On this mild, sunny, crystal-clear morning, we took a walk along the South Platte River in Littleton, Colorado. The usual mix of waterfowl and terrestrial birds were seen and a large, restless flock of Canada geese had settled on Cooley Lake.
Unlike our resident geese, which feast on our parks and golf courses and are rather tolerant of human activity, migrant flocks retain their skittish nature. After all, in the wilds of Canada, their survival depends upon their wariness and they are quick to take flight or move to open water when predators appear. And while our permanent residents often feed and move about in family groups or modest sized flocks, the migrants and winter visitors tend to retain their large congregations throughout the colder months.
According to the Colorado Division of Wildlife, approximately 150,000 Canada geese are permanent residents of the Front Range urban corridor. From November into March, an additional 300,000 Canadas arrive from the north, attracted by our cultivated fields, open parklands and numerous reservoirs. Today's flock gave notice that the annual influx has begun and reminded me that they, like other wild geese, can still stir the soul of man.
