Hunting for goose, duck and woodcock in spring: migration routes and important features

Many wild birds (including ducks, geese, cranes) are migratory. They spend the warm season in the north, and with the onset of cold weather they move to the southern regions. Many people learned about where geese and ducks winter in school. The wintering place is not chosen by birds by chance. They know their destination very well, gather in flocks, and the flight is completed in the shortest possible time and with minimal losses.

What migratory birds fly in a wedge formation?

Wedge formation is used by cranes, geese and many other bird species to ease tedious long-distance flights. When the leader of a flock of birds flaps his wing downwards, an upward jet forms behind him.

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Flight Features

Preparations for departure begin in the spring. At the end of June - mid-July, adult birds molt. They climb deep into the reeds, where they try to be less noticeable to predators. At the end of August, the molting ends, and the wings of the young animals become stronger, which serves as the first signal for the upcoming migration.

Geese ready to travel form flocks of tens to hundreds of individuals. Departure time depends on the place where the birds spent the summer. Thus, geese fly away from the northern regions of Russia in mid-September, but inhabitants of mid-latitudes may delay their flight until October and even November. Birds rarely stay for the winter; this behavior is considered abnormal and is associated with climate change.

Birds fly in a line or wedge, rise to considerable heights and can cover enormous distances. The flight takes place during the daytime. Wild geese spend the night on the surface of the reservoir, resting and replenishing their strength with food. During the rest period, small flocks unite, but after its completion they break up and fly separately.

During the flight, weak birds may die, but the percentage of those who reached the final goal is still quite large.

Satellite data

Modern technologies make it possible to monitor the migration of geese in real time. Bird tracking using GPS navigation has been carried out by many organizations around the world for several years. The most comprehensive and successful project tracks the migrations of geese wintering in Western Europe. The German website blessgans.de provides its visitors with the opportunity to monitor goose migration through the traditional Google Earth service.

Some geese wintering in Western Europe fly north of Belarus in the spring. One of the main spring gathering places for geese migrating through this region is the Neman River delta. Next, the birds fly to nesting sites located in the tundra of the European North of Russia.

But some can travel much further.

Another part of the geese flies through Belarus in the spring. We can say that she is less fortunate, because in the spring our birds do not receive a warm welcome at all.

Flight Features

Preparations for departure begin in the spring. At the end of June - mid-July, adult birds molt. They climb deep into the reeds, where they try to be less noticeable to predators. At the end of August, the molting ends, and the wings of the young animals become stronger, which serves as the first signal for the upcoming migration.

Geese ready to travel form flocks of tens to hundreds of individuals. Departure time depends on the place where the birds spent the summer. Thus, geese fly away from the northern regions of Russia in mid-September, but inhabitants of mid-latitudes may delay their flight until October and even November. Birds rarely stay for the winter; this behavior is considered abnormal and is associated with climate change.

Birds fly in a line or wedge, rise to considerable heights and can cover enormous distances. The flight takes place during the daytime. Wild geese spend the night on the surface of the reservoir, resting and replenishing their strength with food. During the rest period, small flocks unite, but after its completion they break up and fly separately.

During the flight, weak birds may die, but the percentage of those who reached the final goal is still quite large.

Why do you need flights?

Scientists, trying to establish why geese fly away for the winter, agreed that the reasons are as follows:

1. Lack of food: due to the onset of cold weather, plant food necessary for natural survival disappears.
2. Freezing of water bodies: geese are waterfowl, although they spend less time in the water compared to ducks or swans, for example. However, the constant absence of a reservoir for wild birds of this breed will be unacceptable.

In support of these arguments, one can cite the opposite example associated with the Nile goose, which lives in a warm climate with a sufficient amount of plant food. This species does not need to migrate, because it is provided with everything it needs all year round.

And lastly, information from our Bird Banding Center

We currently have information from more than two hundred ringed birds. The average age of white-fronted geese harvested is more than three years (1046 days). The maximum age recorded from banding data is over 22 years. However, given the fact that the adult bird was ringed, its age was at least 24 years.

Based on the information received from ringed birds, it can be stated that the main wintering grounds of white-fronted geese migrating through Belarus are in Western Europe (the Netherlands, Germany, England). In 139 of 143 cases they were ringed in the Netherlands.

