Canada geese nesting in the south?

Well, I'm used to seeing the Muscovy ducks and even the Chinese geese nesting in the neighborhood, but the Canada's usually just "pass through". This is the first time I can recall seeing them with little ones. I would think they would go further north before nesting?

This is at the pond about 1/2 block from our house. This is one "family" but there are two, one with 4 babes and one with 5.
Deb

Here's another look...

Probably deliberately introduced, released birds. They will breed where they were released, as they lose their migratory instinct.

Resin

Really nice pics Deb!!

Resin: Thanks. And I've learned something new today! I didn't realize that could happen - that they would stop migrating.. I don't recall seeing any here during last summer, or over the winter until about late Feb. On the other hand, we do seem to see more every spring and fall, so perhaps that's why. While I love seeing them, I do hope they move along at the appropriate time. We are getting overcrowded at the pond. I just don't see how so many ducks and geese will find enough to eat if their numbers keep growing.
Deb

Pelle: . Thanks. :)

This message was edited May 11, 2007 6:35 PM

This message was edited May 11, 2007 6:35 PM

Yep; migration in geese is learnt from their parents, so when they are captive-bred, they don't know about anywhere else to go, so stay put.

Depends on how much bread people throw at them!! The population will grow, until the limit of peoples' generosity with bread is reached (how long till there is so much goose cr@p on the grass, that the local authorities impose a feeding ban for hygeine reasons). Unless the numbers get so dense that an epidemic disease cuts through them, or local Coyotes (or whatever) discover the free food.

Resin

Resin: They used to stay near the pond, but over the past winter they began venturing further into the neighborhood. My guess is, they were looking for food. I had to change what I put in our bird feeders because of all the geese and ducks hanging out in our back yard. (Plus the Muscovies ate all my Cannas and Elephant Ears last summer.)

People do put out corn down at the pond. There's another large pond on the little farm across the road and I think someone over there feeds them, too. Maybe some folks are feeding them in their yards, too - don't' know. The main thing keeping the population down is automobiles. Our web-footed friends are always going back and forth across the road, which is fairly busy.

We had 6 Chinese geese, now there are 4. People drive to fast...despite the "Duck Crossing" sign, and last fall someone mowed down a mother and about 7 ducklings. That just about broke my heart. I'd say one of them gets hit by a car every couple of weeks.

Someone needs to teach 'em to migrate again, like in that movie they made a couple of years ago! :)
Deb