Increased Overwintering of Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

There were increased interactions with Canada Goose that took place over the winter months when the birds are expected to migrate south.

Ruth Hansen wrote:

There were increased interactions with Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) that took place over the winter months when the birds are expected to migrate south. The overwintering Canada Goose population in the Calgary area were observed over the winter of 2017 and 2018, and it seemed larger than in previous years. Other residents in the area have confirmed similar experiences and observations.

Jessica Wood has also participated in birding walks with Birds Calgary and agrees that the winter population of Canada Goose appears to be growing. Birds Calgary, along with other private groups, conducts a bird count each year, including geese, in the winter. She noted that although there is a large amount of anecdotal evidence collected from these groups there is a much smaller amount of research conducted formally. Furthermore, the anecdotal evidence does not clearly distinguish the population of resident geese (birds that stay year round) from migrant geese and how these numbers may be changing. This may be valuable information to determine what may be causing the changes in the population.

Tom Okey wrote:

The first Canada Goose documented in Calgary during December-February on the eBird database was in 1981. This species has increased in abundance during winter every decade since that time, but especially during the present decade. It appears that this shift in overwintering of Canada Goose has not been described in the peer-reviewed literature. Such a contribution would be valuable.

Resources

Audubon Field Guide on Canada Goose

ECCC information on Population Change in Canada Goose.

eBird

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