Duck!

[jhetley]

Mallards, maybe 20-30 grazing brown grass along the (frozen) stream through the cemetery. Afraid I can't call them migrants and a harbinger of spring, as they winter over in open water along our river. No sign of geese yet, even though some Canucks have reported their arrival or passage. Contrary to widespread belief, a sizable chunk of Canadian population lies south of us.

Wind is now picking up, and the sun wanes by the minute. Glad I snuck my bike ride in early.

7 miles /-, 40 minutes

Comments

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

I suspect your geese may head on into Ontario or Quebec rather than eastward to Maine. However, we would welcome them as Portents (unless they start squabbling and shitting on the lawn) and point them to open water on some of the lakes -- weird winter, as I have commented previously.

[kk1raven.livejournal.com]

You're right about at least some of the geese here. The identifiable Snow Geese mostly go through Ontario and Quebec to breed on Bylot Island in Nunavot. I don't know where the migratory Canada Geese the winter here breed. Still, if they're moving here, they're moving elsewhere too, so you should have your sign of spring soon. (I saw this as I'm watching snow flurries through my office window.)

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

Saw a wedge of Canada geese, maybe 10-15, flying low through the rain yesterday morning. I was driving, so I couldn't hear them.

And we have snow flurries here, as well.