Canada Geese on the move

[Bill Lamond]

Hi,

You wouldn't think that Canada Geese migrate in early June but they do. Tonight I counted 523 Canada Geese flying north over Brantford between 7 to 9 p.m. The first bunch of 110 flew over my house while I was outside. I was very surprised by the number (and the volume), as there have only been about 70 non-breeding geese hanging out at the Grand River in recent weeks. Soon another 40 flew over. I suspected these were moult migrants due to the number, direction of flight, and the time of year. 

These moult migrants are non-breeders or failed nesters that move (migrate) to James Bay where they then moult all of their flight feathers and become flightless for several weeks until the new flight feathers grow in. I always thought this was bizarre that they would fly this distance to moult, but they do, and in big numbers. There must be some advantage in flying all that way to James Bay or they wouldn't do it. I have no idea how long they stay there once they regain their flight capabilities. 

After the two initial flocks I went to the Grand River behind Glenhyrst Gardens as it is a fine place for some evening birding in the setting sun. I saw several more flocks of Canada Geese in the next 40 minutes, all flying due N and not stopping as they passed over the river. The flocks numbered 14, 34, 54, 88, 176 and 40. 

Fascinating behaviour.

Bill 

[Bill Lamond]

Hi,

Today I've had a flock of 34 geese heading N over south Brantford and just now, 90 over the backyard heading N. 

There won't be many geese left around here at this rate!

Bill

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From: Bill Lamond
Sent: June 1, 2021 11:16 PM
To: hsa-natu...@googlegroups.com <hsa-natu...@googlegroups.com>; brant...@googlegroups.com <brant...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Canada Geese on the move