I was up in Own Sound on the morning of March 11th, and I saw what I think to either be a lesser Canada or cackling goose sitting on a pond.  This is a relatively rare occurrence, as we do not usually get these smaller subspecies in this part of the province.  There has also been significant number of high flying, larger migrant Canadas that have been flying north.  There is some flooded fields to the west of Barrie, and there was at least 500 Canadas and a few ducks feeding in the fields.  It was a welcome sight, as I haven’t seen many geese in several months.  It must mean that spring is coming!

- Michael Evers

The prairies of Canada are enjoying above normal temperatures which has fast tracked the waterfowl migration north. Large numbers of Canada geese arrived at Oak Hammock Marsh on Sunday, March 11^th. While the arrival date of the first Canada goose is right on schedule, what is surprising is sheer number of geese that are arriving! With the warm temperatures the snowpack is going very quickly, which is raising concerns for farmers and waterfowlers about the potential drought-like conditions this year on the prairies. Going into winter, the prairies were very dry. During the winter we also received significantly  less snow fall. Time will only tell if a spring rain or snow fall will help recharge the dry potholes of prairies.

- Chris Benson

It has been an unusually warm winter in Southern Ontario, and many areas around Lake Erie and Lake Ontario have groups of Canada geese that have overwintered here since the water has stayed open. At a local pond in Barrie, there are large number of ducks that spend the winter there every year. There were around 200 mallards and maybe 50 to 75 black ducks last time I was there.  I was very surprised to see so many black ducks. There was also one drake wood duck mixed in among the big ducks.

- Michael Evers

The coming forecast for the Canadian prairies is for colder weather and snow. For areas that still have open water that are holding birds this colder weather should ice those lakes and wetlands over and push the birds south. If there are any hardy hunters left looking for birds on the prairies, the next couple days might be your last chance to get a chance at them.

- Chris Benson

Southern Manitoba was hit with its first taste of winter this past Sunday night. Winds are supposed to turn northerly and the temps are supposed to drop overnight. This should push a good deal of birds south, but the season isn’t over just yet! The bigger lakes are still open and holding birds. For those of you that are south, expect some movement from the prairies. For those hardy Canadian hunters that aren’t deer hunting, the birds are in prime condition and competition is  almost non-existent.

- Chris Benson