In the past week or so i been seeing flocks of geese of about 10 to 30 birds why? Are they non breeders or all males or birds that didnt produce a gosslings thats the only ideas i have mybe you can help.
<P>It is called a molt migration. They are preparing for the molt by relocating to an area that supplies their needs. Most are non-breeding birds. Here in WNY we see large concentrations of these birds. Some of the banding & satillite studies show that a fair number of these birds actually move as far north as the traditional nesting areas long after the nesting birds have moved north an reproduced. Jim</P>
<P>Jim is right on with his reply. The non-breeding birds assemble into large groups, (safety in numbers), to wait out the molt. That is the reason you will have a period of time from early June though most of the summer you do not see flocks of bird in the air.</P>
<P>I think you are right on Stan. While I am no biologist, I believe there is inbreeding among molt migrants going north and mingling with Ontario birds, as well as birds moving laterally. Last year during early season, John shot a collared bird with no leg band that had been collared in Illinois!</P>
