Comments on: Duck Duck Goose – Snow Goose

By: Amber Coakley

Amber Coakley — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:30:07 +0000

Vickie – when I read that natural predation was not really studied though deemed inadequate to control the Snow Goose population, I was incensed. Our predator mammals in the Snow Goose wintering grounds, as well as just about everywhere else in the US are under attack from humans. It turns my stomach to know that we have so little tolerance for predator species. This might be the very topic that grabbed my attention so completely that I failed to respond to your comment in a timely fashion. I agree, that natural predation – the way of nature – is the best solution for a healthy and balanced ecosystem.

By: Amber Coakley

Amber Coakley — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:20:54 +0000

Hi Larry – c’mon, I’m sure you have some spare time, after work, after family, after helping to save the burrowing owls…to read that FWS 254-pg report.

By: Amber Coakley

Amber Coakley — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:18:14 +0000

Beth, thank you. I am so sorry to be responding so very late – I cannot figure out how I managed to miss yours and other comments on this post. With summer just now starting to fade, I find myself looking forward to those great flocks of geese that head my way for the winter.

I watched the video that you took of the snow geese taking flight – boy, does that bring back memories. Can’t wait to see them again!

By: Amber Coakley

Amber Coakley — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:13:03 +0000

Bob – I have not personally witnessed commingled Canadian and Snow Geese flocks, though it would not surprise me to find the odd Canadian goose hanging out amongst or near the fringes of a gaggle of Snow Geese.

By: Amber Coakley

Amber Coakley — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:58:13 +0000

Hi Darin – it sounds like you know a thing or two about the Snow Geese. When I read your comment and revisited this post, I was surprised to see that I had not responded to the several thoughtful comments. Well, never too late.

Do you know if it is possible to review the results of the demographic studies by collar color/number? Thanks for the info!

By: Darin Volpe

Darin Volpe — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 04:19:03 +0000

The collared goose is a female. She is part of the demographic snow goose studies. They use a yellow collar with black letters and numbers or green with usually white numbers, I’ve not seen 1 yet with letters in it. The green collar is a radio collar. I would say the collar is C2

By: Bob Carey

Bob Carey — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 12:46:09 +0000

Do snow geese comingle with Canadian geese?

By: The Bufflehead Birder » A Gaggle of Geese at Middle Creek

The Bufflehead Birder » A Gaggle of Geese at Middle Creek — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:44:29 +0000

[...] There are several sources that discuss this issue in detail but if you would like to see some wonderful photography along with the whole story behind the Snow Geese population explosion, please check out Birder’s Lounge. [...]

By: Beth Hunter

Beth Hunter — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:04:28 +0000

Hello Amber,

I really enjoyed this post. I was just at Middle Creek in PA where each spring the Snow Geese come to gather on their way north. So this post is a treat in that I have been reading up on the geese for my next post and your research here is excellent not to mention how beautiful your shots are.
I think the sound of the geese taking off at once is one of my favorite sounds ever.
Thank you for this post.

By: Larry Jordan

Larry Jordan — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:00:39 +0000

Wow Amber, nice job running down all this great information on the Snow Goose! They are definitely loud when the entire flock takes off. My favorite capture of your post is the top photo of the wedge of geese flying in formation and the last single goose coming in for a landing.

I have the same concerns as you about managing wildlife but there have been success stories for conservation like the National Wildlife System that we all enjoy so much.

Thanks for the beautiful views and excellent information and references (although I don’t think I will be reading the entire FWS 254 page report).