[Birdtalk] Snow Goose Feeding Cycle

[birderb at aol.com]

 I have a 2,000 acre marsh in this area ( at the western end of 2400 North). Over the years, I have watched the Geese feeding in the tall crested wheat grass meadows on the upland side of my property. They usually graze on the grass there. Occassionally, they will pick up corn missed when harvested in the fall in the adjacent fields. 
 
 Two years ago, I was there when the flock flew into the fields just before sunset. There was a full moon rising over the mountains. My son and I stayed there until well after sunset, enjoying the sight and the sounds of the geese. They were still feeding in the field when we left.
 
 Regards,
    Bill Fenimore
 Utah Audubon Policy Advocate
 1860 North 1000 West
 Layton, UT 84041-1858
 801-525-8400 Businees
 801-525-8415 Fax
 801-699-9330 Cellular
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 -----Original Message-----
 From: westwings at sisna.com
 To: birdtalk at utahbirds.org
 Sent: Tue, 13 Mar 2007 6:02 PM
 Subject: Re: [Birdtalk] Snow Goose Feeding Cycle
 
  It's also instructive to note that the energy requirements of the geese here, in mid-migration, are considerably greater than those of wintering birds in New Mexico, thus a greater amount of time spent feeding. The other factor that probably plays a part is the energy content of waste grain, that the birds are eating in New Mexico, is much higher than the new grass they're grazing upon here in the Spring. It would surprise me if the birds here did not feed for a much greater part of the day. 
 
 Of course, grass is less efficient digestively as well, so maybe a hat and keeping your face down if the flock launches over your observation point would be a good idea. 
 
 Stay clean! 
 
 Mark Stackhouse 
 mark at westwings.com 
 801-487-9453 (Salt Lake City, Utah, USA) 
 011-52-323-285-1243 (San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico) 
 
 On Mar 13, 2007, at 4:41 PM, Kristin Purdy wrote: 
 
 > Jim noted that he has not observed Snow Geese wintering at Bosque Del > Apache feed a second time in late afternoon/evening. But the second > feeding period is a likely possibility according to information in > Cornell's Birds of North America: 
 > 
 > Often forages in large flocks (>1,000 individuals), flying or walking > between roosting and feeding areas; remains in one area for a > considerable amount of time feeding on underground plant parts. > Feeding cycle generally diurnal and bimodal, with peaks in early > morning and late evening (Palmer 1976, Davis et al. 1989); cycle may > vary in areas under tidal influence (Gauthier et al. 1988) or late > during spring migration (Alisauskas and Ankney 1992). 
 > 
 > Maybe the Bosque birds are dieting to avoid becoming foie gras. 
 > 
 > In addition, Betsy mentioned that she has encountered populations of > Snow Geese in her birding travels that feed twice during the day. 
 > 
 > Kris_______________________________________________ 
 > Birdtalk mailing list 
 > Birdtalk at utahbirds.org 
 > http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk= 
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