Try to Give Connecticut’s Largest Native Waterfowl Some Extra Space

I saw the cutest scene along the Naugatuck River in Torrington yesterday, it was a family of Canada Geese foraging along the banks, and my chihuahua got a bit of a fright.

Have you ever had a silly goose chase you away from their babies? It happened to me yesterday in Torrington, and I want to remind you that this is the time of year when Connecticut's largest native waterfowl species need a little extra space. Canada Goose can weigh between 6 and 13 pounds, with a wingspan of 2 to 4 feet across, my chihuahua weighs 6 pounds, and stands maybe 10 inches tall. RayRay was a bit curious of the fuzzy little yellow-tinged babies we encountered on the banks of the Naugatuck River in Torrington, and Daddy Goose was not playing around.

According to ct.gov, Canada Geese are monogamous and stay together for life, and are among Connecticut's earliest nesters. Canada Goose start defending nesting sites in March and April. and the newborns are just now getting to see the world they've been born into.

These babies have survived their 28 day incubation by avoiding the heavy rains we've had recently, and ducking underneath the hungry mouths of turtles, raccoons, dogs, and foxes. When Daddy Goose saw my 6 pound Chihuahua come within 20 feet, the babies started making their way down the riverbank under Mom's guidance, and then Dad took a couple of steps towards my little guy. I pulled his leash tight in order to show that he was going to get nowhere closer, and the family made their way down.