This is a winter report from Japan’s goose migration at Kabukuri-numa in Miyagi Prefecture.
The video below shows scenes of the geese heading to roost as dusk approaches. The weather on this day was not very good, but the Greater White-fronted Geese and Cackling Geese were coming in from all directions. It was so moving to take it all in, with the calls and the sight of Geese in every direction.
The Roost of Thousands of Geese at Kabukuri-numa in the moonlit night 月夜・雁のねぐら入りの景色
The formation of the flocks of geese as they fly (skein), in Japanese is called Gankou [雁行（がんこう）]. And geese alighting together in Japanese is called Rakugan [落雁（らくがん）] … beautiful Japanese words that bring such imagery when they are mentioned, can be seen in this video as the geese fly in unison as they enter the roost. It is so elegant to watch as they flutter and slow down just as they land in the water.
Video & Text: Mariko SAWADA
Observation: End of November, Kabukuri-numa, Miyagi
Special Thanks: Hobby’s World, Mr.Yoshinari TOSHITAKE
