silly gooses

Canada Geese Branta canadensis occasionally visit the pond, but we discourage them from gathering here.  This is a small community pond and not able to support a flock of geese.

This pair has been hanging around for a week, honking at the ducks. This morning they decided to stand on the roof to get a better view. We love seeing the goslings (see 6/10/2021 goslings), but geese in large numbers can be pests.

 

goslings

A Canada Goose family had lunch on the pond today. The adults, one in front and one behind, led the 5 young goslings to find food.  The young are able to feed the first day they hatch out of their eggs, and eat the same as adult gooses - - green vegetation and grains, small insects and fish.  Like many water birds, Canada Goose Branta canadensis are susceptible to the dangers that humans have created, like this plastic netting caught in the beak of one gosling.

On closer look, one of the young geese struggled with a piece of plastic netting caught in the hinge of its bill.  The gosling was able to keep up with the others but we wonder about its future health. 

geese in early Spring