When do geese leave District of Columbia?

Canada Geese never fully leave District of Columbia: numbers fall back below half their usual rate by the second week of April, but some are still reported in every week, about 12% of checklists at the low.

When is the best time to see geese in District of Columbia?

The Canada Goose is reported most often in mid December, on about 52% of District of Columbia checklists.

Which geese are in District of Columbia?

Canada Goose, Cackling Goose, Snow Goose, and Greater White-fronted Goose are reported regularly; the Canada Goose is the most common.

4 goose species in District of Columbia

When Do Geese Arrive in District of Columbia?

Photo: Tser, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Canada Geese are in District of Columbia all year, but most are here in winter: numbers build from the second week of November, peak in mid December (52% of checklists), and fall back by the second week of April. In the quietest week (the second week of September) they are still on about 12% of checklists. They are by far the most reported gooses in District of Columbia.

When to look

Numbers buildNov 8-14the second week of November

PeakDec 15-21mid December

Fall back byApr 8-14the second week of April

FewestSep 8-14the second week of September

Best: mid December. Here all year; numbers build from the second week of November and fall back by the second week of April. Peak: on about 52% of District of Columbia checklists.

Janpeak season
Febpeak season
Marpeak season
Aprcommon
Maycommon
Juncommon
Juluncommon
Augcommon
Sepuncommon
Octcommon
Novpeak season
Decpeak season

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Geese in District of Columbia, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
Canada Goose	Nov 8-14	Nov 8-14	Dec 15-21	Apr 8-14	52%
Cackling Goose	Nov 22-30	Nov 22-30	Dec 22-31	Feb 22-28	2.5%
Snow Goose	Nov 22-30	Nov 22-30	Dec 8-14	Jan 15-21	1.2%
Greater White-fronted Goose	Dec 22-31	Dec 22-31	Jan 8-14	Feb 8-14	1.1%

Canada Goose
Cackling Goose
Snow Goose
Greater White-fronted Goose

Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in District of Columbia that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in District of Columbia

Best counties for Canada Goose

Share of checklists at the peak

District of Columbia CountyBest mid December · 2009 checklists that week, 121,721 in all52%

Common questions

When do geese arrive in District of Columbia?: Canada Geese are in District of Columbia all year, but most are here in winter: numbers build from the second week of November, peak in mid December (52% of checklists), and fall back by the second week of April. In the quietest week (the second week of September) they are still on about 12% of checklists. They are by far the most reported gooses in District of Columbia.
When do geese leave District of Columbia?: Canada Geese never fully leave District of Columbia: numbers fall back below half their usual rate by the second week of April, but some are still reported in every week, about 12% of checklists at the low.
When is the best time to see geese in District of Columbia?: The Canada Goose is reported most often in mid December, on about 52% of District of Columbia checklists.
Which geese are in District of Columbia?: Canada Goose, Cackling Goose, Snow Goose, and Greater White-fronted Goose are reported regularly; the Canada Goose is the most common.