Help with Canada Geese ID's

[sebastianbawn]

Hi all. These images were taken in Minehead, and I am after a little bit of technical Id work. Firstly image 1, the speckled head, is this due to partial albinism of some kind? And on images 2 and 3 of the goslings can anyone tell me the ages, i.e, first summer, second summer, 1st clutch, second clutch of the year, etc.

[aeshna5]

The goslings are all this season's. Generally only have one brood, but if eggs are removed they may relay, which is why in control measures eggs are replaced once pricked or substituted.

[sebastianbawn]

Hi again Aeshna! I was only guessing on two broods due to the huge difference between the two gosling pics, both were taken at the same time (within minutes). If the first brood was disturbed then that would make sense, thanks

[The Woodman]

The giosling in the centre may be 2 weeks old whilst the one on the right is 4-5 weeks old, from an earlier hatching. I'm assuming these are not from the same clutch.

CG lay 4/6 eggs normally but may double up and I've found 14 in one nest on Windermere this year. Several with twelve eggs in.

I'm not too clear what aeshna5 means but if eggs are removed from the then the goose will keep laying, if pricked or covered in liquid parafin BP to kill the embryo - as long as the clutch is complete - the goose will try and hatch them and not lay any more.

There was a picture in arecent Telegraph with a clutch of 50 goslings swimming behind a goose.

[sebastianbawn]

Thanks Woodman, no they were not in the same clutch.

[JAYS]

I suspect broods may merge. On Sale Water Park a week or so ago there was a "creche" of about 30 goslings of various sizes. In attendance were 5 adults.