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

.

Meet Grumps the Male Mute Swan: Swan against Canada Geese

Mute Swan Versus Canada Geese

Grumps and the Canada Geese

"Grumps" Male Mute Swan

I am lucky enough to live a few minutes from part of the Leeds to Liverpool canal in West Yorkshire. A point called Micklethwaite Wharf opens up to green fields and this stretch of the canal is rich in wildlife. Of these the oldest inhabitant is a male mute swan. Apparently he has been nesting here, possibly for around 15-17 years. Last year he lost his mate to foxes but has found a new one this year. They successfully hatched seven cygnets which could be seen up and down this stretch of the canal until recently.

Swans are notoriously territorial, more so during the breeding season. That said, our male mute swan seems to take it to extreme and actually seems to derive great pleasure from clearing the canal of all other wildfowl. Of all the other wildlife there, the ones he hates most are the Canada geese. This year we have had six summer visitors, one a breeding pair who have produced seven goslings.

Here, I have managed to document one particular encounter between them. The swan stranded the adults and all the goslings on the bank at the workings for the swing bridge. One adult would lure his away, supposedly in the hope the other could get the goslings onto the field. Sure enough the swan would harry the escapee but would soon turn and go back to the others. The free adult appeared to keep trying to lure the swan away. It would just put a foot in the water and the swan would take off in his direction, unfortunately not for long enough for the other adult and the goslings to escape, so this went on for some time. Eventually the swan had had enough fun and moved off.

I think you will agree this picture of him, shows exactly what he thinks about it all.

IMAGE CREDITS: ALL the photographs here are by me, the author of this page, AnnMackieMiller - and copyright to me. They are deliberately in low resolution to prevent image theft - sorry.

Mute Swan and Canada Geese

Canada Geese stranded on land by aggressive mute swan

The tale of Grumps and the Canada Geese

The initial chase started way down the canal, in front of the old mill that is now flats, came under the swing bridge and the Canada geese with their babies managed to get out of the water and up onto a little triangle of land formed by part of the workings for the swing bridge. They were stranded there for quite a while with Grumps not letting them more on to the green field adjacent to it.

Adult Canada Goose With Goslings

Eventually the male Canada goose tried to lead the swan away to allow the female and goslings to get over to the field. He managed to gain the bank but the swan keep swimming between him and the female so she couldn't make a move. Every time the male put his feet in the water, obviously trying to draw the swan away, Grumps would go after him.

It took some time and another harrowing chase but eventually the whole family were reunited on land.

I found it amazing how fast Grumps could move, I couldn't keep up with him and I was running - OK not running fast but certainly a fast jog. I think this was the first time I really appreciated the sheer power of these big birds as he powered through the water.

PHOTO GALLERY 

MUTE SWAN, CANADA GEESE AND GOSLINGS

Canada Goose

Canada Geese Goslings

Mute Swan and Canada Geese

Canada Geese trying to escape Mute Swan

Mute Swan and Canada Goose

Female Canada Goose with Goslings

Mute Swan chasing Canada Goose

Mute Swan 'busking' Swan attack mode

Mute Swan chasing Canada Goose

Mute Swan chasing Canada Goose

Mute Swan and Canada Goose

Canada Geese escape Mute Swan 

Birdwatching along Bingley Canal

Along the canal - my 6 feathered families

'what ya doing?" white mallard duck by annmackiemiller

This page takes a look back at the "Fowl Tales", a collection of photo journals featuring British birds taken by me here in Yorkshire. I particularly love wildfowl. These are all photographs of my favourite families taken last year on a small stretch of the Leeds to Liverpool canal, near Bingley, West Yorkshire, England. This is also something of an anticipatory lens, I can't wait to see what I find to photograph every year.

Some people feel the need to travel to exotic locations to photograph birds, but there is plenty to see and learn around your own neighbourhood. All you need is a camera, a notebook and a willingness to venture out in all weathers. Personally, I love to be able to tell a story with my pictures and there is no better way to do that than by observing the birds day by day. I hope you enjoy sharing my journey.

6 Wildfowl Families Along Bingley Canal

There were several waterfowl families that captured my imagination last year.

