short time later the news became available to all New Brunswick birders.  It quickly spread to Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Newfoundland.  Within a short time the top birders all over Canada and  the United States were informed of the presence of this special bird.  

And special it is indeed!  This is the first confirmed sighting of the Mistle Thrush in North America!  Apparently the Song Thrush has been found once before in Quebec but the Mistle Thrush has not been documented every before in New Brunswick, in Canada or anywhere in North America!  That makes it a mega-rarity.

Mistle Thrush [Hank Scarth Photo]

The Mistle Thrush is a bit bigger than our American Robin.  It is shaped and acts like our robin but is bit more wary.  It is 27 cm long (our robin is 25 cm).  The most conspicuous marking is the heavily spotted breast and belly.  The spots are dark brown or black, large, roundish and on a beige or white background.  Some spots are arrowhead shaped.  The back is a gray brown.  The tail appears longish, is brownish gray with white fringes.  The feet and legs are pinkish yellow.  The throat is light in colour, has dark malar lines and the spots appear to coalesce around the edges of the throat.  The bill is dark gray with yellow showing at the base.  The lores are white and they extend to a narrow orbital ring.  The wings have pale gray fringes.  The wing linings are white or light gray, a field mark which distinguishes this species from the Song Thrush which has rusty-buff wing linings. 

Mistle Thrush [Peter Gadd Photo]

The Mistle Thrush flies in an undulating fashion and folds its wings during the gliding phase much like a pigeon.  This undoubtedly gave it its Norwegian name, 'duetrost', which means pigeon thrush.  The Mistle Thrush apparently sings when other thrushes are silent and often sings in bad weather.  Unfortunately we did not hear this bird vocalize.  

Mistle Thrush [Peter Gadd Photo]

The Mistle Thrush breeds throughout Europe.  It is a permanent resident of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium, northern Italy and northern Greece.  It winters in southern Spain, southern Italy, the Middle East, and northern Africa.  Its normal range does not include Iceland or Greenland.  

Mistle Thrush [Peter Gadd Photo]

So why or how did this bird come here?  That is the big question.  We have had a phenomenal fall for vagrants coming to New Brunswick.  That is undoubtedly related to the severe wind storms and hurricanes that took place in the fall over North America and the Atlantic Ocean.  Severe winds obviously blew this little bird well off course.  The bird itself could also have its internal navigation system fouled up by disease, pollutants or other unknown factors.  

Mega-rarities draw birders from afar.  To date we have had birders from Maine, Quebec, and as far afield as Wisconsin.  Many, many more will follow if the bird stays around.  Good luck Mistle Thrush and to the birders who come to see it.  

Addendum: The Mistle Thrush appears to have left as of April 8.  The last confirmed sighting was on March 24 when it was seen by visitors from Maine and Arizona.  In total 540 visitors were recorded by Peter and Deana Gadd who were the stewards of this rare visitor.  There were certainly a few more who did not get recorded and many came repeatedly.  Visitors came from 8 Canadian provinces and 28 US states including Texas, California, Oregon, Arizona and Florida.  Canadians came from as far away as British Columbia and Alberta.  Most people who came to see the bird were successful.  The bird was coping well with our winter and did not seem to be affected by its many visitors.

A Weekend in Zermatt

The River Vispa runs through the village of Zermatt and the pointed summit of this mountain

can be seen just about everywhere you go in the village.

The Matterhorn is probably the most well-known and recognizable mountain in Switzerland.

I recently spent a long weekend in this mountain village

and this is the view we had from the hotel balcony.

The rising sun hits the side of the snow-powdered rocky surface.

Different times of the day create different moods and they were a constant source

of never-ending fascination.

There were other things to see of course,

like beautiful chalets and pretty red shutters and seasonal decorations.

Bars and cafés often have outside seating with sheepskin rugs

and thick warm blankets to keep warm in the crisp, cold air.

Many of the chalets are very old and have a great deal of charm.

The older the chalet, the darker the aged wood becomes, like this one above.

I have a special fondness for draped sheer curtains!

The hotel we stayed in is basically a big chalet with a modern wing which

is the reception, breakfast room and restaurant.

The hotel is very nicely placed just slightly out of the centre, 

but with an easy ten-minute walk to the station. 

Only electric vehicles are allowed here

and the air is beautifully pure.

This view just takes my breath away.

The Matterhorn is 4.478 metres high.

The German word 'Matte' means valley or meadow and 'Horn' means peak.

Here is the main church called St. Mauritius

This is the view you get as you come down the steps from the church

The front view from the steps on the old chalets and another mountain range.

One last shot of this iconic mountain at sunset when the sky was just turning

a shade of lavender.

We were so lucky with the weather which was sunny and quite cold.

On the last morning, it was -10 degrees Celsius,

but the average temperature during our stay was around -6C.

I really want to go back here again, but in the summer months so that we can do 

more hiking and enjoy the alpine flowers.

