Migrating geese take over Lake Babcock in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Neb. -- When people think of bird migration in Nebraska, they tend to think of sandhill cranes.

But a giant gaggle of migrating geese near Columbus might just change that perspective.

According to wildlife officials in Columbus, an estimated 3.5 million geese were spotted over Lake Babcock Monday afternoon.

The Nebraska Wildlife Association says geese swarm together in the spring and travel north, particularly toward ponds, aiming to get fish and other water-based food sources first for a hearty meal. They then travel back north to their regular habitats.

Wildlife officials said the geese tend to spread out as the year progresses.