Bob,

You're right, when the goslings are very young, they're seen in smaller 
numbers with their own parents. I believe the adult geese time their molt so 
they are relatively flightless during this period. And since the goslings 
are able to run around and feed themselves from day one, presumably the 
adults can watch over a gang of older goslings without worrying that their 
particular offspring will go hungry. "It takes a flock..."

-Janet

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Hartman" <>
To: <>
Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 9:42 PM
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Goslings galore


| 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
| >
|