The spring gathering of Canada Goose near Valentine has been especially prominent at the end of February and beginning of March. With the obvious extent of these waterfowl, an effort was undertaken to get details of their occurrence, and to do so in a manner that would not be arbitrary but rather a common method of observation. Observation points were most variable on the first day, but then a standard protocol was undertaken, and followed most prominent in the first three hours of the morning from one point of observation. Other sightings of Canada Goose movement were kept while traversing the vicinity during times other than times of particular attention.
The largest flight was brought particular attention to the migratory event was especially prominent during an hour of the morning on February 27. From a suitable vantage point or two on the north side of the city, multiple flocks of various sizes were seen flying northward during 8:25 to 9:20 a.m.
Counts were made of individual birds when possible, but when larger flocks, and several of them were present during a brief time interval, counts were made based upon groups of five or ten birds. For some distant flocks, numbers based upon a groups in the distant had to be done. Therefore the exact count is not accurate to the number of individual geese, but indicative of an overall extent based upon accepted methods of counting large flocks of birds.
All of the initial observations were made from my usual lookout at the west end of the North Lake Shore Hills, and which is a site that provides a fine view of what seems to be an avenue especially suitable for watching movements of wildbirds. After about 9 a.m. counts were made from points along eastern Lake Shore Drive and then from the prominent height at 8th and north Main Street. Upon reaching the Main street vantage point, it was obvious that the geese were flying in a westerly direction, and then going northerly. The two latter locales provide an expansive view of area skies where the geese fly.
This is a tally of the number of geese seen at different times, and represent distinct occurrences during the morning of the 27th when temperatures were in the mid-20s with clear skies, and winds northwest at 6 m.p.h., according to the local weather report on the radio:
- 8:25 - 65, 9, 13
- 8:30 - 18, 27, 42
- 8:35 - 40, 36, 68, 325, 75
- 8:38 - 65, 120, 90
- 8:43 - 30, 5, 13, 50
- 8:45 - 310, 60
- 8:48 - 325, 75; from 8:35 to 8:48 was the obvious peak in the goose flight; during this time, smaller flight groups were combined so that a count could occur, otherwise, indications of occurrence would have been lost if each particular group would have to be given individual consideration; groups became one count while keeping track of multitudes of geese in flight within a brief time-frame
- 8:49 - 95
- 8:52 - 70
- 8:53 - 25
- 8:56 - 120
- 9:00 - 20
- 9:05 - 40, 45, 25
- 9:10 - 10, 140
- 9:15 - 90, 190, 25, 95, 180, 5, 25, 25, 75, 5
- 9:20 - 20
During noon hour while along Main Street, a flock of 15 geese were seen flying northward. Some others were heard, but could not be seen. This is indicative that the overall extent of occurrence of this species of waterfowl would likely exceed the numbers denoted, as additional flocks were likely not observed as other necessities prevented continual observation from ca. 9:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.
There were ca. 3200 Canada Goose present amidst these flocks. Though it was not possible to determine the exact number of Cackling Goose, there were several obviously small geese apparent among the flocks, so their number was estimated as being at least a minimum of five. The only way to derive an actual number would be to ignore the big geese while looking for smaller geese. This is not the observational protocol used as the intent was to denote one species rather than another species.
It seems that the geese roost on available open water, including, notably the Niobrara River and also at Potters Pond easterly of Fort Niobrara NWR. In the morning, the birds fly northward to crop fields where they can forage? Obviously there is a source of food northerly from Valentine, because otherwise the geese would be going elsewhere.
This greatly exceeds the 1100 seen during surveys on February 17 at Bryan Bridge and Potters Pond.
The indicated occurrence was a dramatic increase in the number of these geese which had been observed via a similar manner on the previous day.
Wednesday, the 28th
The geese got moving early, with the first flock going northerly before sunrise. Weather conditions were similar to those on Tuesday.
- 7:31 - 10
- 7:52 - 3
- 7:54 - 30, 2
- 7:58 - 2
- 8:00 - 50, 35
- 8:01 - 25
- 8:03 - 24
- 8:05 - 32, 49
- 8:06 - 37
- At this time a flock of six Common Merganser were seen going easterly.
- At this time a flock of six Common Merganser were seen going easterly.
- 8:09 - 48, 35
- 8:12 - 112 and including a Cackling Goose
- 8:13 - 10, 3, 2 and including a Cackling Goose
- 8:15 - 6, 140, 3, 9
- 8:22 - 8
- 8:23 - 7
- 8:24 - 14
- 8:25 - 57
- 8:26 - 21, 15
- 8:30 - 3, 55
- 8:31 - 95
- At this time some of the flocks were present at a distance and seen for only a brief time so more group counts had to be quickly made.
- 8:32 - 25, 2
- 8:36 - 27
- 8:40 - 180
- 8:42 - 100, 48
- 8:49 - 45, 40
- 8:50 - 21
- 8:53 - 35
- 8:54 - 15
- 9:02 - 17
- 9:09 - 34, 15
- 9:20 - 12
- 9:33 - 12
The overall tally for the time was 1580 Canada Goose. This number likely was lesser because some of the flocks would not have been seen from the vantage point where a hill blocks the view to the northeast.
March 1st, Thursday
The first geese were not seen until 8:21 a.m. when the temperature was about 20o with winds from the southwest at 5 m.p.h. and mostly clear skies. The following are details:
- 8:21 - 2
- 8:40 - 50
- 8:53 - 4, 10
- 8:55 - 4
- 8:58 - 11, 7, 18
- 9:03 - 2, 9
- 9:06 - 14
- 9:24 - 7
- 9:29 - 2
- 9:32 - 12
- 11:48 - 25 going northwest above Valentine
- 12:28 - 21
The overall tally of northward flying geese was 219, and the number was markedly lesser than what was seen the previous day, using observation methods which were basically similar.
Friday, March 2nd
The morning started with a temperature of 34o with southwest winds at 7-18 m.p.h. and then 10-15 m.p.h. at 7:30 with clear skies. The following are details:
- 7:19 - 23
- 7:26 - 1, 25
- 7:39 - 15, 19, 27 going easterly a short distance north of my vantage point
- 7:43 - 3, 9, 2
- 8:02 - 2 flew in from the north and landed at the Valentine Mill Pond
- 8:06 - 70
- 8:15 - 2, 2
- 8:22 - 10 going east northeast
- 8:24 - 2 in pair flight northward of the Mill Pond
- 8:30 - 17 going northerly
- 8:32 - 40 going northerly
- 8:38 - 8 going southerly
- 8:51 - 21
- 9:05 - 5, 8 with both departing from the Mill Pond
- 9:09 - 5
- 9:15 - 8
- 9:16 - 3, 4
- 9:19 - 16
- 9:26 - 65 going easterly as seen northward of my vantage point, which was primarily the same place as on the previous two days
- 9:28 - 4 Canada Goose and 2 Cackling Goose flying southwest
- 9:30 - 11
- 9:35 - 28
- 9:40 - 65
- 9:42 - 23
- 9:43 - 18, 7
- 10:00 - 13, 7
- 10:05 - 23 loitering at the Valentine Mill Pond where open water was a new landscape feature as warmer temperatures meant open water along the channel of Minnechaduza Creek and lesser ice upon the surface of the pond
- 10:15 - 19 over Valentine
- 10:48 - 45 going easterly at the northern extent of Valentine, while a similar-sized flock was going westerly above the southern extent of the heart city
- 10:50 - 14
- 12:04 - 24 going southerly and which are not included in the tally for the day as they may have been some of the fowl flying northward earlier in the day
- 16:15 - 25 departed from the Mill Pond, and going northerly; this flock was also not included in the overall tally
The estimate for the day's flight was ca. 600. This day was notably different because of the obvious variability in the flight path of the geese. While some were flying northerly, others were going southerly. Add into the mix the movement of birds easterly.
Saturday, March 3rd
An undetermined number of Canada Goose were present overnight at the Mill Pond. At least twice during the dark hours they could be heard. Their presence undoubtedly was denoted as they left in the morning to go northward to feeding grounds. Their departure was obvious as they would be a notably lesser elevation as they departed from the nearby water body, and could be specifically obvious upon their departure.
During the morning period of observation from 7-10 a.m., there were very few flocks conveying the migratory movement characteristics seen on previous days. The birds were flying at a greater distance above the ground and had a particular flight path in a general northerly direction.
These are the particular notations for the day, with obvious indications that many of these birds had departed from the Valentine Mill Pond:
- 7:04 - 1; this is likely a bird from the Mill Pond
- 7:18 - 35
- 7:36 - 2
- 7:39 - 2
- 7:52 - 17
- 7:57 - 7
- 8:03 - 3
- 8:05 - 14 from the Mill Pond as their initial flight from the pond was observed and then the flock flew over my vantage point on their flight northward
- 8:32 - 12
- 8:52 - 4
- 9:15 - 7
- 9:16 - 2
- 9:21 - 2
- 9:27 - 10
- 9:40 - 7, 8
- 9:46 - 5
- 9:47 - 4
- 10:04 - 65
- 10:12 - 6
- 11:36 - 125 going northeasterly in a single flock while other smaller flocks were coming from the north and landing at the Mill Pond
What was notably differnt today was an influx of geese from the north at the Mill Pond during mid-day. A bunch of 31 flew in and landed about 11 a.m. Another bunch of 43 arrived at 11:17. Then at 11:35 eight arrived while to the north, there were 125 flying northeasterly. Two other arrivals occurred at 12:06 (44) and 12:12 (8). There were some Cackling Goose seen and heard.
