Canadian geese flying back to Mexico...

I’ve noticed that Canadian geese seem to be migrating south much earlier this summer and was wondering if it was a seasonal sign, like perhaps these birds were predicting us an early winter. 

I’ve seen and heard the first returning flocks as early as the end of July and it has continued this week, all making short stopovers in Park City for rest and refueling, prior to continuing south. So the question becomes, can geese help us predict the kind of winter we’re likely to have? 

This would sound folksy and fun if they could. “Not so fast” says Jonatah Isacoff, environmental Studies Professor at Gonzaga University, “You can tell the seasons are changing, but you can't tell specifically if it's going to be a long winter or a short winter,”

Contrary to popular belief, Isacoff says, geese aren’t trying to get away from the cold when they migrate south. “The main reason is food,” adds Isacoff. “It's not as much cold. 

A lot of birds that migrate south can tolerate cold but they all need food. There’s no light in the winter, it's dark and even if there was food available any bird has to migrate south.” 

Most geese get their food from lakes and ponds. In places like Canada and Alaska, those sources of food can freeze early, leaving them no choice but to head south. Food, food, always food. 

That make me hungry and ready for breakfast!