HI there,
While looking for stuff down at the St. Clair National Wildlife Area, my wife and I found a huge flock of about 3500 Canada Geese feeding on corn, etc, near the Bradley Farms, near the wildlife area. ie. Baited area. In amongst these geese were 2 Greater White-fronts, as well as 2 Snow Geese (Blue). We noted several small, small geese, but at the distance they were out there, and in the confusion of them milling around, couldn't definitively say that there were Cackling geese in with the masses. No doubt these birds had gathered there sometime during the day, but this was about 4 pm. So not sure how much of the day they are present there. Later we were down the road a piece when they decided to head out to roost in the St. Clair NWA for the night. What a sight and sound to see them stream over there. The marshes are open and lots of waterfowl are present, but mainly monocultures of Mallards and congregations of Canadas. If in the wildlife management area, on the access road to the parking area, or along the dikes on Balmoral, which runs along the side of the management area, note that the waterfowl are extremely agitated, and easily frightened since they are a lot gun-shy. Please use your car as a blind and don't walk out on the marsh trail from the parking area in the wildlife area, that leads to the tower. It may not be allowed anyway, by the wildlife management people there, but would certainly result in thousands of ducks going wild over your head. Give those poor quackers and honkers a break. Pete and Sue Read Directions. The St. Clair National Wildlife Area is on Town Line Rd, southwest of Chatham north of the Thames River. From the 401, take the Bloomfield Exit, number 81, north and into Chatham's west end, then River View Line (left) southwest to Jacob Rd, where you can cross the Thames heading north(right turn). Take Maple Rd southwest (left) to Town Line. Going north (right) you will come to Balmoral, and turning left and then immediately right just over the bridge there is an access road to the wildlife area. To get to where we saw the geese, instead of turning right onto Town Line, take a left, and an immediate right just over a small bridge, putting you onto Bradley Line. Follow the curve of the road which leads to the southwest to almost the end, and then look out to the north where there is a large field with a dike and tree line on the far side, bordering the marshes. The baited area is over on the far side of the field. There will be a drainage ditch on the north side where you are, and one running out to the north to your left and further to your right. Two large heaps of junk carrots (look like dirty orange mounds) are out past the left drain, near where the geese might congregate. Keep checking the area throughout the day, and the geese might arrive sometime, off and on.
