Last February I wrote about the Canadian geese heading north from the field next to us. Wee, they're back. At first I asked just in the world they were doing here as it seems they only left yesterday but in taking a look, they have been gone around 6 months.
Wow - What have I done with my last 6 months. Certainly not what they have.
They migrate app. 2,500 miles each way so to my figuring, they in are in the midst of a 5000 mile excursion. They travel about 50 mph and 500-600 miles per day. Once back in their nesting grounds in Canada, they mated, built nests, the ladies laid a clutch of an average to 5 to 7 eggs - each one taking a day to lay (ouch - I can relate). Once incubated the fuzzy goslings take a couple days to break their way free from their shell (I know a few 20-30 year old humans that have not broken from their shells yet). The fuzzy little ones can swim right away but are far from flying - that takes some coaching from Mom and Pop. In the meantime, the parents are taking 3-4 weeks to moult and rid themselves of last years outfit to grow new flying feathers. Then they eat their way into an extra layer of fat to keep them strong for their escape from the northern winters to warmer climates. During this time, they teach the new family members the migration paths in hope to ingrain this info into their little brains like a built in GPS unit.
My granddaughter understands the idea of migration to keep the family in areas where they can find food and a warmer place to stay for the winter. But, she wondered why do many of the flocks stop in our field (in truth the field that belongs to the farmer next door who has cattle that don't mind sharing once in awhile).
I told her they travel like her grandparents. We drive until dusk and then pull into the next motel we see and hope there isn't some homecoming game going on in the area. You see, we don't like to travel after dusk anymore and I think that because the lead goose in the "V" formation is usually older, he (or she) doesn't like to fly after dark either. They come flying over our little patio honking to beat the band. I don't know if they are yelling greetings to other groups resting for the night or the others are asking- how come it took you so long. No matter what, they settle in and first thing in the morning they are off again and the field is clear for the cattle to enjoy for the day. Really cool - I think. Of course, I don't seem to think like the average grandma.
Anyway - I find it fascinating that barring any bad run ins with predators (the worst being man) - these wonderful birds can live for 30 years. Whew - that's about 150,000 miles of flying. I wonder if geese have use of any form of Ben-Gay?
Remember that you can now subscribe to my blog at the top right of my home page and will be notified of any new ramblings.
Comments