If ducks/geese fly south for the winter....?

Question

Why do I always see them flying in formation to the west, east or north (in the Fall)?
My theory is that maybe they are going to a rendezvous point or feeding ground to meet other groups before heading south.

Answer 1

You are correct that they are gathering in large flocks before they start/continue to migrate. Many species of birds, not just waterfowl, do this. I was just at Crex Meadows Sunday, and the Sandhill Cranes are gathering there by the thousands, preparing for their migration. I have also witnessed hundreds of thousands of Snow Geese gather at Bombay Hook NWR in Delaware and Forsythe NWR in NJ, which lie in a major migratory flyway.

http://www.ducks.org/Conservation/WaterfowlBiology/2115/UnderstandingWaterfowlThinkLikeaDuck.html explains some things about duck migration:

"By late August and early September, many ducks vacate smaller wetlands used during the breeding season and congregate with other waterfowl on larger marshes and lakes. During this fall staging period, individual birds organize with others of their own species into larger flocks in preparation for migration to their wintering grounds...
The middle of October is a time of transition for waterfowl. The first major snowstorms and Arctic blasts of the year begin to plunge across the Canadian border, and rapidly declining day lengths and progressively colder weather trigger the migration of waterfowl from the breeding grounds...
"By the middle of December, most waterfowl have reached their wintering grounds across the southern tier of the United States and Mexico.."

It is also true that birds generally follow a particular path, or migratory flyway. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/birding/migration/faq/ states:
"The migratory flights of many migrating birds follow specific routes, sometimes quite well-defined, over long distances. The shape of the continent determines the main routes of migration. These routes run north to south and include the Atlantic oceanic route, the Atlantic Flyway, the Mississippi Flyway, the Central Flyway, the Pacific Flyway, and the Pacific oceanic route (see Section 2). Geographic factors, ecological conditions and meteorological conditions determine such routes. The majority of migrants travels along broad airways within these flyways changing their flight direction in response to the direction and force of the wind. Some routes cross oceans or huge bodies of water. Some small songbirds migrate 500-600 miles across the Gulf of Mexico."

You can find maps of the major flyways here: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/birding/migration/flyways/ You will notice that, although the flyways are primarily north/south, there is also a lot of east/west movement, especially in the Atlantic Flyway, as birds from various areas approach the flyway.

Answer 2

Ducks and geese do not stay in one location all winter long. Here in southern Illinois there is a system of refuges and many corn fields. There are refuges in Kentucky and Missouri as well. Waterfowl typically move from one refuge to another. Geese and mallards typically feed on corn fields in one area, then shift to another area once the grain is depleted.

It is common to see geese get off Crab Orchard Refuge in the mornings and up to Rend Lake or over to corn fields on the Wabash River. They may stay there for several days or they may come back in the evening.

Answer 3

I've just recently answered this question, and i'll paste it here for you to read. Certain bird species don't migrate and stay year round. It depends on the bird species, and instinct drives many birds south where temperatures are warmer and food is abundant. Birds like Warblers and Flycatchers need to migrate because they simply are not built to survive cold temperatures, and they cannot find food during the winter months. Read on to find out more: "Not all species of birds actually migrate south. Many of them stay year round in sub-zero temperatures. Those are the hardier, seed eating birds that are built to survive such temperatures. Dark Eyed Juncos are one example of this. I've often seen them at the feeder in large flocks with the temperature outside in the -20's (Celsius). They're well insulated against the cold weather. They form flocks to make finding food easier, and often form mixed flocks with other wintering species. Finches usually do not migrate either. Pine Grosbeaks, Evening Grosbeaks, Redpolls (both Common and Hoary) Pine Siskins, American Goldfinch, Purple Finch are example of species that are hardy winter birds. They feed on seed at bird feeders, and they also feed on cone-bearing trees. Finches often are irruptive (meaning numbers fluctuate each year) depending on how many cones are available on the trees, so the fly in search of cones and other food. Wintering birds will also eat the seeds on tall grasses, and will come to bird feeders for suet and other seed offerings. But in the wild they do fine with an abundance of natural food. Hoary Redpolls are very hardy - they've been known to survive in Alaska in - 67 degree weather!! " Hope this answers your question! :)

Answer 4

are there pictures of the ducks or geese that stay in Michigan during the winter

Answer 5

you are probably right but i doubt it

ds