Semi-annual snow goose migration is a sight to behold
These birds can fly for close to 1000 km without resting but need to stop in Canada's southern regions on the way to fuel their energy-intense activity
Spectacular footage from southern Quebec captured the moment thousands of snow geese took to the air to continue their semi-annual migration, a sure sign that spring has arrived.
This snow goose hot spot in Quebec is just a stopover during a 5000-km journey between their winter homes in the U.S. and Mexico and their summer home in the Arctic. They can also commonly be found on the Prairies in the shoulder seasons gathering in similarly massive, noisy flocks while taking a break from flying north.
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They can fly for close to 1000 km without resting but need to stop in Canada's southern regions on the way to fuel their energy-intense activity, often sticking around for a few weeks.
Why head to the Arctic? The long daylight hours allow for plenty of foraging of nutrient-rich vegetation, and open landscapes on the tundra mean that predators can be seen approaching. This creates superior conditions for raising their young and gives them an opportunity to moult, a period when they will be flightless and vulnerable. In late summer, they'll begin their journey south all over again to escape the frigid cold of the Artic.
This story was produced by Kevin Clarke for The Weather Network