We're in for a weather change, Arctic air is about to be visited upon us. Canada geese were migrating today - flock after flock all morning long - from 5 or 6 birds (family groups?) up to large uncountable flocks. They would tack into the Westerly wind and then cut left and sort of glide to keep themselves on their SSE course. How do they know where they' re going? Are they led by parents and flock leaders who have made the trip before or is there a genetic component to their migration. I do know that the 'local' Canada geese appear to have lost all migratory instincts. What are your thoughts?
Apparently they learn routes that are passed down for generations based on landmarks. All that honking they do in the air is their way to keep communicating along the way. We live near a wetlands that a great number of them use for a staging area in the fall. They take practice flights and you can hear them from a great distance. Pretty amazing. Good question, Sourland!
