This week's western Pennsylvania waterfowl migration report from the Avery Outdoors Pro-Staff:
Pro-Staff member: David Rearick
Date: Dec. 8
Location: Linesville
Weather: Cold switching to warmer and rain the last couple days. Some of the ice has begun to melt and create open water.
Snow cover: None currently, except in the north there are still some areas with a small amount remaining.
Water conditions: The ice is starting to clear, but still a lot of bodies of water are locked up tight.
Feeding conditions: Good, lots of water in the fields and lots of crops are cut.
Species and numbers: Good numbers of geese but (many fewer) ducks than normal for this time of year.
Migrations: When the weather hit lots of birds pushed in but many of them left as the weather got worse and open water was very limited.
Season stage: Closed in many areas.
Hunting report: With most of the seasons closed and deer season in full swing there hasn’t been much going on to date.
Gossip: With the weather change people are looking up for the next opener, but the forecast is bleak and seems to be calling for more cold and ice, potentially putting a major hurt on the late season.
Pro-Staff member: Erik Nilsson
Date: Dec. 6
Location: Pittsburgh
Weather: Temperature 15 degrees, WNW wind 12 mph
Snow Cover: 1-3 inches.
Water conditions: Shore ice, ponds frozen over.
Feeding conditions: None.
Species and numbers: None.
Migrations: Saw several flocks of swans still in migration, noted Canada Geese as well.
Season stage: RP goose closed, South Zone open for ducks.
Hunting report: Our goose season is closed right now, no migrants in the area that I have seen, local birds seem to be spotty. No new migrations of ducks
Gossip: Most hunters are after deer right now but getting ready for the goose opener Dec. 22.