№ 168 № 16813 Jan 2026
Sounds That Scare Geese: What Works and What Doesn't
Predator distress calls and dog barks scare geese; ultrasonics and most static noises don't. A naturalist's read of the deterrents that hold up in the field.
The Journal · Page 11 of 24
Field notes,
Field notes,
page 11.
Continuing the archive: slow essays and observations from marshes, mangroves, and pondsides around the world.
288essays archived
11of 24 pages
weeklynew notes
All dispatches
№ 168 № 16713 Jan 2026
Swan Symbolism: What the Bird Has Meant for 3,000 Years
From the Greek myth of Leda to Yeats to the silver swans on the Queen's River - a literary naturalist's read on what the swan has actually stood for through history.
№ 167 
№ 166 № 16612 Jan 2026
How Long Do Geese Live? Wild vs Domestic Lifespan
A naturalist's read on goose lifespan - the honest numbers for wild Canada geese (10-12 years average, 24+ for an exceptional survivor), the longer life of domestic breeds, and what kills geese in the wild.
№ 16512 Jan 2026
How to Keep Squirrels Out of an Owl Nest Box
The five things that actually keep squirrels out of an owl nest box - pole choice, baffle type, height, entrance hole, and timing. A field guide for backyard owl-watchers, with the products we use.
№ 165 
№ 164 № 16412 Jan 2026
How to Make Ducks Like You
Ducks bond with calm, low-postured humans who feed the right food. A naturalist's read on building trust with wild or backyard birds.
№ 16311 Jan 2026
Ducks' Feet: How Webbed Feet Actually Work
A duck's foot is a paddle, a brake, a thermal regulator, and a rudder. A naturalist's read of the anatomy and why it works in cold water.
№ 163 
№ 162 № 16211 Jan 2026
How Far Can Geese Fly in a Day? The Numbers Behind the V
A naturalist's answer to a question with a deceptively boring textbook reply - how far can a Canada goose actually fly in 24 hours? The honest range, what the V-formation does, and why flights of 1,500 miles in a day are real.
№ 16111 Jan 2026
How Long Can Ducks Stay Underwater?
Most diving ducks stay under for 10-30 seconds. Long-tailed Ducks hit 60+. A naturalist's read on dive times by species and the limits of the lung-air system.
№ 161 
№ 160 № 16010 Jan 2026
Do Swans Quack? No - Here's What They Actually Sound Like
A naturalist's guide to the actual sounds of swans - hiss, hum, snort, trumpet, whistle - and which species makes which. Spoiler: the 'mute' swan is anything but.
№ 15910 Jan 2026
Do Swans Swim in the Ocean? Rarely, And Reluctantly
Swans can swim in salt water and have salt glands to handle it - but they prefer fresh and stay close to shore. A naturalist's read on coastal swan ecology.
№ 159 
№ 158 № 15810 Jan 2026
Duck Predators: What Hunts Them and How to Stop It
The thirteen animals that hunt wild and domestic ducks - ranked by where they hunt (water, air, ground) - and the eight protections that actually work. A field naturalist's guide for pond owners and small-flock keepers.
№ 1579 Jan 2026
Do Swans Carry Babies on Their Back? Yes - Here's Why
Mute Swan cygnets do ride on their parent's back, and there's a specific reason for it. A naturalist's read on why, when, and which swan species does it most.
№ 157