Information from the places where birds flying through the territory of Belarus nest is scarce, but according to available data, it can be said that the nesting area of ​​white-fronted geese extends from the White Sea coast to at least Taimyr.

Summary

Geese are nomadic birds. A sharp drop in air temperature is a serious reason for moving them to regions with a milder climate. Powerful wings and a durable body allow them to make long, sometimes non-stop flights.

Mandatory conditions for a wintering site are the presence of a body of water (rivers, lakes or seas) that is rich in food and does not freeze for the winter. In search of wintering grounds, birds overcome endless steppes and oceans.

Preparation for departure begins after the completion of molting and the chicks fledging. The first duck wedges appear over the lake or river surface in September-October. When saying goodbye to the lands that shelter them, the birds make loud sounds, so even people uninitiated in the secrets of their wintering grounds know that they are flying away.

This wild goose belongs to the waterfowl of the Anatidae family. It got its name due to its color, which makes it similar to domestic geese. Among all varieties of geese, it is considered the largest bird: its body length reaches 90 cm, its weight ranges from 3 to 5 kg, and sometimes, under good conditions, can reach 6.5 kilograms. The gray goose can be classified as a long-livers, as there are known cases when in captivity a representative of this species lived up to 80 years.

Its plumage has a light gray color, the same in females and males; above and below the tail it turns white. There are black spots on the front of the belly and on the chest, the beak is flesh-colored, and the paws are bright pink. The main habitats of the gray goose are the Black Sea and Caspian coasts, the forests of Europe and the south of Siberia. In Belarus, they nest only in the floodplain of the Pripyat River and in the Vitebsk region; in other regions of the country they can only be seen during spring and autumn migrations to wintering grounds and back. Geese fly away for the winter in October, returning back in April, while the geography of the wintering areas of the greylag goose is very extensive; their flocks can be found on the African and European coasts of the seas, on the islands of Great Britain, in China, India, and a number of Arab countries. Flying long distances, they often stop to rest, where they can linger for a while to feed. The resting places for geese are floodplains and reservoirs located near winter fields and other farmland where food is available. At the feeding grounds, geese strictly adhere to a daily routine: in the morning, before sunrise, they take off from their roosting areas and go to the feeding area. These could be last year's fields of peas or corn, fields sown with winter crops, geese especially love fields where there are large puddles, they can be there all day. If there is no water in the field, then by midday they return to the pond to drink and clean their feathers. Towards evening they return to their feeding place again. After sunset, the geese fly to the pond for the night. During nesting, geese feed mainly on aquatic vegetation, removing its soft stems and roots from under the water.

Data

It is obvious that geese cover very long distances when they fly. This is confirmed by a recorded fact: a flight covering a distance of up to ten thousand kilometers.

To understand at what altitude they usually fly, we need to look at the facts again. The record height was recorded at more than eleven thousand meters during the flight of bar-headed geese across the Himalayas. Geese, when they fly, are usually accustomed to a height of eight meters, since at such a distance from the earth's surface the density of the atmosphere is less and the oxygen in it is rarefied. The peculiarity of migratory birds is precisely to obtain the energy necessary for flight from rarefied atmospheric air. The weather also affects the flight altitude. It has been noticed that during bad weather, flocks of geese fly much lower than when it is clear.

How fast do these beautiful birds move? It is known that geese usually fly at very high speeds - up to eighty kilometers per hour.

These birds sometimes spend up to ninety hours without rest. For example, white geese, when migrating, fly, covering a distance of about three thousand kilometers in sixty hours, that is, in a day they can cover a distance of about five hundred kilometers. It’s hard to even imagine what unique properties of the body they must have!

Where do ducks and geese from Russia winter?

Transcaucasia, the southern tip of the Caspian Sea, the coast of the Azov, Baltic and Mediterranean seas, Asia Minor, Iran, India, the lower reaches of the Danube and even Great Britain are places where geese fly from different parts of Russia. The choice of location depends on:

• the degree of its remoteness from the main habitat region;
• presence of a warm climate;
• abundance of water and food sources.

Thus, some ducks spend the winter in Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan. Large concentrations of waterfowl are observed from year to year on the famous Lake Issyk-Kul, as well as in the Black Sea basin.

