Bird Finder for November 23: Pink-footed Goose, a Rarity, in Farmington

Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachrhynchus

by Kathy Van Der Aue
The Pink-footed Goose is a medium sized goose, largely gray-brown in color with pink feet. It breeds in eastern Greenland, Iceland and Svalbard and winters in northern Europe. 

Its migration route is across the North Sea south to Europe but rarely some wander to New England and Eastern Canada, and at times like these birders flock to see what for many is a life bird.

Such a time is now in Connecticut where for the past few days a single individual has been seen mingling with Canada Geese at several locations in Farmington, notably at a pond at Fisher Meadows Park. 

To get the current location, check the Connecticut Ornithological Association’s CTBirds archives, which are updated frequently.

This is a true rarity for Connecticut. The first record was in 1998, there were sightings in 2012 and now it has happened again.

Good luck!

“Anser brachyrhynchus” by MPF – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons