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Following the Circle of Life, With Webbed Feet
- Bob Benenson
- 20 hours ago
- 1 min read
Chicago's Gosling Population is on the Rise as Ducklings Make First Appearance
This is our 15th spring living in Chicago, and one of my joys is visiting the North Pond Bird Sanctuary to experience gosling season. The Canada geese that live pretty much undisturbed lives here are prolific reproducers, and I've often joked that Chicago is never at risk of a goose shortage.
Based on my most recent visit on Saturday, I'm happy to report that the annual Goose Population Replenishment Project is well under way. At the north end of the pond I discovered a pair of adults watching over 12 newborns; at the south end, another six goslings.
While these little fluffballs likely are just days old, they show no hesitation about getting their webbed feet wet. Instinct (and parental guidance) is strong with these ones.
I did have my first ducklings sighting of the year, with a mama duck giving a swimming lesson to her little ones.
But on this day, it was mostly about those golden goslings.
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