Your final sentence is an objective truth. But...
I’d merely suggest that: (1) Always consider the possibility that the non-goose is, for example, suffering 180 degree confusion. Just because s/he says s/he’s northwest does not make it so. (2) Don’t make the (natural) mistake of assuming that there’s no other traffic.
The Big Sky and the shallow pockets of air operators is why there is no D at places like Port Hedland and Mildura.