Alan et al.,
The birds in your photo are hybrids of barnyard x Canada Geese. Note the
large size (larger than Canada) and heavy build of the birds. The Canada Goose
face pattern is distinct. Pink-footed Geese are smaller than a Canada Goose.
Further, there has been a group (4-6 ind.) of hybrid barnyard x Canada Geese
that have been summer residents at the Rondout Reservoir in Sullivan/Ulster
counties for the past five years. They have departed every winter and no one
(that I am aware of) knew where they wintered until this past winter when I
found the same birds wintering on on Albany Post Road and the Wallkill River at
Lippencott Road (Orange/Ulster Co.) I observed them there at least half a dozen
times through the winter. Though I can't say with absolute certainty, the birds
you photographed are dead ringers for the birds I've become familiar with and
Middletown is not far as a goose flies. John Haas
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