Waterfowl migration report for week of Nov. 8, provided weekly to the Erie Times-News by the Avery Outdoors Pro-Staff:
Pro-Staff member: Erik Nilsson
Date: Nov. 8 (report filed before this week's snow)
Location: Erie
Weather: Temps have been averaging low 30’s and mid 40’s for the highs. Slight drizzle with plenty of cloud cover. Winds were from the SW at a steady 12 mph.
Water conditions: Open
Feeding conditions: Open water
Species and numbers: Divers, including Bluebills, Redheads, Ruddy ducks and Buffleheads
Migrations: A fast approaching cold front from the Northwest has lake effect snow in the forecast pushing new birds in the area.
Season stage: Oct. 27–Jan. 3
Hunting report: I saw a good number of divers in the area, prior to the cold front numbers have been low in the area. Hunting from a blind offers good potential for hunter success.
Gossip: Speaking with other hunters, success has been spotty. No real number of birds have shown up yet.
Pro-Staff member: David Rearick
Date: Nov. 12
Location: Washington, Pa.
Weather: Weather has gotten much colder with occasional showers and snow.
Snow cover: Snow is falling but not sticking to the ground for very long.
Water conditions: Good, the rain has brought water levels up some, but we are still well below average.
Feeding conditions: Lots of cut corn with very little standing corn remaining. From what I am seeing in the fields, there is plenty to go around.
Species and numbers: Decent numbers of geese and some puddle duck/divers are in the area.
Migrations: Some new ducks have moved in but not many to speak of. Geese are beginning to hit their wintering grounds daily, and the swans are moving through.
Season stage: Mid Season
Hunting report: The season is out in the South zone, but up North they are picking away at a few.
Gossip: The season comes back in on Saturday and the emotions are mixed with hunters about what to do or if they should even go. Scouting has begun and things are looking up for our group come Saturday.