Winter Waterfowl in Pennsylvania

Migration and the reasons for this incredible investment of energy is an ongoing source of questions and research for avian ecologists. Clearly, there are benefits to movement in response to available food sources, especially when a species is dependent upon insects or other sources not available year-round in cold climates. However, some birds move north from wintering grounds that in summer would supply abundant food. A few possible reasons are to limit exposure to high densities of nest predators and parasites and to take advantage of longer days for breeding.

The Canada Goose ( Branta canadensis ) pictured today, migrates along discrete flyways across North America. Those using the Atlantic flyway head toward the Chesapeake Bay and its associated wetlands and tributaries. Huge numbers of geese, Canada and others, overwinter here before heading north in the early spring to breed. However, many Canada Geese remain as year-round residents and are able to survive by foraging in and around open water as well as on agricultural fields and suburban lawns and parks.

Today's photo, by WPC Daily Contributing Photographer Damon Perrott, is of a Canada Goose, a regular year-round resident of our region.

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