Waiting for Goslings

I am fortunate to have a nice wildlife area, along Alameda Creek, in Fremont, CA, close to my home. In the past, I have taken a five mile walk along the creek, along with my camera, on a weekly basis, usually, but not always, on a Sunday morning. Recently, due to some travel and some health issues, I had missed my regular walk for several weeks.

On April 8 (a Wednesday), I once again took my regular walk, and near the end of the walk, I came across a Canada goose possibly nesting on a fallen log in the creek. To be honest, I wasn't sure, but thought I'd check again the next time I did the walk.

On April 14 (a Tuesday), I did the walk again and was pleased to see the goose still on the log. It seemed clear that this was a nesting goose. I looked up some information on Canada geese, and the typical gestation period is 24 - 32 days. So, if the goose had started nesting on April 7, the earliest date possible for the goslings to appear would be May 1. However, it was likely that the goose had started nesting earlier than that, so I decide I should try to return to the area daily to check on the status.

On April 15 (Wednesday), I did a shorter walk, but started at a spot reasonably close to the nesting location. The goose had re-oriented herself on the log since the previous day.

I used the closer location again on April 16, and the goose was still there. Nesting geese are predated by coyotes and feral cats, so the location of the nest was a wise choice by this goose. This was the first day that I could clearly see down from the goose at the top of the nest.

On April 17, I spotted the nesting goose again. It was interesting to look at the various ways the goose sat on the nest.

On April 18 (Saturday), the goose was still on the nest. The goose was in a different orientation than the previous day. It could be my imagination, but I think the nest is better defined in the later photos, which could indicate that the nesting goose is continually adjusting the nest over time.

On April 19 (Sunday), I took my typical 5 mile walk, and near the end of the walk, the goose was still on the nest.

Monday, April 20, was an overcast morning, but I went out early anyway to check on the goose. Imagine my excitement when I noticed that the nest was empty! If you look closely at the top of the nest, it looks as though two eggs didn't hatch. But where were the goose and her goslings?

Changing my focus, I looked down towards the waterline, and there were two goslings and the parents! Earlier reading I had done said that a typical Canada goose nest has 5 - 9 eggs, so were there other goslings?

After a brief wait, a third gosling appeared from behind a rock. At birth, goslings are able to swim and can eat by themselves.

The goslings imprint on their mother and will follow her where ever she leads. The father stays with the goslings, as well, and is there primarily for defense of the family from potential predators. The adults are particularly territorial during this time.

A view of the three goslings. The adults moved the goslings upstream shortly after I arrived and were soon lost in high grass and shrubs. Had I arrived ten minutes later, I might have missed them!

The next time I spotted the family was on April 22 (I had checked on April 21, without any luck). All three goslings were still around. Young goslings are predated by coyotes, feral cats, and large birds, all of which can be found in the area.

Once again, I didn't see the family on April 23, despite looking carefully along the creek, but on the morning of April 24, I spotted them again. I was glad to see all three goslings still with their parents.

A view of one of the goslings, as one of the parents gathers water grass in its beak.

A quick check on the old nest revealed a surprising sight; at least one egg was still there. Usually, crows or jays will grab any egg they spot.

What's next? I'll continue to try to track the Canada goose family as the goslings grow larger. This has been a lot of fun and I'e learned a lot in the process.