Canada Geese and Goslings

We found a large number of Canada Geese and Goslings at Gilbert Creek Wildlife Area. They are growing very fast.

Canada Geese at Gilbert Creek

There are quite a few Canada Geese at Gilbert Creek but none of them seem to be nesting.

 

Geese and Goslings at Hoffman Hills

Not long ago the goslings hatched at Hoffman Hills. We stopped by to check on them a few days later and found them feeding on pond scum.

Another Visit to Gilbert Creek

None of the geese or the sandhill Cranes seem to be nesting.

Another V

A Beautiful Day at Hoffman Hills

We had gone out to Hoffman Hills to check on the nesting Canada Geese but there were many more things to see. A Green Heron landed on the other side of the pond. We watched as it hunted along the shore for frogs.

There were also quite a few Red-winged Blackbirds around

The Marsh Marigolds are blooming in the swampy areas.

The Painted Turtles were sunning themselves along the edge of the pond.

The last of the Pussy Willows were blooming.

The Willow Trees are getting ready to bloom.

There were a number of Turkey Vultures flying around the area.

 

Off the Nest

Yesterday we watched as a pair of Canada Geese debuted their goslings. Today we were up early and headed to Hoffman Hills to see if the goslings were off of the nest. When we arrived we noticed that the female was off of the nest and the goslings were wandering around eating.

Shortly after we arrived the adults took to the water and most of the goslings were right behind them.

They paddled clear across the pond on their first outing.

We decided to walk around the pond and when we arrived on the other side everyone was up on shore feeding. We watched them for a short time then continued on our hike.

As we were starting back toward the pond where the geese were we noticed that they had walked the 100 yards from the first to the second pond. They then proceeded to swim across the second lake. We didn’t stick around to watch them but I suspect the goslings all took a nap after a strenuous workout.

 

They Hatched!!

Every spring we watch a pair of Canada Geese raise their young at Hoffman Hills. We had a good idea that the gosling would be hatching at any time so we were making frequent visits to Hoffman Hills. When we arrived we noticed that things had change. Both adult geese were near the nest and the female was sitting with it’s head up. Normally she has here head lying on the ground. We new something was up but we didn’t see any gosling.

We walked around for a while and when we returned to the area of the nest we noticed that the female on the nest was moving around so we figured there were some gosling trying to get out. We watched for a while and sure enough one of them popped out and we could see a few more under here wing.

Hoffman Hills Canada Geese Update

She is till on the nest. I think the young will hatch around the 8th of May. The female stays on the nest the entire month without food or water. And to think we go crazy if we are quarantined in our home for a month.

Nesting Geese at Hoffman Hills

The geese that were staking out their nesting grounds are now on the nest. More photos from Hoffman Hills can be found on my website.

 

The Geese have arrived at Hoffman Hills

Each spring we look forward to the Canada Geese arriving at Hoffman Hills to raise their young. This pair is staking out their nesting grounds. They are standing where they like to nest but the water is too high this year. More photos from Hoffman Hills can be found on my website.