1975                 MOSTLY GEESE

 

I do not suppose there is anything that is more widely watched and talked about in the spring and fall than the migration flights of the wild geese. There are many more and perhaps larger flocks in the fall. The fall flights, while we are pleased to see them, have a sad tone for it means that the cold weather is on the way. On the other hand, the spring flights mean that winter has gone for another year and we can look forward to warmer weather and the pleasant days of summer.  The Canada geese are most common. In both spring and fall they drop down for a rest, mostly on lakes but at times in fields. If they are not bothered they will return to that spot as they seem to know where they will be safe. It is not unusual for one goose to get tired and drop out of the flock. Number of years ago, early in September, I came home from a day in the woods and was quite surprised to see a wild goose sitting in the centre of the field. In fact, it stayed three weeks. I was told that days we were away kids came and threw stones at it but after a while it became quite tame. Edna , my wife, could get quite close and took many pictures. What did seem a bit of a surprise was that it nested down for the night right close to one of the beagles. And never once did either of the dogs bark at the goose or show any sign of excitement when it was near.

When I first realized that our visitor might stay a while it crossed my mind that the Bices would have roast goose. But, after a while, it seemed that bird belonged and by the time it would be legal to shoot it, I could no more have killed it than I could one of the dogs. In fact, since then I have had not the slightest desire to shoot a wild goose.

Giant Canadas were thought to be extinct until a few years ago. Besides Canadas there are six other types of wild geese the white or snow goose being the most common. There is also the blue goose which scientists have found out is the snow goose with a different colour phase. Then there is the Brant which has two subspecies; the Barnacle Goose, the Emperor Goose, White Fronted Goose and Ross’s Goose.

While geese nest in the north they are mostly absent here in the summer. But something would be missing from spring and fall if we did not see and listen to their welcome honking.