Love or hate them, snow geese still come

Farmers hate them, but snow geese are a fascination to most people. It's not unusual to see motorists stopped along road shoulders to watch the geese as they land in local fields. I’m right there with them camera in hand.

Each winter, large flocks of snow geese migrate to the area from their Arctic breeding grounds – most from Greenland – to escape the bitter winter. Then each spring, most return north.

They do have a voracious appetite, which is their downfall. They feed on marsh and field grasses, clover and grains, digging up the roots as they eat. This is where the conflict between man and goose begins.

They spend daylight hours feeding on area farm fields and their nights in marshes and waters along the Delaware Bay coastline. Snow geese can sleep while floating on the water.

At one point, snow geese were an endangered species, which led to an explosion in population followed by renewed hunting seasons. In Delaware, the season typically runs through early February with a daily bag limit of 25 geese.

Watching geese break from their V-formation and land is an amazing sight. I’ve always wondered which goose in the flock decides where to go and when to land. It only takes one goose to land or take flight for hundreds or even thousands to follow.

Here are some facts about snow geese you may find surprising:

• There are an estimated 5 million of them, which is a 300 percent increase over the past 40 years, although scientists say the population is leveling off.

• A snow goose can fly 40 mph and up to 70 mph with a strong tailwind.

• Remarkably, with good weather and winds, a snow goose can cover up to 1,500 miles in one day.

• Most migrations range from 2,000 to 3,000 miles.

• The geese lay their eggs in March, April or May in the Arctic.

• The life expectancy of a goose is about eight years.

• Snow geese rank second to Canada geese in population.