Canada Geese and Goslings

Canada Geese and Goslings

Canada Geese with 4 goslings

Early in April 2011 a pair of Canada geese were seen mating on Bingley canal. The female duly made her nest on the bank and laid eggs. She was very well hidden although the nest was very close to the water and often all that could be seen was the top of her black head. If you didn't know to look, you would never have seen her. What gave away the location of the nest was the patrolling presence of the male on the canal. He never left, keeping careful watch and chasing away all and sundry. The only one they has trouble with is Grumps the mute swan who thinks he is king. This is a photo diary of the story of a Canada goose's nest and the arrival of goslings

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Nesting Canada Geese

nesting female Canada Goose

Canada geese are average sized birds with slender black head and neck and white cheek patches. We have several Canada geese along our canal here but only one mating pair. Last year they produced seven (7) gosling who all survived and who gave great pleasure to all as we watched them grow, even watching their flight lessons.

This year, the pair once again mated. These pictures show them in a courtship display which involves much stretching out of long necks, much the same as when they are in aggressive pose. Later, they made their way to the bank where the female started to build her nest. In geese families, only the female builds and sits on the nest.

These particular geese don't actually migrate but they still teach the young how to fly in preparation. You can visit their flight school on my article Saving Greenhill One Photo at a Time.

'Chased' Canada Geese and Goslings take to the water

When I visited the site on 12th May, it was to find the nest empty with no sign of the geese. A walk further along the canal tow path found them on the greenfield site known locally as Greenhill. The female clearly had goslings under her wing and the male was standing proud guard. It might have been a long wait to view the new goslings except for the visit of a cow! This blundering beast was clearly nosy and his presence chased the pair and their four (4) goslings into the canal.

Facts about Canada Geese:

Adult Canada Geese In Attack Mode

• If you like all the scientific stuff - here you go.
• Order: Anseriformes
• Family: Anatidae
• Species: Branta canadensis
• Common name: Canada Goose
• Length: 35-43 inches
• Wignspan: 5-6 feet
• Weight: 9-12 lbs
• Lifespan: 20-25 years
• Commonly seen in UK

Photo Gallery

brooding female Canada Goose

Dad standing guard

Canada Geese goslings

Canada Geese goslings

Canada Geese goslings

Canada Geese goslings

Adult Canada Goose with chicks

Adult Canada goose with goslings

Adult Canada goose with goslings

Canada Geese Chicks

Adult Canada goose with goslings

Canada geese gosling

Canada geese goslings

Canada geese gosling

Canada geese goslings

Male and Female adult Canada Geese

Update 2014

These little guys survived into adulthood and continue to call Greenhill their home. We have a growing flock of Canada geese here during the breeding season.

A few miles inland is an estate with a lake that is home to a controlled flock of Canada geese. When eggs are laid there, the wardens coat them with oil so they will not hatch to control the population.

We have noticed some of the geese come down to the canal here to breed instead. Who says they are not clever?