HomeSure Sign of Spring: First Goose Arrives 
Oak Hammock Marsh MB, March 19 – One of the first sure signs of spring flapped its way back to Oak Hammock Marsh over the weekend. On Saturday, March 17th, excited staff at the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre spotted a lone Canada goose enjoying a mid-afternoon break by a pond near the Centre at just after 2:00 p.m.
Despite the perception that Old Man Winter seems to be hanging around forever this year, the return of the goose was right on schedule.
"According to our Oak Hammock records, the return of the geese is pretty much on time this year," said Cathy Shaluk, the Centre's visitor services coordinator, adding a family of five Canada geese showed up on Sunday while other pairs have been spotted flying around Oak Hammock Marsh today. She said the first goose arrived last year February 28, an unusually early return due to last year's mild winter.
Shaluk said the geese are the first of many to be winging their way north to their spring breeding grounds. She expects about 50 pairs to end their migration at Oak Hammock Marsh to nest and raise their young, while the majority will continue northward enroute to their annual breeding grounds.
The Interpretive Centre is open 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. throughout March, and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in April. Family admission is $13.00 for the day, Adults $3.75, Seniors & Students $2.75.
