Why so many geese?

Hundreds of geese appeared on the ice early this afternoon, but most
had flown off by 5 pm, lured by overhead flocks heading south.

Spring Lake residents can verify that the Canada Goose migration has been well-populated this year. But are the geese still migrating...or should we expect to share our backyards and lake with them this winter? Typically, peak migration occurs in September and October, when the geese relocate to a broad range of habitats. But if open water and food are available, many winter on northern territories, and many others don't migrate as far south in the winter as they once did. This northern range shift has been attributed to changes in farm practices that make waste grain more available in fall and winter, as well as changes in hunting pressure and changes in weather. December was unusually mild this year and there was no snow covering the waste grain in the fields. January, so far, is following suit. Is this the reason they're sticking around? Anyone know the answer?