The lone Canada goose was doing its rendition of standing out like a sore thumb, surrounded by snow geese on the Skagit flats.
It was also behaving itself; no territorial posturing, no flattening of the neck in hostility, no lunging after another life form in anger.
Even a Canada goose, when outnumbered by larger birds, has the good sense to get along. Good thing for the Canada goose that the snow geese are sociable.
Tens of thousands of snow geese from Wrangel Island in Siberia are attracted to the Skagit Valley flats and Port Susan Bay.
The 500-acre Fir Island Farm/Hayton Farm Goose Reserve near Conway is a prime target, thanks to farmers who plant winter wheat as a cover crop for the geese in cooperation with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Birdwatchers may have to work a little harder this year at seeing the huge flocks. I’ve been through the flats at least twice a week for six weeks, and the eye-boggling thousands that fed near Fir Island Road simply haven’t been apparent.
Maybe I’m just unlucky.
To try your hand, take I-5 north to exit 221. Just west of the interstate, turn north on Fir Island Road. Drive about 3 miles.
See the red triangle-shape game reserve signs starting about a half-mile before the entrance, one-half mile past Wylie Road.
Even if the birds aren’t apparent from Fir Island Road, drive to the end of the reserve road where there’s parking and access to the dike.
Sometimes the dike walk can provide more opportunities to see the geese as well as other waterfowl.
While you’re in the area, check out the Johnson/DeBay Swan Reserve northeast of Mount Vernon. Gates are open on weekends, but even if the gates are closed, you can walk in.
The best time is the three weeks after hunting season ends in January.
Take the College Way exit off I-5 in Mount Vernon and turn right. Turn left at LaVenture and follow it into the valley where it becomes Francis Road. It’s about 3 miles from the 50 mph sign to DeBay Isle Road. Turn left at the sharp right turn toward the reserve.
What do they do?
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has a hand in many decisions that affect the outdoors-loving population.
The commission meets at 9 p.m. Thursday at Alderbrook Inn in Union on Hood Canal. On Jan. 25, a committee will meet to discuss the statewide vehicle parking fee.
There are state legislative proposals this session that would eliminate the fee; there are also proposals to replace the funding.
Public comment is not taken at a work session.
The Lands Committee meets Wednesday for a work session. Discussion items include potential for wind-turbine farming at Gingko/Wanapum; sale of gravel at Columbia Plateau Trail; and a Red Mountain viticultural park.
Full commission agenda items include:
* Consider delegating authority to the state parks director to name roads, trails, buildings, park areas and natural features in parks, preferably reflecting geographical, historical and geological features.
* Consider selling a 1.2-acre parcel of land adjacent to Bridle Trails State Park to Bellevue.
* Hear reports on the statewide Trails Plan, planning for Dosewallips State Park, and a report on cabins and yurts.
Book shelf
Mountain Press has released “Awesome Ospreys” ($12). Donna Love’s book is a behavioral and biological look at ospreys rather than an identification book, complemented by Joyce Turley’s on-the-mark illustrations.
Many of the topics are accompanied by a suggested activity. “Awesome” is an excellent way for middle-school children to learn about a large raptor.
Columnist Sharon Wootton can be reached at 360-468-3964 or www.songandword.com.
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