Spread Holiday Cheer with Animal Friends

Exercise is extremely important for rabbits, especially young bunnies who are still growing, learning and developing important social skills. While adult rabbits require time every day for playing and exercising – at least 2 hours daily – it’s even more essential for babies, who should have at least 4 hours to sniff, play and explore each day.

And, the young kits at Animal Friends – like Parker and Porter – are no different. These 5-month-old brothers came to us from another shelter and we saw their playful and energetic personalities right away! Giving Parker and Porter plenty of opportunities to put their minds to work has helped them continue to learn and grow. With the help of enrichment toys like the Toss and Learn Carrot Game, they can even make the most of time spent in their kennels.

You can brighten the lives of our resident rabbits (and all of our animal friends) by sending them a little holiday cheer from our Amazon Wish List. For an added bonus, start your shopping at Smile.Amazon.com and designate Animal Friends as your charity and a portion of every purchase you make on Amazon will be donated to benefit our shelter residents. With the holiday season upon us and lots of online shopping to do, you can make a big difference in the lives of some very deserving animals.

Click here to see what our four-legged friends are wishing for this year!

Support Animal Friends By Doing (Almost) Nothing!

This holiday season, you may be looking for a special way to give back. But with no shortage of shopping, wrapping, traveling, cooking, cleaning and more, you may be short on time (and money!).

Thankfully, there is a way to make an impact in the lives of the homeless animals at Animal Friends with something you're probably already doing!

If you're shopping for gifts on Amazon, a portion of your purchase price can be donated to Animal Friends by using Amazon Smile! You'll receive the same items for the same prices, the only difference is how much brighter you'll be making the holiday season for the dogs, cats and rabbits at Animal Friends.

Just follow these quick and easy steps ...

1. Go to Smile.Amazon.com and log in to your Amazon account.
2. Search for "Animal Friends Pittsburgh" and select Animal Friends as your charity.
3. Start shopping! Be sure to start at Smile.Amazon.com each time you shop to continue supporting Animal Friends all year long.

Barnacle Goose

Barnacle Geese Spotted  near Florenceville

Barnacle Goose

Three Barnacle Geese (Branta leucopsis) were spotted near Upper Kent,  just north of Florenceville recently.  Just above the Beechwood Dam there is a staging area and as many as 2000 geese have been seen there at once.  Almost all of those geese are Canada Geese but occasionally there is a rare goose among them.  About November 29 three Barnacle Geese were seen with the flock.  They were photographed and verified by local birders.  Unfortunately one was shot by a local hunter.

The photo above and subsequent photos in this post were taken by me of Barnacle Geese seen in New Brunswick at Miramichi City in 2011, but they will be used as illustrations for this post.  I went to see the geese near Upper Kent but they were not there so hence no photos.  

The Barnacle Goose is a smaller goose compared to the Canada Goose.  It is 69 cm (27") long compared to 114 cm (45").  Even though it is marked differently from the Canada it can be difficult to spot in a large flock because of the similar colours and the way geese intermingle and sleep tucked in so well.  

The Barnacle Goose is actually about the same size as the Cackling Goose (the smallest form of the Canada Goose which is now a separate species).  Its shape and size is much like the Brant which passes by our shores in migration.  It is gray and white overall with black on the neck, breast and as a hood.  The face and underparts are white.  The stubby bill and legs are black.  

Barnacle Geese with Canada Geese

The Barnacle Goose is very rare in New Brunswick.  Its normal range is in Europe.  Most birds breed in Svalbard and eastern Greenland.  It builds its nest in dry Arctic tundra on cliffs and other rocky slopes and also on Arctic islands.   They winter in the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, northern England and Scotland.  They spend the winter on coastal pastures feeding on herbaceous plants and seeds.  The birds that are seen here are probably from the eastern Greenland population.  

This is the third report of Barnacle Geese to my knowledge in New Brunswick.  I have seen one in 2001 in Salisbury, in 2011 in Miramichi City.  The "Birds of New Brunswick:  An Annotated List"  does not even mention this species and it was published in 2004.  

Barnacle Goose

It is interesting how the Barnacle Goose got its name.  It was an important part of medieval cuisine.  It was believed that the Barnacle Goose came from actual barnacles.  There is an actual Goose Barnacle and the confusion may have arisen from the similar colours of the barnacle and the goose and the fact that the goose appeared in different seasons.  But, even more interesting, is the fact that Catholics believed they could eat the Barnacle Goose during Lent because of it perceived origin which meant it was classified as fish and could therefore be eaten during Lent.  

Barnacle Goose 

This large flock of geese will probably stay around the St. John River as long as there is open water.  It will gradually move southward and will eventually winter along the eastern seaboard.  When I was there near Upper Kent on Tuesday, Dec. 5, the Barnacle Geese had been seen two days before but unfortunately I did not see them that day.  It is possible they were still in the area.  I saw about 800 geese that day, about 400 or more resting on the river and later a flock at least that big flying.  I don't think it was the same flock because the big flock on the river left in much smaller flocks and at different times, presumably to go feed in nearby grain fields.  Also seen were about 200 of each Black Ducks and Mallards.  A wonderful spectacle indeed!