Somehow the main flight of Snow Geese arrived yesterday, unannounced. The birds showed up east of South Lancaster at Westley's Point, the same location as the big flight of 2011. Ice conditions are very similar to what they were back then which is great. An absense of ice means there is no reason for the birds to concentrate here and that has unfortunately happened in many of the subsequent years. The ice only really started breaking up a week ago.
There is good ice out to about 200 metres and this forms a welcome resting place for 75,000 mostly Greater Snow Geese. There are some Lessers as well and likely a few Ross's. The birds are thick towards the ice edge for probably 1/4 km. A scope helps but just seeing the spectacle is worthwhile without optics. The birds did not lift off while I was there but Snow Geese are prone to take to the air for no apparent reason, presenting a breathtaking and deafening sight. There is constant movement of birds in and out of the flock. In late afternoon yesterday and today (4-5 p.m.) there was a good concentration with few on the water. Some birds were leaving to go to nearby cornfields. Concession 2 immediately north of Lancaster as well as areas just west of town had about 5-7000 additional birds in different flocks. There is no way of knowing how long the majority of birds will remain at this location before drifting north and east to other favoured areas but they may stay together into the weekend, as long as the ice holds. So far the weather conditions shouldn't present an immediate problem (wind) to push it out. Areas to the north have so far had few birds since lagoons are still frozen. It is unknown if any have shown up along the river at Green Valley, 12 minutes north of Lancaster. Yesterday there were another 4000 birds immediately east of Iroquois along Cty Rd 2. Brian Morin Cornwall Directions: Exit Hwy 401 at Lancaster. Take the South Service Rd about 5 km to Westley's Point. (If you have come from the west go straight ahead at the light). Park on the main road near the mail boxes, not on the short road near the water which is for fire access. That short road is your best viewing point. The adjacent farmland is private property. Be aware that the houses and cottages along the river are all private property and if you cross onto someone's property you may hear about it. Immediately before Westley's Point on South Service Rd is Glengarry Campground. You can walk into the beach area (about 5 minutes) and see them from this angle as well but the birds aren't as close. If they lift off it doesn't matter where you are. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
