Nov. 30 About 400 swans overhead yesterday and the day before, not very high (That means the guys aren't shooting at them, Good) and another large flock of Specks heading north. I think my neighbour is correct. They aren't leaving unless they are forced out.
The ducks are gone but not the geese. Maybe that's the way it has always been, why would a large bird spend all that energy to fly south if it didn't have to. With modern farming methods a lot of feed is dropped on the field by the combine and the geese are skilled at picking it up.
Water was always the rub for the birds, they needed open water and on the prairies there was not much of that. BTW coyotes will not wet a paw but they cross ice all the time and geese need a safe roost. If it is getting warmer, and it wouldn't have to be much, a lot more water will stay open and more birds will just stay all winter.
Any way that is now my working hypothesis. To those KS duck hunters, we sent you lots more birds than you are reporting, they must be down there someplace. Good hunting, if you want a big year, put Alberta or Saskatchewan on your bucket list.