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 香蕉视频直播渙ddball goose,香蕉视频直播� bigger, with a larger head and different colouring than a standard Canada goose.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 something unusual,香蕉视频直播� Henderson noted.

香蕉视频直播淚n addition to the size and facial differences, the orange legs of the hybrid [are different] 香蕉视频直播� a 香蕉视频直播榬egular香蕉视频直播� Canada Goose has black legs,香蕉视频直播� Henderson explained.

While Canada geese and domestic geese don香蕉视频直播檛 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.

香蕉视频直播滻t香蕉视频直播檚 not high diversity, but it香蕉视频直播檚 interesting in species that occur there,香蕉视频直播� Henderson commented.

Such as spotting a Sandhill crane, which Henderson described as a 香蕉视频直播渉igh point香蕉视频直播� of the day.

香蕉视频直播淭hey move around a bit, but the Derby Bog is an area that they do frequent,香蕉视频直播� Henderson said.

香蕉视频直播淲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.香蕉视频直播�

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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.

香蕉视频直播淪o the numbers are down, but generally I香蕉视频直播檇 say that things have stayed pretty consistent [over the years],香蕉视频直播� Henderson told the Langley Advance Times.

香蕉视频直播淭hank goodness for Metro Parks 香蕉视频直播� they香蕉视频直播檝e really done well to conserve that area.香蕉视频直播�

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

香蕉视频直播淲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.香蕉视频直播�

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

香蕉视频直播淚 do a brief report every year,香蕉视频直播� Henderson said.

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

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