[Birdtalk] Goose Party Well-Attended

[Kristin Purdy]

This morning's white goose party in Corinne, Box Elder County, was well attended. Party-goers included Betsy Beneke, Dave Hanscom, Paul Higgins, Dick and Mrs. Hurren, Pat Medell, Jack Rensel, Ted Steinke, me and 15,000 white geese. The Snow and ROSS'S GEESE followed the same routine as yesterday. They began to arrive around daylight (reported to be around 7:30 by the earliest viewers) and began to depart at about 10:30. The birds tend to congregate first on the far side (north) of the field in the direction of the Wal-Mart distribution warehouse and gradually swarm to the south side near 2400N where the good viewing is. Even the final swarm of thousands of geese departed at exactly the same time as yesterday--11:17 a.m. All the birds appeared to depart in the direction of Bear River MBR again.

Despite the spectacular sight of thousands of geese flying overhead, all the party-goers remembered not to look up at the birds with mouths agape so that there was no inadvertent snacking. 

Betsy checked for a night time feeding session last evening between 5 and 6 pm and the birds were not there. If anyone else gets out there later than that tonight, please let us know if you see them. Predictions on their continued presence are difficult to make. The literature says that migration flights usually begin at dusk, but the birds can migrate at any time of day or night. 

To reach this area, take I-15 to exit 365, Corinne. Turn west on SR-13 and drive into Corinne. In the center of town turn left (south) onto 4000W; the street sign might be missing so look for the double-stacked white grain funnels for the Bear River Valley Co-op on the south side of the road. Drive south for about 1/4 mile and turn right (west) at the stop sign onto 2400N. The fields harboring the geese are on both sides of the road approximately 2 miles from where you last turned. The geese use the fields that stretch for about a mile along the road. 

Kris

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