Aleutian Goose Fly-off Weekend (3/12/2011 - 3/13/2011)
Aleutian Cackling Goose Fly-off and Family Fun Weekend at the Humboldt Wildlife Refuge
Usually the first weekend in March.
It is really amazing to see thousands and thousands of geese circling in the air and then separating into flocks and heading out.
The geese rise up en masse right around sunrise after spending the night at the wildlife refuge. Then head inland to graze on the north coast pasture lands. They will return again to roost at dusk.
The Aleutian geese (a sub-species of the Canada goose) are on their annual winter/spring trek from the Central Valley via the Pacific flyway -- to their nesting grounds in the Aleutian islands in Alaska. They stop for only a few months in Northern California and Southern Oregon to feed on grasses rich with protein.
Besides its smaller size than the Canada goose, another way to recognize this cackling goose is by a white collar ring at the base of its long black neck.
Directions: At Humboldt Bay NWRC (take Hookton Rd exit off Hwy 101 near Loleta