I love in North CA and I've been seeing dozens of flocks moving SouthEast over the past 2 weeks. If they are starting to Migrate early this year does it mean its going to be getting colder sooner this year?
2006-08-11 17:59:59 · 7 answers · asked by star p 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
As per my research, I have concluded that the migration of Canada Geese is actually normal for this time of year. In summer the geese molt, and loose the feathers needed for flying. The male goose looses his right after mating, while the female looses hers about 5 or so weeks after her goslings hatch.
Basically, molting takes between 30-45 days, and during this time, flight is not an option, obviously..:) At any rate, most of the geese have grown back their new flight feathers by the end of July, just in time to teach the goslings to fly. Now, migration begins in late August or early September depending on how far north they are, and may be begun as soon as flight feathers have grown, if food is scarce. The exact timing of migrations depend not only on daylight, but on conditions in weather and food supplies. In general, if the conditions for the geese are good for them, they rely upon a hormone that is produced during migration season, that basically tells them to get outta' dodge. :)
So, as you can see, there are several factors that could contribute to the geese you have seen flying overhead. In my personal opinion, they were thinking that if they get their first, they will have better nesting options, better food, and better bathroom rights. :) It certainly does not mean that winter will be any "earlier" than usual. Hope that helps.
2006-08-12 11:36:17 · answer #1 · answered by poofygrl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Migration tends to be an imprinted behavior....different species, or even different flocks are influenced by different cues (temperature change, length of day, etc.) Some populations of geese migrate at different times of the year, and some populations become permanent residents and stop migrating altogether.
2006-08-11 18:20:22 · answer #2 · answered by swilliamrex 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a very good little bit of verse certain, I do belive iciness has snuck in on us,,, after I headed out from my residing house on Florida's west coast some months in the past to pass to the Durham area of NC for this project, little did I understand i become headed into an early deep freeze. very last evening ought to were a preview of issues to comprise wind chills close to fifteen. this too shall pass, i desire, and a minimum of I do have the alternative of taking my time without work back residing house with the nice and comfy temperature of pricey associates to chase the chills
2016-11-29 23:18:24 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe. Because of global warming, we're having shorter winters that may start earlier than they're supposed to, or southeast is getting warmer earlier than it usually does, so geese have to move it.
2006-08-11 18:05:49 · answer #4 · answered by demon_card99 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you seen them looking at a calendar? Have you looked at what science has already learned about when birds begin a migration?
2006-08-11 18:09:25 · answer #5 · answered by Frank N 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hmm, all i know that tsunami has changed the weather dramatically and the winter is longer than usual, i was in Vancouver in January 2005, and the weather dropped to -9, it was very cold, it was just unusual, it's usually dropped to-1, but never to -9, the entire city was frozen.
2006-08-11 18:16:00 · answer #6 · answered by NR 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nah, they're just being geese. They don't migrate like clockwork.
2006-08-11 18:05:25 · answer #7 · answered by extton 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