We are still very early in the Snow Goose migration (mostly Greaters with a smaller number of Lessers), a time when figuring out what the birds are doing can be a challenge. Two days of checking the river between Iroquois and Morrisburg by various parties turned up virtually none, a surprise since this is where they often set down first, with a few thousand to 10,000 remaining for quite some time. That may yet change as birds move from place to place once they are established in the region. Observers heading further east, past South Lancaster, did report numerous migrant flocks flying high downriver and heading towards Quebec but until yesterday afternoon there were no birds down. Then, about 5,000 were spotted in fields east of Lancaster along Third Line Rd. Later in the afternoon a flock set down on the ice off Westleys Point, 5 km east of South Lancaster on the South Service Road. Once the ice breaks up, the shore ice shelf will be a major attraction for the geese. Later in the day, birds returning from feeding may concentrate there. Surprisingly, there was a large flock on the sod farm 35 minutes north of Cornwall on Hwy 138 at Hwy 417. I expected this later but the snow melt yesterday was substantial and in addition to corn stubble, the birds are attracted to short grass. A smaller flock was on Cty Rd. 34 south of Green Valley on the flood plain. Saturday will be a washout but Sunday may offer viewing opportunities. Brian Morin