Mission Highway Snow Geese

[Randy]

As I was driving up the Mission Highway today near Harris Road in Abbotsford, I came across a large flock of Cackling Geese with at least 50-100 snow geese mixed in. They were in and above a field east of the road.

I was actually quite surprised to see them in this location. I would have loved to have had time to stop and take a closer look at them.

[erik]

If you really want to watch them, come to Hatzic Lake (where they live for the winter months) and

wait for them to come back for the night. They see to be the last geese/swans/ducks to come home

so it's usually dark or dusk when they return. Since it's dark they fly very low. I imagine they can't find

any landmarks from up high, so they fly back at a very low altitude - sometimes at roof height. Of course,

they're honking all the way which I believe is their version of fog lights. These guys sound like a band of

brass instruments instead of swans. I love it most when they do their trombone impressions. It's just awesome

to listen to. Every once in awhile they'll fly over silently (did the spot an eagle?) and then it gets even better.

You can hear their large powerful wings beating the air sounding more like one of those huge slow moving

fans you sometimes see in movies usually inside a loft or an old warehouse. And then suddenly, there they are.

Usually so low I could almost touch them. Amazing nature is. If you love birds, and especially large ones,

come up to Hatzic Lake some evening around 4:00 to 5:00 for the swans coming back or anytime for eagles,

hawks, herons and even vultures.

[erik]

I have to apologize because I was describing the swans that live at Hatzic Lake during the winter. They're huge and fly quite low especially at dusk when they're coming back home to the lake for the night.