Geese

[coccinelle]

Yesterday, when I was in the garden (it had just started to rain) I heard a flock of geese up in the sky. What was so strange is that there were two lots of geese in a V formation and they didn't seem to know in what direction they were supposed to be going in and went round and round in large circles but kept to their V formations and gradually moved over westwards still moving in circles. I've never seen this before, is that usual?

[seadogg]

I have noticed that large flocks or skeins will often split into more than one V but the circling is interesting. Do you think they could be looking for a feeding spot?

[seadogg]

Wonder if they were looking for thermals in order to gain height.

[wildwood]

You got it with your first one seadogg. They're looking for feeding grounds. Geese don't use thermals as a rule.

[seadogg]

Thanks wildwood. We live on the coast and they are usually en route.

[coccinelle]

Thank you so that explains it. What are thermals by the way??

[heathfield]

Thermals. are...

1) Insulating underwear.
2) Currents of rising warm air.

[wildwood]

Thermals are rising columns of warm air that assist birds to rise with almost no flapping so saving energy. These birds typically keep the longest few flight feathers separate in flight to break up the drag.

[seadogg]

Some areas of land become warmer from the sun's radiation than others and the air becomes warmer above them. Hot air rises of course, so a bird or glider can use the rising air currents to gain height. You can spot them on a summer's day by the cumulus clouds above the thermals.

[coccinelle]

Well I didn't know that's what they were called. We learn something new everyday...