This afternoon (3/10), my father Vernon Howe and I looked for the Tundra Bean Goose. No geese of any flavor were visible at Piute Ponds, although there are many places difficult to scope. We were not allowed access to the Lancaster Sewage Ponds but found the eleven Canada Geese the bird has been running with in their customary field visible from the shoulder of Highway 14. Although the Bean Goose certainly could have present but hunkered down, we looked from several different vantage points and the eleven Canada Geese walked about fifty yards over the course of about ten minutes. It certainly appeared as if the bird was not there.

Given that the bird’s right wing droop while standing and walking apparently progressed between Monday and Wednesday (to the point of almost dragging it on the ground), and that even though being seen yesterday morning with its eleven friends did not accompany them in their flight to the sewer ponds, I fear the worst. Of course, it could be hiding in either the Piute or sewer pond complexes, or perhaps it simply decided to move on, but those who anytime soon bird especially the southern edge of Big Piute may want to be on the lookout for a specimen.

Best,

Andrew Howe

Riverside, CA

howe395@...