WhenToBird

2 goose species in Michigan

When Do Geese Arrive in Michigan?

Adult Canada Goose
Photo: Tser, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Canada Geese are in Michigan all year, but most are here in spring: numbers build from late February, peak in late March (57% of checklists), and fall back by mid May. In the quietest week (late June) they are still on about 15% of checklists. They are by far the most reported gooses in Michigan.

When to look

Numbers buildFeb 22-28late February
PeakMar 22-31late March
Fall back byMay 15-21mid May
FewestJun 22-30late June

Best: late March. Here all year; numbers build from late February and fall back by mid May. Peak: on about 57% of Michigan checklists.

  1. Jancommon
  2. Febcommon
  3. Marpeak season
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Juncommon
  7. Julcommon
  8. Augcommon
  9. Sepcommon
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novcommon
  12. Deccommon

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

Geese in Michigan, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Canada GooseFeb 22-28Feb 22-28Mar 22-31May 15-2157%
Greater White-fronted GooseDec 22-31Dec 22-31Mar 1-7Mar 22-311.1%
0%20%40%60%Canada GooseGreater White-fronted GooseJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Canada 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 Michigan 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 Michigan

Best counties for Canada Goose

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Gratiot CountyBest the second week of April · 153 checklists that week, 5,892 in all82%
  2. Clinton CountyBest late March · 380 checklists that week, 10,597 in all80%
  3. Ionia CountyBest mid March · 141 checklists that week, 5,509 in all75%
  4. Bay CountyBest late March · 518 checklists that week, 16,522 in all74%
  5. Alcona CountyBest late March · 310 checklists that week, 9,236 in all74%
  6. Lenawee CountyBest mid March · 367 checklists that week, 11,588 in all73%

Common questions

When do geese arrive in Michigan?
Canada Geese are in Michigan all year, but most are here in spring: numbers build from late February, peak in late March (57% of checklists), and fall back by mid May. In the quietest week (late June) they are still on about 15% of checklists. They are by far the most reported gooses in Michigan.
When do geese leave Michigan?
Canada Geese never fully leave Michigan: numbers fall back below half their usual rate by mid May, but some are still reported in every week, about 15% of checklists at the low.
When is the best time to see geese in Michigan?
The Canada Goose is reported most often in late March, on about 57% of Michigan checklists.
Which geese are in Michigan?
Canada Goose and Greater White-fronted Goose are reported regularly; the Canada Goose is the most common.