Seeing more Canada geese than normal? It's because their goslings are growing up
CBC
If you've been noticing more Canadian geese recently across the city of London, Ont., you're not alone.
Park goers are reporting seeing more of the familiar bird this summer, especially compared to this time last year.
Linus Guglielmo, who has been enjoying Ivey Park during his summer vacations over the last two years, isn't certain why he's seeing more.
"I've never seen this many here before," he said. "Last year, there was probably about half, or even less than half, of what there is now. I come here often and I just find it very interesting because I don't know what could make them gather in this park this much."
Nick Koskinas, a Londoner who has been visiting the park for the past 16 years, believes it's because more goslings have survived this year's nesting cycle.
"Last year, there was a serious avian flu and many died. During this year, the survivors who had chicks have intact nests and the majority are still alive as you can see here in this park," said Koskinas, adding he's noticed even higher numbers at Gibbons Park.
That's a solid theory according to Brian Salt, the CEO of the Salt Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre in Strathroy.
"Geese are really a vector species for highly pathogenic avian influenza, as are all shore birds, and that's taken a toll on the Canada goose population," he said.
Salt added that between late March and May, geese will defend their nests, territory and young. As of July, the goslings have had time to mature, making their numbers more visible.
"They'll be learning how to fly pretty soon and be a bit awkward."
WATCH | Canada geese eating in the grass at Ivy Park:
The number of Canadian geese have been steadily going up over the past few decades and not from a recent population boom, said Brendan Samuels, a PhD candidate at Western University with the Advanced Facility for Avian Research.
The Canadian Wildlife Service estimates there are more than 400,000 Canadian geese in the province.
Samuel said that humans contribute to Canada geese congregating in large numbers by feeding them, leading to the illusion of a population boom.
