First off I want to thank all the landowners who let me look from their properties so I could look at every nook and crany.
Yes there is a major backup of geese along the north shore of Lake Saint Francis (St Lawrence River). I spent 5 hours today counting the Snow Geese flock which was almost solid from sw of Lancaster eastward 30km to Saint Zotique Quebec In Ontario I had approximately 407,000 Greater Snow Geese, plus another 73,000 Greater Snow Geese on the Quebec end of the flock. The snow geese never left the river during the time I was there. After noon the eagles which were present were flushing goose flocks of 10s of thousands up at time. Most flocks were just settle down in the same area once the eagles past. The Blue Morph Greater Snow Goose ratio today is similar to Friday’s ratios. In addition there was 40-50,000 Canada Geese in the area. Canada Geese were interested in foraging and were moving back and forth between fields east of Lancaster, areas southeast of Valleyfield Quebec and what looked like a movement northwest towards Ottawa from the Lancaster area. The Eagles There were 2 Goldens and 5 Bald Eagles hunting the geese today. One Bald Eagle was on the ice eating a snow goose while 1000s of Snow Geese watched from only 100m away. Once corn fields in the area thaw again and the cold wind lets up, thousands these geese will probably come inland to forage. Directions To access the area from the 401 exit either 814(Lancaster cty rd 34) or further west at exit 804 (Summerstown cty rd 27) follow cty rd 2/south service road eastward into Quebec (Hwy 338). There are several viewing areas of the river along these roads. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
