This would qualify as an alert rather than a sighting. A call today to the Montezuma National Wildlife Area in New York State, just south of Lake Ontario, yielded signs of encouragement for what may be a strong year in Eastern Ontario for Snow Geese. Later this month and in early to mid-April they will be visible in agricultural fields in a few areas from Cornwall north to the Ottawa River and east to the Quebec border. Staff biologist, Tracy Gingrich, confirmed that this week, large numbers have arrived just south of the refuge (which is still frozen) and are appearing on a lake, as well as heading into agricultural fields. They should enter the reserve in the days ahead when it warms up. Right now, the number may be about 75,000 with Tracy noting a single flock he saw that could have numbered 40,000. This is a good year for them. This area is the source of Eastern Ontario's birds, as noted in the current issue of OFO News. Once the geese are ready to head east to Quebec they will make a rapid flight along the south shore of the St. Lawrence and cross to the north side somewhere west of Cornwall (perhaps 5-20 km). They have just come all the way from the Atlantic coast and bypassed the Lake Champlain staging area. They don't seem to stop when they head east from New York so you'd have to be there at the time to see the actual migration, which often follows Hwy 401 past Cornwall. Some birds also follow the river. The best opportunity for viewing whatever numbers linger in the adjacent counties is in fields north of Lancaster, west of Alexandria, east of Bourget, east and south of Casselman, generally in the Riceville area and at Carlsbad Springs. But these birds move around and may head from one concession to another. In one year they may favour a particular location without stopping at all at another. They don't need flooded fields but the presence of standing water is an attraction, which is often present near Bourget, Riceville and Carlsbad Springs. There are always thousands but occasionally flocks of 10,000 or more are possible. Let's hope this is one of those years. Note: Today saw the first major movement of blackbirds and Canada Geese in the Cornwall area. Brian Morin Ontario Birding News Cornwall (613) 938-5795 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
