Hi Folks!
 
The following is from The Voice of the Naturalist:
 
> A BARNACLE GOOSE, most likely an escape, was discovered at 
> Meadow Lake, just south of I-68 in eastern Garrett Co, MD on 
> Dec 1, and it was seen again Dec 2 and 3. Photographs show 
> this bird to be missing a rear toe, indicating that it is not 
> a true vagrant. 
 
The fact that the bird is missing a single hind toe does not mean that the bird is not a vagrant.  Although waterfowl collectors often clip the hide toe, they usually do both.  If both hind toes were missing I would be suspicious.  I have seen many birds in the wild missing entire feet, possibly attributable to frostbite.  
 
I am not arguing that this bird is not an escape, but that the fact that a missing a single hind toe is irrefutable evidence supporting the conclusion that it must be an escape.
 
Good Birding!
 
Jim
 
Jim Stasz
North Beach MD

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