[Mnbird] Geese formations

[DONALD GRUSSING Owner]

These migrations are not always successful.  I was told a few years ago by one of the fish and wildlife professionals. that one molt flock elected to handle the molt on an island out in one of the large northern lakes (I don't remember what lake). The island did not have enough natural foodstuffs to sustain the flock and all the birds died of starvation. I've since been using that story as an example of the problems overpopulation can bring to any species, including Homo sapiens.


Some knowledge of the molt migrations was acquired by observations of geese marked with orange neck collars nesting in the Twin cities area.  The collars were placed on non-mating juveniles in molt migration areas in Manitoba in previous years.


In following years, the mature birds mated and stayed in Minnesota to raise their broods.


Don Grussing
Minnetonka


On Thu, 30 May, 2024 at 8:24 PM, Rebecca Field via Mnbird <mnbird at lists.mnbird.net> wrote:
 

To: carla smith
Cc: mnbird at lists.mnbird.net
I witnessed the same thing over Long Lake in Orono.


Becky Field



On Thu, May 30, 2024 at 7:57 PM Carla Smith via Mnbird <mnbird at lists.mnbird.net<mailto:mnbird at lists.mnbird.net>> wrote:




What is going on with the geese today?  I’ve seen and heard about 8 large formations flying over honking continuously.  The first two were at about 4 and 4:30 this morning before it was even light.  They were so loud and it went on so long that it actually woke me up!  Seems like a strange time of year to be flying in large formations.  Most have been heading northwest although part of the most recent one was circling a bit.  Are they perhaps sensing unsettled weather on the way?
 
I’m in Independence just northwest of the lake.
 
Carla_______________________________________________
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