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Snow Geese in Richmond

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VAGAbond:
A note to those interested in wildlife viewing or photography that the snow geese have returned a tad early and in huge number to Delta and Richmond.   They can be viewed in huge flocks on the Fraser estuary wetlands and farmlands.   They also visit Richmond parks and schools ground to feed in large numbers and can be found for close viewing by driving around west Richmond.    They are not at all wary and can be approached within 20 feet before they object and waddle away a bit.

From a school ground near Terra Nova, Richmond:





From a flock estimated to be 20,000 in one field on Delta farmlands near Brunswick Point:





The story on the huge numbers is that where they nest on Wrangel Island, north of Siberia, they have normally experienced a severe snowstorm about every three years during the nesting season that kills a large percentage of the young.   The climate has warmed a bit and they have not had such a storm in over a decade with the result they are overpopulating.   The carrying capacity of the Fraser estuary is considered to be in the order of 30,000 birds and based on the large numbers of young this year, something in the order of 180,000 are expected.  They feed on the grass roots from the estuary mud and have pulled up the roots to such an extent that the grass boundary has receded from the seaside by tens of meters over the last 30 years.   Rising sea levels, up about 4 inches in the same time,  are not helping.

dennisK:
Wow. Thanks for the post. They look amazing. I wonder do people hunt them as well? They look so tame.

VAGAbond:
They seem quite unbothered by people in the parks.  I think geese are quite smart and quickly learn about hunters.

They are hunted and game managers would like the population reduced so the daily limit is 15 birds but few are harvested because due to urbanization there are only limited public hunting locations within the Fraser delta.

DragonSpeed:
It's definitely an interesting thing to see for anyone who hasn't had the opportunity.  Thanks for sharing your shots!

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