In their pecking order:

• Grumps and Lady: mute swans who had seven cygnets
• The Canada Geese who had seven goslings
• Greenhill Geese: White domestic geese with only four goslings
• Mama Mallard: a golden-coloured mallard duck who produced 15 ducklings
• Smudge the white mallard duck
• Micklethwaite Moorhens: a mating pair of moorhens at Micklethwaite Wharf who produced two broods

Mute Swans

mute swans with cygnets by annmackiemiller

Two mute swans have been breeding at this site for many years. Lady is his second mate after his first mate was killed by foxes. Grumps is probably about 17 years old and definitely believes he rules the canal. He regularly chases everything off the canal, he seems to particularly hate the Canada Geese.

7 mute swan cygnets

'Lady' the mute swan with cygnets by annmackiemiller

Swans mate for life, Grumps' first mate died and this is his new love called Lady. They had seven cygnets.

Canada Geese

Canada Geese and Goslings by annmackiemiller
Parents keep watch as the goslings feed

 Of the six visiting Canada geese on our Greenhill, there was one mating pair. They produced seven goslings who all survived. They tend to be quite aggressive but can’t stand up to the mute swan. One day in particular Grumps kept them penned in on the wooden workings of the swing bridge.


The folk who own the flats alongside the canal were fortunate to have these little gardeners keeping the grass short.

'On the water' Adult Canada goose with goslings on water

'Keeping it together' Canada Geese Goslings

Greenhill Geese: Embden Geese

'That tickles!' Embden geese with goslings

We have a resident flock of geese who live on our Greenhill- actually it is four small flocks. They are mainly white domestic geese, combining Emden and Toulouse geese, a single China goose and some hybrids that have mated with greylag geese. The gaggle started as escapees from local allotments, now gone wild. At their most there were 70. Of these only four goslings were born last year: one to one family and three to another. What was interesting was that the three chicks were cared for by three geese, mother and father and a beta female.

'follow the butt'
Goslings and adult Embden goose on water

'keep off!' Adult Embden goose protecting young

Mallard Ducks

female mallard duck by annmackiemiller

Mama Mallard is a golden-coloured mallard duck who produced 15 ducklings last year. Included in the brood was one golden chick. There is a really high mortality rate among chicks so sadly only 5 survived to adulthood. I was delighted that the little yellow duckling grew up to be a beautiful little white duck.

mallard ducklings

yellow mallard duckling

mallard ducklings

Smudge the White Mallard Duck

Smudge, mate and ducklings

White mallard ducks are fairly common and Smudge is a white duck with a dark smudge on her head. She and her mate had an early brood which they both looked after but they abandoned after about 3-4 weeks old. Incidentally they were adopted by another mother.

It is unusual for mallards to have a single partner but Smudge is the exception. Her mate is recognisable because he lacks the usual white ring around his neck.

What was interesting was that a few weeks later Smudge inserted her way into another mallard brood and eventually both females looked after the two surviving ducklings.

mallard ducklings

Smudge and her ducklings by annmackiemiller

Micklethwaite Moorhens

moorhens and nest

This was a delightful family of moorhens to watch from nesting their first brood to caring for their second. Of the first brood had eight chicks. All grew into juveniles and then one chick appeared from a second brood. The juveniles and the adults all cared for the tiny bug-eyed chick. Sadly he didn’t survive.

This family build their nest out into the canal giving me a great chance to watch them over a prolonged period.

'in the nest' adult moorhen with chicks on the nest

'Feed me Feed me' Adult moorhen with chick

I've written about these families extensively over on hubpages - you can see the photo journals and others there - AnnMackieMiller on Hubpages.

Where to find photo journals on these families

Mute Swans	Canada Geese	Greenhill Geese	Mallard Ducks	Smudge the Little White Duck	Moorhens
Grumps Swan Pictures Busking	Canada Geese Goslings	Mating Behaviour China Goose The First Goslings Watching Goslings In Flight 3 in a Bed How Geese Nest The Goose Who Can Do Canoe Rolls	Ducklings Behaving Badly The First Ducklings	& the Fat Ball The Little White Duck	Watching Moorhens Nest Building Rebuilding the Nest The First Chicks Another Moorhen Nest

Pictures of Birds: Canada Geese

I love to make up little photo journals - this one  features Canada geese photographed just down from my home near the Leeds to Liverpool Canal. The birds are frequent visitor to the greenfield site at Greenhill. I've included a few facts about Canada geese that you might enjoy. 

