In researching the banded Canada Goose, I came across the above.  Who knew a butt-end band would be put on a leg??

Kind of elegant in their own way.

Toward the end of every school year, I visit Mrs .Jones' elementary school class in Newburgh, N.Y. to read "Duck Enough to Fly," "Icky the Hungry Heron," and "Swan Babies."

After the readings and discussion, student got their choice of a signed copy of "Duck Enough" or "Icky."

Here are parts of their thank-you notes.

(Thank you, Mrs. Jones' class!)

On Sunday morning, after photographing all nine numbers on the brass band adorning the Canada Goose pictured above,  I submitted the information to the nation Bird Banding Lab in Maryland and gotten an instantaneous reply.

Turns out that Canada Goose No. 1168-30285 is a female, banded as young bird on July 9, 2015, in Ramsey.

I also got a certificate of appreciation (not too brag) -- the first one I've ever gotten for anything pertaining to a Canada Goose.

What does it all mean? 

I plan to find out and write. a column about it down the road.

When I noticed that the flock of molting Canada Geese was still hanging out by the Warden's Watch this morning, I returned with my telephoto lens and managed to record all nine numbers on the band.

I then sent the information online to the Bird Banding Lab and -- amazingly -- got all the information about the bird instanteously, and a certificate of appreciation.

Can you guess when the goose was banded as a youngster, its gender, and the location where it was banded?

Answer on Tuesday.

RED LETTER DAY

After a really good day of birding, I hear a lot of folks say that it was "a red-letter day."

What does it mean, and where did it come from? (Try not to Google it...)