Voting Comments

Voting Comments

Record #: 14-B-07

Cackling Goose

1st Round:: 5-2
2nd Round: 5-2
ACCEPT

1^st Round (5 Accept, 2 Reject)	2^nd Round (5 Accept, 2 Reject)
06-12-2007. Shirley Sturts -- Accept Description fits that of a Cackling Goose	08-03-2007. Sturts -- Reject, natural occurrence questionable This is another Cackling Goose from Ann Morrison Park in Boise. To be consistant with my vote on 1-A-04, I am voting not to accept this record for the same reason; there is nothing in the documentation that addresses escaped vs wild status. Plus the observer is not certain which sub species this is. From what I've read so far "minima" is the only one we can be certain of in the field.
6/13/07. Cliff Weisse -- Accept Despite the brevity of the description field marks noted are sufficient to confirm the ID of Cackling Goose. I would have liked to see a description of bill shape along with size to further support the ID. The observer demonstrates his understanding of key ID points in other reports that include photographic documentation, including IBRC #4-B-07 & 67-B-06.	8/4/07. Cliff Weisse -- Accept See first round comments. The only thing I will add is that the written description does not include bill shape but the elimination section of the report uses the depth of the bill to eliminate similar races of Canada Goose. Jay says: "Lesser Canada Goose (parvipes – more similar in size) has a more elongated bill". I feel the combination of field marks presented confirms the identification in this case, especially after reviewing the other reports, that include supporting photographs, mentioned in my first round comments.
25 June 2007. Darren Clark -- Accept The write-up, though brief, supports the identification.	5 Aug 2007. Darren Clark -- Accept I still support the identification.
06-30-2007. Dave Trochlell -- Accept I accept.	08-08-2007. Dave Trochlell -- Accept The description of the bird's key identification features was brief, but acceptable.
1 July 2007. Hardy -- Reject, natural occurrence questionable When I have seen smaller races of "white-cheeked geese" in migration here, I have noted that they appear quite wary, whereas at least some of the larger races are less wary. I assumed this is because the smaller races are the far north breeders, and some of the larger birds are residents. Thus I would expect Cacklings to be wary. A Cackling Goose that is feeding on the lawn in a city park suggests to me an escapee rather than a wild bird, and Cacklings are apparently common in captivity. I do not feel competent to pass judgement on Cackling Goose identification, but it is my understanding that only the minima can be reliably distinguished in the field by its very small size and a steep forehead/stubby bill profile, both of which are relative fieldmarks. I don't believe this report is clear enough documentation for such subtle fieldmarks.	9 August 2007. Hardy -- Reject, specific identification not established Insufficient description to establish that this is a CACG and not a small subspecies of CANG.
07-02-2007. chuck trost -- Accept Jay's description sounds convincing to me.	08-07-2007. chuck trost -- Accept The small size and steep forehead sound right to me. I'm convinced that cacklers join the many canadas in Boise parks. Adequate description.
7/7/06. Charles Swift -- Reject, specific identification not established To be consistent, I have to reject this record as it offers little more detail than record 2-B-05 which I just rejected. I'm willing to reconsider both of these votes later.	8/23/07. Charles Swift -- Accept I'm changing my vote being convinced by other comments on round 1 voting.