Re: Blackwater/Snow Geese

Dave Mozurkewich (dm@fornax.usno.navy.mil)
Fri, 20 Feb 1998 10:27:54 -0500 (EST)


Dan,

I said the Snow Geese were closer early in the day ON THAT DAY.  But this
varies a lot, apparently depending on the weather and the phase of the
moon. 

When the night is bright and the moon is full, geese often feed in the
fields at night.  During the day they are happy to sleep way out in the
bay where they are safe and hard to see.  Even if they are in close and
sleeping, they are hard to identify. 

When the night is dark, near new moon.  The birds sleep at night and feed
during the day.  I would guess next weekend, Feb 28, would be a good time
to try. 

I have never looked at this carefully, but I tend to get better views of
the geese in fields near new moon.  I also suspect cloud cover and storms
play a role. But I have so little data, I may be all wet on this. Anyone?

Dave

Seabrook MD USA
dm@fornax.usno.navy.mil

> On 18 Feb 1998 daniel.eberly@gsa.gov wrote:
>  
>      A question for Dave Mozurkewich (or anyone else).  You said the Snow 
>      Geese at Blackwater are closer earlier in the day.  Could you be more 
>      specific about the timing; and how routine is this pattern?  Thanks, 
>      Dan Eberly
>