Ducks Unlimited - Ghost Images Photography

Ghost Images Photography > Ducks Unlimited

Ducks Unlimited once again met at the AEP's I&M Rockport Plant to count and band Geese. Though the weather was not as nice as they would have liked it did clear so they could complete their task. Two Agents with the Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources lead the group in containing the geese so those already banded could be counted and those not banded could have their numbered metal bands applied to one of their ankles. This year approx. 16 geese had been previously tagged and 70+ new ones were sexed, identified and banded.

I learned that for approximately two weeks each year, usually in June these waterfowl lose some feathers and are unable to fly. These are called their flight feathers. It is during this time that this roundup happens. Many of these birds have already grown back their flight feathers and were able to fly and escape the process. According to the DNR Agent, more than 120,000 new geese are born each year and the average life expectancy can be 15+ years, unless attacked by predators or killed by hunters, most do not die of old age.