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 B次元官网网址渙ddball goose,B次元官网网址� bigger, with a larger head and different colouring than a standard Canada goose.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 something unusual,B次元官网网址� Henderson noted.

B次元官网网址淚n addition to the size and facial differences, the orange legs of the hybrid [are different] B次元官网网址� a B次元官网网址榬egularB次元官网网址� Canada Goose has black legs,B次元官网网址� Henderson explained.

While Canada geese and domestic geese donB次元官网网址檛 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.

B次元官网网址滻tB次元官网网址檚 not high diversity, but itB次元官网网址檚 interesting in species that occur there,B次元官网网址� Henderson commented.

Such as spotting a Sandhill crane, which Henderson described as a B次元官网网址渉igh pointB次元官网网址� of the day.

B次元官网网址淭hey move around a bit, but the Derby Bog is an area that they do frequent,B次元官网网址� Henderson said.

B次元官网网址淲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.B次元官网网址�

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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.

B次元官网网址淪o the numbers are down, but generally IB次元官网网址檇 say that things have stayed pretty consistent [over the years],B次元官网网址� Henderson told the Langley Advance Times.

B次元官网网址淭hank goodness for Metro Parks B次元官网网址� theyB次元官网网址檝e really done well to conserve that area.B次元官网网址�

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

B次元官网网址淲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.B次元官网网址�

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

B次元官网网址淚 do a brief report every year,B次元官网网址� Henderson said.

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

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