Do the geese know something we don't???

[Stephanie]

Last night, Marty went to take our dog outside for a walk at around 10:30pm. He called me to come to the front door. Overhead were several large formations of Canadian geese flying kind of low over our house.

This morning my friend who lives closer to Atlantic City said that two nights ago she saw the same thing happening at her house.

I had noticed this fall that I didn't see as many flocks of geese flying south for the winter. My timing may have been bad, especially since I was working during the casino strike in Atlantic City during all of October. However, this is VERY STRANGE....

[kevin]

I live in Florida. Are the geese up there becoming more dumb?

[vbhoutex]

Down here in Texas when we see flocks of Geese flying south we know that a strong cold snap is on the way. I would presume it has something to do with that where you live even though you are already COLD!!!!

[Persepone]

I think the geese hang around during the winter because, like many wild animals, they are becoming more adapted to the new environment.

In the past, geese flew south for food, etc. Today they hang out and eat handouts from humans, etc. All major office parks, etc. are plagued with the Canadian Geese--but of course people feed them...

A friend of mine in CT buys a couple of loaves of bread a day which she feeds to them. So why should they fly anywhere? They know where to find their dinner...

But sometimes even the geese decide that it's time to get out of Dodge...

[Stephanie]

I was thinking that it had to do with the recent storminess in the Mid Atlantic and Northeast. You may be on to something though Persepone. It just seems so omnious!

[Miss Mary]

Steph - was wondering if you were going to get responses.

I imagine they discuss topics like this on a farmers almanac board!

It does seem related to wx but how, I'm not sure. Was hoping we'd have a Met respond with an interest in nature, in relation to wx.

Thanks for your response though Daria - you seem to take such time with your responses!

Mary

[cswitwer]

I have an odd observation/questison.

Last Sunday at Folly Beach (near Charleston SC) I watched a duck and 3 ducklings hang out in the ocean, just bobbing up and down for at least an hour and a half. They kept biting their backs like they itched (salt?) but... why are ducks floating in the ocean?? I don't know what kind of ducks they were, but you see 'em in the woods in the winter, not the beach!

Anybody seen anything similar, or know why they might have been salt-swimming?

I found it quite odd.

**EDIT: Oops, sorry Mary!**

[Miss Mary]

I have an odd observation/questison.

Last Sunday at Folly Beach (near Charleston SC) I watched a duck and 3 ducklings hang out in the ocean, just bobbing up and down for at least an hour and a half. They kept biting their backs like they itched (salt?) but... why are ducks floating in the ocean?? I don't know what kind of ducks they were, but you see 'em in the woods in the winter, not the beach!

Anybody seen anything similar, or know why they might have been salt-swimming?

I found it quite odd.

**EDIT: Oops, sorry Mary!**

No need to apologize.....don't even know why you are!!! There are no dumb questions here at S2K!

That is odd.

Here's an observation we've noticed on my street. Our builder didn't grade the lots across the street from us properly. In heavy rains the ground way in the back, in a wooded area fills with water. Sometimes several inches deep and after heavy snowfall melting, a foot. When this started happening, ducks would show up. There's a school nearby and the ducks would waddle over to the playground. Teachers and students thought it was cute. Cute alright. But in the middle of the summer, when we have a dry spell, the ducks show up and look for their pond. That's sad and I get all upset at our builder...grrr. One of these ducks laid an egg by the school's front door last year. Teachers and students joked it was their mascot. But the mother duck would not budge, as kids walked by. I'd walk the dog and see her there sitting on her egg/baby. Near the 'pond'.

So what I'm saying is sometimes ducks get used to changes like this or confused? It is sad when the water drains completely down and they look for it.

Mary

[ohiostorm]

Did the egg end up hatching?

About a few weeks ago or so, I noticed all our geese took off. There was 4 large formations of them. Was VERY loud. It was right before the big cold blast we got. So I am assuming they can tell somehow. Maybe its a sign its going to get cold!

[JenyEliza]

Did the egg end up hatching?

About a few weeks ago or so, I noticed all our geese took off. There was 4 large formations of them. Was VERY loud. It was right before the big cold blast we got. So I am assuming they can tell somehow. Maybe its a sign its going to get cold!

Well, good news. The geese are here--safe and sound in Atlanta. My kids and I spent this afternoon feeding them at our favorite park! It was a beautiful, sunny warm afternoon here. 65 degrees this afternoon.

I took some pics, and if I can figure out how to upload them into my computer and put them on photo-bucket, I'll post a picture. There was even an EGRET on our little pond (we don't usually have those here either).

They seemed especially flighty, hungry and greedy this afternoon. My guess is they're aware of the approaching weather this weekend.

Jeny

[Miss Mary]

Yes I think the egg hatched. I would check on that area when walking the dog. Usually the mother was sitting there. Very, very still, feathers fluffed out, very low to the ground - duh, the way you keep an egg warm I guess. I heard she laid the egg in this spot. So I kept my dog away. But if I hadn't known I think I would have the fright of my life. My Golden is always nosing her way into shrubs, sticker bushes, she doesn't care. I can see her walking right up to this duck!

My girls are at the HS now. This school was their former Elementary. So I'm a little out of the loop on school news. I'll have to ask about this baby duck!

Mary