Janet, I'm convinced that GAGO "gosling-sit" for each other after the 
goslings get past the very young stage.  There was formerly a large 
flock at Goddard Space Flt Cntr (thinned considerably a few years ago). 
  Several times I witnessed one pair of adults "handing off" a large 
group of goslings to another adult pair.

When the goslings were very small, I never saw a brood of more than 6-8.

	Bob Hartman



Janet Millenson wrote:
> At Swains Lock (approx. mile 17 on the C&O Canal towpath) this afternoon I 
> encountered two adult Canada Geese watching over *20* goslings. No other 
> adult geese were nearby. Canada Geese don't have broods that big, do they? I 
> assumed it was the parent birds watching over the young'uns while they 
> grazed -- but might the adults have been two females instead, each with her 
> own group of goslings?
> 
> Please enlighten me, you goose gurus out there. Thanks.
> 
> Janet Millenson
> Potomac, MD (Montgomery County)
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> "Look at the birds!" -- Pascal the parrot 
>