As Seen On:

From the June 1988 Conservationist

Montezuma Wildlife Refuge

By Brooks Tenney

In the animal world, few creatures are more devoted parents than Canada geese. As days begin to lengthen in the spring, the familiar flying wedges appear and one hears their evocative cries in the darkness. Ice is losing its grip on the marshlands and warmer days are coming. It is a time for renewal, a time for family planning.

Each spring, bird watchers in upstate New York are treated to the spectacle of thousands of migrating Canada geese; congregations numbering in the ten's of thousands are not uncommon. One of the best places to see these enormous concentrations is in and around Montezuma Wildlife Refuge located about five miles east of Seneca Falls. In 1987 much of the marshland remained frozen until the second or third week of March. Early migrants settled down in Cayuga Lake, moving into the refuge as ice melted. By mid-April, rangers estimated Montezuma's Canada goose population at 120,000.

Motorists on the New York Thruway which bisects the refuge are likely to speed through with little awareness of the abundant life concealed by the drab expanse of drowned trees and marsh grass visible from the highway. But huge flocks of geese and ducks often lie just beyond in the waterways that are not readily visible from the Thruway.

The Canada goose (Branta Canadensis) is one of the most abundant visitors to Montezuma. This Arctic resident normally breeds far to the north; ranging in longitude from Alaska to eastern Canada, ranging southward to the central portions of Quebec and Ontario. In the winter, immense flocks of these free-spirited wanderers migrate as far south as the Gulf States, downward from the southern limits of their breeding range.

Wild Canada geese do not normally breed as far south as Montezuma, but in recent years, breeding pairs have been introduced by conservationists. Beginning in 1961, 50 pairs were bred at Montezuma. Today, patient observers may enjoy the results of this effort as proud parents introduce their downy offspring to the special freedom that wild birds enjoy.

In the vast tundra to the north, wild geese nest on the elevated hummocks constructed by piling up heaps of grass and sticks. They will avail themselves of the top of a nearby beaver lodge, a tree stump, or even the abandoned nest of another large bird, such as an osprey. At Montezuma, the tops of abandoned muskrat houses are favored nesting sites. Nests are lined with grass and down.

Canada geese mate for life. The gander fights fiercely to win his mate and, having won her, he hangs on and takes a role in domestic life. He helps with nest building, stands guard while his mate remains with the eggs. A typical clutch ranges from four to six eggs. Incubation may take 28 to 30 days during which time the gander maintains a watch that communicates his fidelity and determination. Do not test his courage or aggressiveness. Audubon once got too close while inspecting a nest and the blow from a gander's wing nearly broke his arm.

Within about 48 hours of hatching, the goslings follow their parents into the water. Ornithologists tell us that these birds are precocial and nidifugous. Precocial refers to the chicks' ability to walk, swim and feed themselves soon after hatching. Nidifugous, a word that every parent should know and love, stems from nidi, nest and fugi, to flee; describing a chick which is quickly able to leave (flee) the nest. These goslings well deserve these adjectives.

Newly hatched goslings are a yellow-grey, with a slightly greenish cast. They will probably double their weight within a week. In Birds of New York, John Bull lists egg dates at Montezuma as ranging from March 28 to May 14. The nesting pair shown in these photos was observed at a nest on an abandoned muskrat house at noon on May 3rd. On May 5th, at 9 a.m. five goslings had emerged, and were busily exploring their new home. True to form, the parents moved them deeper into the marsh within the next few days and the more exposed site was quickly occupied by another family.

Adult Canada geese molt soon after nesting and the new nuclear family remains on the ground for about a month. This is about the time required for the goslings to grow wing feathers. Parents are dedicated to their offspring, devoting time to instruct their young and protect them from predators which inhabit the marsh. Hunters know the fierce determination of Canada geese; the mate of an injured bird may stay behind to protect, and may ultimately share the same fate as its mate.

These photos of a nesting pair are a study in family pride. Young goslings take an evident interest in their surroundings and are quick to explore within the protective circle provided by their watchful parents. Since the geese return to the breeding grounds where they were hatched, we may expect to see these chicks in two years when they have reached sexual maturity.

Brooks Tenney works in new product development for Xerox in Webster. In his spare time he backpacks and canoes in various eastern states. His articles and photographs on the outdoors have appeared in many publications.

Photo: DEC