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 害羞草研究所渙ddball goose,害羞草研究所� bigger, with a larger head and different colouring than a standard Canada goose.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 something unusual,害羞草研究所� Henderson noted.

害羞草研究所淚n addition to the size and facial differences, the orange legs of the hybrid [are different] 害羞草研究所� a 害羞草研究所榬egular害羞草研究所� Canada Goose has black legs,害羞草研究所� Henderson explained.

While Canada geese and domestic geese don害羞草研究所檛 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.

害羞草研究所滻t害羞草研究所檚 not high diversity, but it害羞草研究所檚 interesting in species that occur there,害羞草研究所� Henderson commented.

Such as spotting a Sandhill crane, which Henderson described as a 害羞草研究所渉igh point害羞草研究所� of the day.

害羞草研究所淭hey move around a bit, but the Derby Bog is an area that they do frequent,害羞草研究所� Henderson said.

害羞草研究所淲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.害羞草研究所�

READ ALSO:

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.

害羞草研究所淪o the numbers are down, but generally I害羞草研究所檇 say that things have stayed pretty consistent [over the years],害羞草研究所� Henderson told the Langley Advance Times.

害羞草研究所淭hank goodness for Metro Parks 害羞草研究所� they害羞草研究所檝e really done well to conserve that area.害羞草研究所�

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

害羞草研究所淲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.害羞草研究所�

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

害羞草研究所淚 do a brief report every year,害羞草研究所� Henderson said.

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

READ ALSO: