HULSCHER JB, MEEWISSEN G & EBENAU E (2012) Dangerous trip of a Canada Goose Branta canadensis family through an urban area. LIMOSA 85 (4): 179-181.

In 2012 a pair of Canada Geese bred on a tiny island in a pond in the village of Haren (Groningen, The Netherlands). The couple stayed on the lawns around the pond, where it successfully defended its six young against the dangers of dogs, cats, Blue Herons and the uneasy curiosity of people. After four weeks the family moved to a park at 1600 m distance. The birds passed a railway crossing and several roads where they forced cars to stop. After more than five hours walking and resting the family safely reached its destination. Although the parents had made the trip with chicks at least once before, they did not take the most direct route by road as people would do, but made many detours. The birds walked onto fences in gardens and buildings, forcing them back to the streets. However, the directions in which they tried to walk always headed straight to the park. The geese probably did not follow a known path on ground, but oriented themselves by homing. This system enabling a bird to find a once known area from any direction in later life works well for flying birds well, but less so for a family of geese walking with small chicks in a crowded urban area.

[pdf only for members] [dutch summary]