Not that I want to focus on migration, but now is the season we notice many avian migrants. To most readers, a late September or early October frontal passage brought with it flocks of migrating geese. The “vees” of geese heading southward often signaled fall’s arrival as much as the changing leaf color. I thought I’d focus on some geese information and first of all to correct an often misused term. Most of the flocks of geese passing overhead are Canada geese. I still hear many folks and a few TV reporters referring to the huge flocks of “Canadian geese” heading south. That is of course an incorrect name. (Canada goose/geese)

Betraying my age, in my first year of two of teaching in the mid-70s, I remember one of my birding drives to Beltzville Lake on a bitter January day. In a cornfield rested a flock of more than 60 Canada geese. I photographed them and noted how unusual it was to see them overwintering here, especially in that very cold January. Today, it is the norm to see flocks of “Canadas” almost everywhere. I will confess, resident Canada geese don’t rank very high on my most liked list. In fact, they and house finches battle for the lowest spot.

Locally these geese breed at almost every pond or permanent body of water. They are grazers and “boy, do they graze.” Their feeding naturally results in them defecating, and much of that befouls lawns, golf courses, beaches, playgrounds, etc. Now that many geese remain all year, we have added them to the problem list. Local farmers lose much of their winter rye/barley as the flocks of geese make their daily flights from unfrozen lakes to feast on the short green plants by nipping them off.

If you drive to Lehigh or Northampton Counties in January or February you may have noticed huge flocks of nearly all white birds sometimes covering an acre or more of a grain field. These birds are snow geese; summer Canadian breeders and now very common winter visitors here.

The Delaware Bay, Chincoteague, Assateague and Bombay Hook areas normally “overflowed” with massive flocks of “snows.” Our warming winter temperatures have allowed them to remain farther north, and the Lehigh Valley area is a favored home. From talking to farmers, apparently snow geese are even harder on the winter grains. They snip off the dormant grain plants or even pull them completely out of the soil, causing more damage than “Canadas.” “Snows” are beautiful though, and a flock quickly taking flight on a crisp, January afternoon can be breathtaking.

I more regularly observe more snow geese flocks flying north in spring than their fall flights. Pick a brisk northwest wind day in October or November to look skyward. Canada geese make the oft-heard honking sounds, but snow geese can be heard making more of a croaking sound. They are quite different. Also, Canada geese typically fly in “vee” flocks; while most “snows” have much more scattered flocks. In spring, usually early to mid-March, pick a day with a strong southwest wind just before a cold front arrives, and the geese show will amaze you.

Last March, I stood on German’s Bridge over the Lizard Creek, and from that vantage point, looking as far east and west as possible, I counted 127 flocks of Canada and snow geese pass by in one hour. It was impressive. After years and years of getting outdoors, “I can almost smell the best days.”

Soooo, now it’s your turn. Turn off the TVs, set down the cellphone, skip social media and get out there.

Nature Hint: Before many of the leaves drop, on one of your drives please note the massive numbers of dying ash and oak trees. A future column will highlight their troubles.

Test Your Outdoor Knowledge: _____ are blooming now. A. hornbeams, B. green briars, C. witch hazels, D. shadbushes.

Last Week’s Trivia: The sassafras has three different shaped leaves.

Contact Barry Reed at breed71@gmail.com.