Cape Barren Geese ... North Canterbury.

[Mtn Breeze]

Hi everyone,

I popped into the St Annes Lagoon Reserve yesterday for no other reason than I hadn't been there before.

I saw these two geese in the smaller pond on the right as you drive in. Being a very popular place I'm sure the birds are very well known but was just wondering what the history is behind them. Anyone know ??

Thanks,

Matt.


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[Neil Fitzgerald]

Hi Matt,
A local may be able to fill in more of the details but as far as I know their origin is open to debate (and prob always will be anywhere this species turns up). They have persisted there for many years now and numbers fluctuate from none whenever I visit to a small flock at other times.

[mark ayre]

From what i heard after chatting to an old fellow who maintains the place. The geese were released there and have successfully established them selves there. There also is a pair at the Hokitika sewage ponds as you head into town from the north. They are very good looking geese when you see them close up.

cheers Mark