AN EARLY BIRD NAME SCOUT: Our thanks to reader Roy Collver for sending us this photo of a Brant goose spotted on Qualicum Beach on Friday. The bird has identification bands on both of its legs. "It's clearly a bird of interest to researchers," said Collver. The Brant geese generally arrive in this area at the same time as the herring, usually at least a month from now. "Given the early nature of its arrival, I have nicknamed it Scout," said Collver.