These details indicate that some geese are migrating though the area, while others that have been resident have adapted to the newly available open waters at the Mill Pond. There has also been the indication that breeding season birds are initiating a claim on a nesting territory, especially for a place amidst the pond cattail marsh.
One notably different feature of the movements of these waterfowl has been their occurrence in the evening. Prior to this focused period of observation, flocks of geese were regularly seen at dusk, and after the sun had set. Their presence was obvious as many skeins — numbering in the dozens — could be readily seen going southward, probably towards their overnight roosts, notably on the Niobrara River southward of Valentine. During the few days when the multiple morning observations occurred, during time spent watching as dark descended, there were no flocks seen.
Sunday, March 4th
The morning was cloudy with fog so it was not possible to see the birds in a manner sufficient to do any counts.
Monday, March 5th
This morning brought temperatures in the mid 20's with a fresh snowfall of less than an inch. The most prominent weather condition were the winds. When the first birds were seen just after 7 a.m., winds from the northwest were already at a sustained 15-25 m.p.h. with gusts exceeding 40 m.p.h. Just before noon there a recorded gust of 53 m.p.h. Sustained winds exceeding 20 m.p.h. and gusts into the lower 40s continued through the afternoon, with figures of 17 m.p.h. and gusts to 33 m.p.h. and more from the west at 3 p.m.
It was obvious that the birds were struggling as they flew into the winds. The birds would get rocked to and fro as they flew along. The winds obviously had an influence on the behavior of the geese. These are the known observations:
- 7:01 - 50
- 7:02 - 12
- 7:04 - 26
- 7:05 - 62; it was seemingly as if the birds wanted to get to the feeding grounds early as typically winds are lesser early in the morning
- A surprising observation was a flock of 50 Show Goose going southwest, as if trying to move away from the snowstorm/blizzard conditions which were more severe in southern South Dakota.
- 8:17 - 7
- 8:39 - 23
- 8:40 - 33
- A second flock of 65 Snow Goose were seen and also flying in a southwestern direction.
- 9:17 - 7 Canada Goose along with two Cackling Goose
- Some of the Canada Goose were already returning southward at 9:25, with their destination the Mill Pond.
- 12:40 - 32 going northerly
- 1:53 - 8
- 1:54 - 12
- 1:55 - 25
- 1:58 - 4
- 2:01 - 17
- 2:02 - 25; winds were gusting about 53 m.p.h. at this time
- 2:03 - 27
- 2:04 - 6
- 2:11 - 28
- 2:14 - 33
- 2:18 - 14
- 2:20 - 30
- 2:36 - 21
- 4:25 - 85
- 4:28 - 13
- 4:34 - 11
- 4:37 - 8
- 4:38 - 37
- 4:48 - 14
- 4:53 - 2
- 4:57 - 9
- 5:00 - 6
- 5:02 - 14
- 5:18 - 5
- At 5:32 and 5:38 there were two groups of 7 going southerly. There were a total of fourteen flights going southward until 6:58 when it was too dark to see any flying birds (sunset was about 6:35 p.m. Numbers varied basically between four and 20, with the two greatest at 27 and 33.
- 5:55 - 4
It is possible that some of the birds seen going northerly later in the day could have returned from the morning feeding, and were venturing northward again.
During the morning a few small flocks of smaller waterfowl were seen but were too far a distance to allow identification. They were moving along too fast with the wind at their back.
The average wind speed during the day was 27 m.p.h. with a peak gust at 59 m.p.h.
Tuesday, March 6th
The morning brought steady light snow and significant wind from the northwest at 20-35 m.p.h. and gusts to 40. No Canada Goose movement was noted until after 10:30 a.m. These are the few observations.
- 10:32 - 6
- 10:37 - 31 left the Mill Pond
- 10:38 - 1
- 11:02 - 9 when its still snowing and winds were northwest at 25-30 m.p.h. with gusts to 40 m.p.h.
