Family Outings

There's some symmetry in today's photo, taken two weeks ago from the border of Pennsylvania's newest state park, Erie Bluffs State Park looking out at Elk Creek. In the foreground is a family of Canada geese, while in the distance a father and daughter are seen fishing together.

Unlike some bird species, the male Canada goose shares the parenting duties with the female. He will aggressively guard the nest against predators while the female incubates the eggs. The bond between male and female is very strong and will often last for life. Once the young have hatched, the male helps to care for and guard them. This family bond may last through the winter and even until a new nesting season arrives. After this nesting is over, some yearling Canada geese may even return to their family groups.

The Canada goose has a fascinating recent history. Originally a nester only far north of Pennsylvania, this species began altering its behavior about 30 years ago. Now instead of migrating through or wintering in our state, a large permanent resident population has become established. Once regarded as a symbol of a Canadian wilderness, this goose is considered a problem species in some areas of the U.S.

Photo taken by WPC's Jack Rowley on June 4, 2004, the day Pa. Gov. Edward Rendell announced that a mile of Lake Erie shoreline protected by Western Pennsylvania Conservancy would become the first state park in 20 years.

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