The Tundra Bean-Goose breeds in the tundra of northern Eurasia. It winters in agricultural landscapes in eastern China, Central Asia and Western Europe. The only reason it is a “code 3” and not a “code 5” in North America is because one can get lucky seeing it in….ALASKA!
This morning I was walking our puppy (“Lucky”) on an extra long route before the impending snowstorm. I glanced at my phone for the time, thinking I was cutting it close for a scheduled zoom call. A text interrupted me….oh good, my call had shifted to 12:30. Just then another text came in from NARBA (North American Rare Bird Alert). It was reporting a Tundra Bean-Goose being seen on the Springton Reservoir in Media, twenty minutes from my house! No way!! I re-read it. It was true.
I immediately called my (retired) birding buddy Win Shafer, half-expecting he had reported the bird. Well, Win was out scouting birds for Saturday’s Christmas Bird Count, and he happened to be at Episcopal Academy on Route 252 near Springton Reservoir. But he hadn’t seen the alert for this mega-rarity, never-ever-been-seen-in-Pennsylvania goose!
Within fifteen minutes I was packing my car with scope, binoculars, camera AND “Lucky” the puppy, when my cell rang. Win was on the bird! “Go to Springton Middle School”. I was off. The 11 mile drive felt like forever. I imagined every car on the road had plans to see the goose. Why was everyone turning where I was turning? Hurry up. Hurry the **** up people!
I turned into the School driveway and was quickly sandwiched between school busses and the entire Springton Middle School parent population in line for early (say snow-day) pick-up. Ugh….I called Win. No answer. Expletive. I drove down a one-way drive, maybe it wasn’t a road actually….I had to get out of there and find Colt Road, the road originally mentioned in the text alert.
I literally drove past Win and then recognized Jeff Gordon – the President of the American Birding Association (headquartered in nearby Delaware). “Have you seen it”? Win yelled. “NO”, I responded frantically. “It’s behind that house” and he gestured across the street. Among the larger Canada Geese stood our bird. Its orange legs jumped out at me.
Absolutely incredible. And I was on my 12:30 work call without a problem.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
birdtalesblog 
Congrats Georgie ⦠made my afternoon!
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Thanks Linc….still cannot believe my good fortune!
Man. You had me all angsted up. High stress. CONGRATULATIONS!!
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Simps?! Cloud 9 here. Covid be damned.
Sweet!!! Well done Cat!
Is that you Hog?
Kismet! Has to be one of the easiest mega rarities you’ve ever gotten. Congrats!!
Unreal!!!
Love this! You’re so good that they now com to YOU! XOXO
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My husband is a STUD! ♥️
Awwwww….Love you back!
My husband is a STUD!
Didn’t I just read this? Love it….
Bro, LOVE IT! What a great story. Tied up in middle school snow-day pick-up – F*CK!
W _________________________ Wistar Wood 617-291-1400 cell
All true…beat the snow by an hour. Oh, and bird flew after 5 minute view. Phew! Beats chasing it in Alaska!
Oh what a great writeup, what a great bird, what a lagniappe for you, George!! Whee! and hooray! I think Jeff Gordon has had a ton of fun with this bird, too. And George Armistead, both dear friends. Wish I could be there!
Warm merry wishes,
JZ
JULIE! I’m flattered. I think of you often and the great BIG DAY we had in Carrington, ND with Bill. Lagniappe….SAT word. Had to look it up:)
I do hope you and yr kids are well. As we Quakers say: “Hold Him in the Light”. Peace and warm wishes from 19041.
Hi George it looks like Jessica and I were right behind you. We saw it at the middle school at 12:40. What an exciting day for PA birders!
Chris, awesome! Great stuff. Cannot wait for in person celebration with you both. Season’s Greetings to yr household from ours.
Great story, George, and a great “get”. A very rare siting to be sure. And fortunately close by.
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Thanks Doc! I’m still pinching myself😁
Wow! Congratulations!
Thks Sis!
Nice to see something good in 2020!!! ________________________________
Absolutely (my 4th Lifer in 2020)
Great post
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Thks Bill, A Christmas Miracle! BEST TO ALL WATKINSON’S!!
George:
Congratulations! I could feel your excitement in the post.
Merry Christmas.
Michael
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Thanks Michael. I only had four minutes with our visitor before the neighbor let his dog out and scared all of the geese away.
Glad to see COVID travel Restrictions didn’t apply to your visiting friend!
Merry Xmas Matt
Cheers Matt. So glad you took the time to read. Hope all is well in Calif. Season’s Greetings!
Thanks George. A wonderful bird and story. Great legs. D
Absolute Beautiful… Beautifully written… Thank you for sharing..