- 11:07 - 45
- 11:21 - 1
- At 11:44 a flock of 62 Snow Goose were flying in a west, southwest direction; another flock of 26 going southwest occurred at 12:32
- At 11:48 a flock of 30 were seen going southwesterly; and three bunches of 13, 16 and 11 were going in the same direction at 11:52
- At 11:44 a flock of 62 Snow Goose were flying in a west, southwest direction; another flock of 26 going southwest occurred at 12:32
- 1:53 p.m. - 23 when the snow was ending and there was some slight clearing in the sky
- 3:24 - 24, which included two Cackling Goose
- 3:34 - 32 north, including one cackler
- 3:56 - 70, including 4 Cackling Goose
- 4:02 - 2
- 4:07 - 55
- 4:27 - 4
- 4:50 - 17
- 4:53 - 12
- 5:25 - 14
- 5:36 - 6
One reason for the significant decline in the number Canada Goose observed could be that due to snow and a decline in temperatures, birds moved to a different roost site — perhaps the Niobrara River — and their trajectory to the north would not have been visible from my usual vantage point. The difference seemed to be made up later in the afternoon.
Summary
This is an overall summary of the flight movements by Canada Goose in the immediate vicinity of Valentine, Nebraska. Each particular notation of an observation was entered into a relational database, and summarized within a particular time period. The number of distinct counts of birds were: 2/27 (44 instances); 2/28 (50); 3/1 (16); 3/2 (40); 3/3 (21); 3/5 (33); and, 3/6 (15). This is an indicative representation of the geese seen flying northward during these days.
Time Period 2/27 2/28 3/1 3/2 3/3 3/5 3/6 0700 to 0714 - - - - - - - - 1 150 - - 0715 to 0729 - - - - - - 75 35 - - - - 0730 to 0744 - - 10 - - 75 4 - - - - 0745 to 0759 - - 37 - - - - 24 - - - - 0800 to 0814 - - 462 - - 72 17 - - - - 0815 to 0829 87 280 2 14 - - 7 - - 0830 to 0844 1004 440 50 71 12 23 - - 0845 to 0859 1080 156 54 21 4 - - - - 0900 to 0914 280 17 25 10 - - - - - - 0915 to 0929 735 12 9 100 21 7 - - 0930 to 0944 - - 12 12 152 15 - - - - 0945 to 0959 - - - - - - - - 9 - - - - 1000 to 1014 - - - - - - 43 71 - - - - 1015 to 1029 - - 6 - - 19 - - - - - - 1030 to 1044 - - - - - - - - - - - - 38 1045 to 1059 - - - - - - 121 - - - - - - 1100 to 1114 - - - - - - - - - - - - 54 1130 to 1144 - - - - - - - - 125 - - - - 1145 to 1159 - - 70 25 - - - - - - - - 1200 to 1214 15 45 - - - - - - - - - - 1215 to 1229 - - 23 21 - - - - - - - - 1230 to 1244 - - - - - - - - - - 32 - - 1345 to 1359 - - - - - - - - - - 49 23 1400 to 1414 - - - - - - - - - - 136 - - 1415 to 1429 - - - - - - - - - - 44 - - 1430 t0 1444 - - - - - - - - - - 21 - - 1515 to 1529 - - - - - - - - - - - - 32 1530 to 1544 - - - - - - - - - - - - 70 1600 to 1614 - - - - - - - - - - - - 57 1615 t0 1629 - - - - - - - - - - - - 4 1615 to 1629 - - 20 - - - - - - 98 - - 1630 to 1644 - - - - - - - - - - 56 - - 1645 to 1659 - - 10 - - - - - - 25 17 1700 to 1714 - - - - - - - - - - 20 - - 1715 to 1729 - - - - - - - - - - 5 14 1730 to 1744 - - - - - - - - - - - - 5 1745 to 1759 - - - - - - - - - - 4 - - With a notable chages in weather conditions in the morning on Sunday, March 4th conditions for watching the movement of the geese was dramatically different. There were colder temperatures, fog and cloudy skies, and drizzle. For these reasons, observation efforts were not done. Some of the local birds still were seen going northward to distant foraging grounds.
Cold-night conditions meant a distinct change in goose behavior. Overnight on the 7th the low temperature was 8o and subsequently there was only a single observation of 32 Canada Goose seen going northward between 7 and 10 a.m. Notably, between 4:55 and 5:20 p.m. about 525 were seen going northward from a vantage point within Valentine. These birds were obviously leaving roost places associated with the Niobrara River. After sunset, some Canada Goose could be heard being expressive at the Valentine Mill Pond.
The overnight low on the 8th was 13o so weather conditions were similar with no flocks noted during the morning hours of the subsequent day. The transition from winter to spring was obvious with warmer days conducive to the arrival of seasonal wildbird species. Thus ends this endeavor.
- 7:19 - 23
A few minutes after this time, there were five geese loitering at the Valentine Mill Pond. - 11:48 - 25 going northwest above Valentine