When going for the winter, birds choose a place that is most similar to where they spent the summer. The opinion that all representatives of the bird family fly exclusively to southern countries is erroneous. The choice of route is determined by living conditions and the availability of food supply. So, if, flying over a body of water not covered with ice, the birds find it suitable for wintering, then nothing will prevent them from descending and spending the cold season here. This behavior explains the unexpected appearance of ducks in regions with a fairly harsh climate.

Summary

Geese are nomadic birds. A sharp drop in air temperature is a serious reason for moving them to regions with a milder climate. Powerful wings and a durable body allow them to make long, sometimes non-stop flights.

Mandatory conditions for a wintering site are the presence of a body of water (rivers, lakes or seas) that is rich in food and does not freeze for the winter. In search of wintering grounds, birds overcome endless steppes and oceans.

Preparation for departure begins after the completion of molting and the chicks fledging. The first duck wedges appear over the lake or river surface in September-October. When saying goodbye to the lands that shelter them, the birds make loud sounds, so even people uninitiated in the secrets of their wintering grounds know that they are flying away.

In autumn, flocks of birds flock to warmer regions. You can judge from them when autumn ends. Geese become such messengers, since they are among the last to fly away. When geese fly, returning to their homeland, they foretell the onset of the warmth of spring.

Habitat

Even before the onset of cold weather, birds gather in flocks and prepare for a long flight. Watching flocks of geese in flight, comparing their species, where they live in the summer and where they fly to spend the winter, one can trace the following trend:

Where do swans fly to winter?

Depending on their nesting area, swans fly south or stay for the winter. Migratory populations include populations nesting in the countries of Northern Europe and the Baltic, in Russia, and in the central regions of China. For the winter, birds fly to the shores of the Black and Caspian Seas, to the south of Turkey and Greece, to the islands of the Pacific Ocean.

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Flight limitations

Speaking about how wild geese fly, it is impossible not to mention that even this natural ability has some limitations:

• Despite the fact that birds spend most of their time on land, they also feel great in water, but it is difficult for them to take off from its surface, since they need a short run before flying.
• The ability to fly is lost when the feathers begin to molt, which lasts about six weeks. During this period, on average, 20 days the geese do not fly at all and try to hide in quiet, remote places. This period happens twice a year.
• During the day, geese prefer to rest; the best time to fly is at night.
• Males fly less during the period when they need to protect females hatching goslings.

Goose

The wild goose is a subspecies of the wild goose that belongs to the category of waterfowl. Geese are very similar in appearance to geese, but are smaller in size. Their beak is shorter, short legs are predominantly black. The feathers are predominantly dark in color: brown or black. Birds cannot cackle. Their cry is similar to the barking of a dog. The number of their species is also numerous.

There are several subspecies of geese, which will be discussed below.

Canadian

This is the most famous goose, breeding in Canada and Alaska, it is called the North American goose. The size and plumage are different for each of the twelve subspecies, which live in different habitats. The maximum number of birds lives in the Arctic to the northern borders of the United States.

This species of goose, sometimes called the American goose

Geese are found in small numbers in the north of Great Britain and Scandinavia. The color is grayish-brown, the chest is snow-white, the neck and head are dark. This species is distinguished by white spots on the cheeks and a milky stripe on the tail. It is often kept in captivity.

Reasonable Details

Geese typically fly in a wedge or line, depending on the breed. This is not at all accidental. Research conducted by scientists has made it clear that the flapping of a goose's wings helps its comrades flying nearby gain the required altitude. With this method of wave turbulence and formation, the entire flock flies much faster. In human society, this approach can be compared to the fact that a team striving for a common goal also achieves it faster and more efficiently. By the way, the aviation inventions of airplanes by the Wright brothers were made precisely as a result of observing how geese flew in flocks.

A single gander experiences strong resistance from the air mass, making it harder for him to fly. The lifting power of the flock once again proves how well it is to stick together.

The rationality of the structure of the flock also lies in the fact that the tired leader immediately moves to complete the school, yielding command to another goose, or more precisely to the goose, because most often the female leads the flock. The burden of labor is distributed evenly.

The geese encourage the leader with their screams, not allowing them to slow down. If for some reason one of the flock members is unable to continue the journey, two more geese remain with him for support. As soon as the comrade gets stronger, they will continue the journey with another flock, or, having gained strength, they will catch up with their own. If a sick goose dies, its companions remain with it until the end, setting off only when support is no longer required.

