Time to go? Canada Geese movement hints at season change

(Sentinel photo by Magdalene Landegent) Alberto Moreno, of Le Mars, and his son, Alberto Moreno Jr. watch Canada Geese fly off the water at the Le Mars Municipal Park pond together and head into the sky in V-formation, preparing for migration. [Click to enlarge]

On an average day at the Le Mars Municipal Park around 100 Canada Geese are mingling with other waterfowl.

But lately they've been leaving the water and taking to the air in their famous V-formation.

The geese are preparing for a change -- fall.

Canada Geese (Canadian Geese is actually the informal term) migrate generally in September and October, but they'll probably be around for a while, according to Jeremy Kettmann, a park technician at Hillview Park in Hinton who studies birds' migratory patterns.

"In the fall, they hang around the crop fields and eat corn and beans left in the fields," he said. "They'll probably stay here as long as there's open water and food."

That's good news for hunters. Seasons for hunting Canada Geese in Iowa are Sept. 26-Oct. 4, Oct. 10-Dec. 13 and Dec. 19-Jan. 3.

"They're a fun bird to hunt. They're smart," Kettmann said.

There should be plenty of birds around this fall, according to Kettmann.

"The last three years the local goose population has been pretty strong," he said.

The geese arrive in early spring and congregate near open water like the Le Mars Municipal Park pond, farm ponds and along the Big Sioux River, Kettmann said.

Some geese head all the way to Canada, but not all do.

"They're finding a place to feed, nest and rear their young," he explained.

They eat plant material, grasses and some grains, he said.

Some farmers see Canada Geese as a nuisance since they eat off corn plants 6 inches or smaller.

"Most people don't mind them," Kettmann said.

Some Canada Geese stay in Iowa year round.

"Winter is warmer lately, so they don't have a need to go as far south," Kettmann said. "As long as there's water and food available, they won't go any farther than they have to."

Others fly as far south as Texas, he said.

Kettmann doesn't watch the Canada Geese as to get a read on when winter is on its way.

He keeps his eye open for another bird.

"When red winged blackbirds are grouped up and leaving, that's a sign." Kettmann said, "Fall is coming."