A rarely-seen mix of Canada goose and domestic goose was discovered paddling near Brae Island during the 13th Fort Langley bird count, held Saturday, March 2.

Event organizer Phil Henderson, a Fort Langley resident, called it an 鈥渙ddball goose,鈥� bigger, with a larger head and different colouring than a standard Canada goose.

鈥淚t鈥檚 something unusual,鈥� Henderson noted.

鈥淚n addition to the size and facial differences, the orange legs of the hybrid [are different] 鈥� a 鈥榬egular鈥� Canada Goose has black legs,鈥� Henderson explained.

While Canada geese and domestic geese don鈥檛 normally mate with each other, it has been known to happen, experts say, and hybrids can end up as part of a flock of Canada geese or domestic geese, depending on which parent they imprint on.

About 20 people braved cold and damp weather conditions to carry out the count at six different locations in the Derby Reach and Brae Island parks, including the Houston Trail, Derby Bog and peatlands, Edgewater Bar, and Fort-to-Fort Trail areas.

Henderson led the group that went to the bog, a sensitive conservation area which requires a permit from Metro Vancouver to enter.

鈥滻t鈥檚 not high diversity, but it鈥檚 interesting in species that occur there,鈥� Henderson commented.

Such as spotting a Sandhill crane, which Henderson described as a 鈥渉igh point鈥� of the day.

鈥淭hey move around a bit, but the Derby Bog is an area that they do frequent,鈥� Henderson said.

鈥淲e were lucky enough to see them. We heard them initially when we went into the bog, and then we saw one flying over, so we confirmed at least one.鈥�

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The highest number of species, 35, were counted along the Fort to Fort trail section, while the lowest number, 16, was counted in the bog and Houston Loop.

Overall, 44 species and 1,200 individual birds were counted. That represented a slight drop from previous counts, which have averaged as many as 53 species and 1,400 birds.

鈥淪o the numbers are down, but generally I鈥檇 say that things have stayed pretty consistent [over the years],鈥� Henderson told the Langley Advance Times.

鈥淭hank goodness for Metro Parks 鈥� they鈥檝e really done well to conserve that area.鈥�

Henderson said beyond tracking bird populations, the goal of the event is to encourage people to learn about birds from experienced birders and experts.

鈥淲e try to get the inexperienced people out, just to encourage them to develop a relationship with their environment, and that sense of stewardship which goes ultimately towards conservation.鈥�

Results of the count are shared with participants and also Metro Vancouver.

鈥淚 do a brief report every year,鈥� Henderson said.

Anyone interested on taking part in future bird counts can email strix@uniserve.com.

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