Despite having one of the largest ranges of any goose in the world, the Greater White-fronted Goose is less commonly found east of the Mississippi. These geese breed across the tundra far to our north, while typically overwintering in the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America.
On Thursday, a single Greater White-fronted Goose was reported among a large flock of Canada Geese at The Coves and adjacent soccer field behind the German Canadian Club in London, Ontario.
Having never seen a Greater White-fronted Goose, I headed out first thing Friday morning in hopes of adding this bird to my life list. After searching unsuccessfully in the area around The Coves where the bird was originally located, I headed down to Springbank Park to meet my Dad for one of our morning walks.
Still hoping to see the Greater White-fronted Goose, I kept a close watch on the various flocks of Canada Geese in the park and on the river. A few minutes into our walk, I observed a small flock of Canada Geese flying upstream over the river. After a quick glance, the flock appeared to contain only Canada Geese. Fortunately, I heard a high pitched call that was not that of a Canada Goose, which caused me to do a double take. Sure enough, the last bird in the flock was a Greater White-fronted Goose.
My Dad and I watched as the flock of geese banked over the path and landed on the soccer field in the west end of Springbank Park. I knew from the angle we were at, the morning sun would present challenging shooting conditions, so we circled wide around the field so the sun was behind us. Looking across the field, which contained approximately 200 geese, we could not see the Greater White-fronted Goose. I raised my binoculars and scanned the flock searching for the distinct field marks of the Greater White-fronted Goose, a bright orange bill and feet.
Finally, after scanning roughly half the flock I noticed a single orange leg in the middle of the field. There it was, the Greater White-fronted Goose standing on one leg with its head tucked under its wings. If not actively searching for this bird, it would have gone unnoticed as it blended in quite well with the surrounding Canada Geese.This is the perfect example of why not to dismiss a flock of Canada Geese while out birding. You never know what may be mixed in. Other goose species that are sometimes observed among flocks of Canada Geese are Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese.
If you are looking to add a Greater White-fronted Goose to your year or life list, I recommend heading down to Springbank Park this weekend. Please remember this is a rare bird for our area, which has migrated thousands of kilometres and is likely exhausted and hungry. When searching for rare birds, remember to be respectful and keep your distance. Do not approach too closely, this will only put unnecessary stress on the bird and in many cases cause it to fly. Many other birders will most certainly be out this weekend in search of this goose, so please be respectful of them as well. Chasing a bird in order to get flight shot or up close image not only stresses the bird, but can spoil the opportunity for others to observe it. There is an old saying that I live by when out photographing birds and I ask you to keep it in mind when you are out, “If my behaviour changes the bird’s behaviour, than I am too close.”
With more above seasonal temperatures and plenty of sunshine in the forecast, it looks like a beautiful weekend to get out birding. Hopefully you will get the opportunity to head out in search of this and other beautiful birds.
Good birding,
Paul
Paul
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Congrats on your lifer! We had one in Ottawa hanging around a popular birding spot on the Ottawa River this past fall, too – this was only the third one I’d seen, but the first one I was able to photograph. It was a pretty popular bird that weekend. I wonder what the chances are that this is the same one?
Thanks Gillian. It would be interesting to know if it is the same bird. We had one here on the river last year, but unfortunately I missed it. I was really happy to view and photograph this one.
Today could not locate the White-fronted goose at spring bank this morning fyi
You had a rare find thanks for the info
Thanks Rob. I too was unsuccessful at relocating the goose today at the park. I did notice that there were not nearly as many Canada Geese in the park either, so perhaps it has moved on.
We saw 2 odd looking geese last weekend at the west end of Springbank among the Canada geese. We aren’t too knowledgeable about geese but were very interested in these two. Appeared to be a male and female and the male had wattles. Very strange to see them among the Canada geese.
Hi Mary, those two geese are domestic geese and have been in that area for many years. To my knowledge they are called Toulouse Geese. They are similar in appearance to the Greater White-fronted Goose and often confuse many area birders.
We haven’t seen the Toulouse Goose at Springbank Park (west end) for 2 years. Sadly her mate was taken away 3 years ago by Animal Control, one day when we were visiting.
Hi Chris, I read where the one was taken somewhere that kept domestic ducks and geese this after its mate was shot with an arrow. You can see the story here: https://london.ctvnews.ca/police-launch-probe-after-goose-shot-with-arrow-1.4258128