Predators of goslings at Lake Aquitaine?

[Bird Brain]

Hi everybody.  For the past 3 weeks, I've been watching 5 goslings with their parents at Lake Aquitaine.  Sadly, tonight there are only 4 goslings with the parents so I'm assuming some sort of predator got the 5th one.    There were still 5 goslings last night so I guess this happened overnight or early this morning.  

Just curious to know what sort of predator goes after goslings?  Lots of wildlife up here plus various hawks - eg. Red-tailed, Coopers, etc.  The goslings are fairly big now too and the parents have been extremely protective!  

Jo-Anne  

Lake Aquitaine:  SE corner of Glen Erin Dr./Aquitaine Ave., behind the community centre.

[Anonymous]

Raccoon, fox, coyote...all of these would take a gosling in the middle of the night.  Could have also been a large snapping turtle in the lake if they reside there...??

[Bird Brain]

Raccoon, fox, coyote...all of these would take a gosling in the middle of the night.  Could have also been a large snapping turtle in the lake if they reside there...??

Hi Attila.  There are definitely coyotes here and that was actually my first thought re: predator.  I wonder how many of the remaining 4 goslings will last?  I've only ever seen snappers at Erindale Park and Rattray Marsh.  

Just wondering ... if it was a coyote, will I be finding any feathers or bones around here somewhere?

Jo-Anne

[Anonymous]

Chances are you'll only find remains at the den site, since that's where all the feeding is taking place.

As for how long the goslings will last, it all depends on whether mom and dad will keep them in the water or on land.  

Attila

[Kin Lau]

Red-tailed Hawks will also take goslings.

I have about 50-60 goslings at work on the lawn, and when the red-tail comes by, the parents go bezerk and shelter the little ones.

By mid June, I expect to have at least 100 goslings, probably 200 on the lawn at work.

Also, keep in mind that geese are also not "traffic aware". They do cross busy streets with the whole family in tow. I've seen them stop 6 lanes of traffic on Hwy 7, so roadkill is also an expected consequence.

[Anonymous]

Ditto to what Kin said also.

I've never heard of a red tail taking a gosling, would be something interesting to see!

Another one just crossed my mind - great horned owl.

[Bird Brain]

Chances are you'll only find remains at the den site, since that's where all the feeding is taking place.

As for how long the goslings will last, it all depends on whether mom and dad will keep them in the water or on land.  

Attila

Hi Attila.  It would be interesting to find the den site!

I've noticed the whole goose family is on land a lot more than in the water.  The only time they go running for the water is when someone walking a dog appears.  Usually after they eat, the goslings curl up and have a nap near the water's edge.  Occasionally, will see the family swimming all in a row out on the lake.  

[Bird Brain]

Red-tailed Hawks will also take goslings.

I have about 50-60 goslings at work on the lawn, and when the red-tail comes by, the parents go bezerk and shelter the little ones.

By mid June, I expect to have at least 100 goslings, probably 200 on the lawn at work.

Also, keep in mind that geese are also not "traffic aware". They do cross busy streets with the whole family in tow. I've seen them stop 6 lanes of traffic on Hwy 7, so roadkill is also an expected consequence.

Hi Kin.  I've seen both Coyotes and Red-tailed Hawks here at the lake.  Every time a Red-tailed Hawk appears lately, a male RWBB goes completely nuts (as we discussed in another thread) attacking/chasing/pecking it.  

A lot of people at the lake were asking me this morning where the 5th gosling has gone to.  Some people were really upset/sad about it and other people pretty much just said "oh well, that's nature and the other animal has to eat too".  

Wow, lots of goslings on the lawn at your workplace!

[Bird Brain]

Ditto to what Kin said also.

I've never heard of a red tail taking a gosling, would be something interesting to see!

Yeah, especially with the size of these goslings - they are fairly big.  Not as huge as the Groundhog and Opposum sighted over the last couple of days though!  :lol:

Another one just crossed my mind - great horned owl.

Amazingly, I've never seen any owls here in Mississauga!  :shock:  Have seen owls in Etobicoke, Oakville, at Mountsberg and just South of Sarnia - plus in Varadero, Cuba.