If people could treat each other so intelligently and adopt the characteristics of goose flight, perhaps this would facilitate human efforts and provide greater results.

conclusions

In principle, the new data has not changed much in our understanding of the spring migration routes of white-fronted geese. Its general direction on the territory of our country is eastern and northeastern. Part of the white-fronted goose population is characterized by a loop-like migration: in the spring from Western Europe they first fly east, and in the central regions of Russia and Northern Kazakhstan they turn north. In autumn, these birds return to their wintering grounds by the shortest route along the Baltic Sea coast, only partially touching Belarus.

Where do ducks and geese from Russia winter?

Transcaucasia, the southern tip of the Caspian Sea, the coast of the Azov, Baltic and Mediterranean seas, Asia Minor, Iran, India, the lower reaches of the Danube and even Great Britain are places where geese fly from different parts of Russia. The choice of location depends on:

• the degree of its remoteness from the main habitat region;
• presence of a warm climate;
• abundance of water and food sources.

Thus, some ducks spend the winter in Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan. Large concentrations of waterfowl are observed from year to year on the famous Lake Issyk-Kul, as well as in the Black Sea basin.

When going for the winter, birds choose a place that is most similar to where they spent the summer. The opinion that all representatives of the bird family fly exclusively to southern countries is erroneous. The choice of route is determined by living conditions and the availability of food supply. So, if, flying over a body of water not covered with ice, the birds find it suitable for wintering, then nothing will prevent them from descending and spending the cold season here. This behavior explains the unexpected appearance of ducks in regions with a fairly harsh climate.

Types of Migration

Seasonal migration of birds is a way to survive the winter cold and lack of food. Ornithologists distinguish three types of such temporary migration of birds:

1. The first type of bird migration is associated with the birth of offspring. As soon as the ducklings hatched from the shell grow up and get a little stronger, the birds gather in flocks and fly away. Moreover, the first group of “migrants” consists of wild drakes. Next come the chicks, and then the ducks.
2. The timing of the second migration is associated with seasonal molting and the appearance of new feathers. Birds spend this period in the transit (transition) zone. For example, ducks wintering in the Mediterranean wait out the molting time on the banks of the Volga.
3. The last type is associated with the return of birds to their homeland , where the summer season takes place and a new generation is born. At the end of this period, the ducks gather in flocks again and fly south for the winter.

How to keep ducks in winter

Not all wild geese are migratory. Some representatives of the duck family lead a sedentary life and, with the onset of cold weather, remain in the same place. These birds are forced to get used to and adapt to the harsh climate.

Duck breeding is common in modern livestock farming. Domesticated birds are unpretentious and do not require large maintenance costs. Ducks living on the farm winter there without flying anywhere. During the cold season, the owner takes care of the charges.

Despite the unpretentiousness of domestic birds, it is still recommended to comply with a number of requirements when keeping ducks in winter:

• The main condition is to maintain cleanliness in the barn . It is necessary to regularly clean the premises, wash feeders and drinking bowls.
• It is necessary to regularly ventilate the place where pets are kept, while avoiding drafts.
• The required temperature should , not allowing it to drop to –5℃.
• It is recommended to include wet food in the diet of ducks in winter. You can add grain to dry mixtures. And, of course, during this period it is necessary to provide pets with vitamins and minerals.
• If your domestic duck starts laying eggs in winter, then you should stop walking in the early hours. Birds tend to lay flight at night or early in the morning. Because of this, the female can leave her eggs right on the street.
• During the period when the duck is laying eggs, you should not scare it by suddenly and noisily entering the barn. This may affect your pet's productivity. Some farmers advise leaving low lighting at night.

Domestic relatives

There are different opinions about whether domestic geese fly or not. Some people believe that this breed is specially raised and fattened so that it cannot fly at all. Others argue that it’s just a matter of lack of training for flying. Both sides are partially right, since due to changes in lifestyle, the new generation is gradually erasing, even at the genetic level, those abilities that they do not use. Domestic geese receive more food; their bodies are not as volatile due to the weight of their bodies.

Nevertheless, domestic geese, although not so high and far, still fly, and can even fly away from home, as in the fairy tale about Nils’s journey with the geese. Therefore, poultry farmers usually trim the feathers of their pets, which are responsible for keeping the bird in the air at a certain height.

Advice: you should trim the feathers only of adult geese that have previously experienced molting three times.