Canada geese are slightly smaller than domestic geese and have a reputation of being rather aggressive. They are certainly very protective of their young. They are very attractive birds, having a distinctive black head and white chin strap.

Last year this family had seven goslings. It was fascinating to watch them grow very quickly from cuddly fluffy goslings to miniature versions of the adults. Like most geese, the adults keep close watch over the goslings and teach them all they need to know, including how to fly. They were a common sight running the Greenhill strengthening their wings. These particular geese are all-year residents locally but their instinct would be to have the young ready for a long migration flight before winter.

They also appeared to be enthusiastic gardeners of local lawns although I am unsure the residents appreciated the fertilizer.

Bird picture: Canada goose

Adult Canada goose 'It's all about reflections'

Source: pictures by wildlife photographer annmackiemiller

Bird pictures: Canada goose

Acrobatic Canada Goose "look! I can stand on one leg."

Source: annmackiemiller: copyright 2011

Canada goose "... plus - I can stand on one leg on a stone..."

Source: annmackiemiller

Canada goose "...in a bubbling brook!"

Source: annmackiemiller

Bird pictures: Canada Geese Goslings

Canada geese and goslings

Source: pictures by wildlife photographer by annmackiemiller

Canada goose gosling

Source: annmackiemiller

Canada goose and goslings

Source: annmackiemiller

Bird pictures: Young Canada Goose on Bingley Canal

Young Canada goose

Source: pictures by wildlife photographer annmackiemiller

Young Canada goose testing her wings.

Source: annmackiemiller

Information about Canada geese

Order: Anseriformes

Family: Anatidae

Species: Branta canedensis

Common name: Canada goose

Length: 35-43 inches

Wingspan: 5-6 feet

Weight: 9-11 lbs

Lifespan: 20-25 years

Bird pictures: Flight School Goose Style

Canada goose teaching young to fly

Source: annmackiemiller

Bird pictures by wildlife photographer AnnMackieMiller

Canada geese. These and more pictures feature on cards and gifts on zazzle. Follow the link to browse.

Source: bird pictures by annmackiemiller

• BIRDWATCHING UK | All About Birds: Pictures of Birds: Bird Behaviour
• Birdwatching Articles and Bird Photography by AnnMackieMiller: Published in 2011
  An index of bird articles and photo journal published in 2011.
• Birdwatching UK on Facebook
  Birdwatching UK on Facebook is a place where you can share your love of birds. You don't even have to be in the UK.
• 
  

Checking in on Sunday

I managed down to the canal on Friday but I haven't processed the photos yet - will do that soon.
But I also stopped on my way home last night near 10pm and that was interesting.  All the white geese were down at the canal as was Smudge with partner.  I read again how mallards don't keep the same mates year on year but these two are definately bonded.  No sign of babies though.  I don't know if she has abandoned them further up the canal.  I was also reading that isn't unsual with mallards as is adoption.  The same article talked about them laying eggs in other ducks nest too which I hadn't heard of before.

Also spotted for the first time in months - BOTH dark Blue Swedish ducks and the Splodged Swedish Duck together.  I really thought one had gone for good.  No sign of the youngsters at Greenhill last night but I did see them along at the boat yard on Friday and they look to be thriving.  I'm just about to write an article on them over on Hubpages.  (link when it is done)

Photography by AnnMackieMiller: copyright 2011
Aylesbury ducklings, Blue Swedish duckling and hybrid Blue  Swedish /Mallard duckling
about 4 weeks old

Also on Greenhill last night were TweddleDum and TweddleDee in company with the Swedish Brothers. On Friday the injured one was on its own and just sitting at the boat yard, but last night it looked a bit more mobile.  There is hope yet.

Just as I was leaving the three families of Canada Geese came down the canal and out to roost on Greenhill.  If we lose this site - well it will just be heartbreaking.