When do geese leave New Hampshire?

Canada Geese never fully leave New Hampshire: numbers fall back below half their usual rate by late May, but some are still reported in every week, about 7.2% of checklists at the low.

When is the best time to see geese in New Hampshire?

The Canada Goose is reported most often in early April, on about 32% of New Hampshire checklists.

Which geese are in New Hampshire?

Canada Goose and Snow Goose are reported regularly; the Canada Goose is the most common.

2 goose species in New Hampshire

When Do Geese Arrive in New Hampshire?

Photo: Tser, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Canada Geese are in New Hampshire all year, but most are here in spring: numbers build from early March, peak in early April (32% of checklists), and fall back by late May. In the quietest week (early July) they are still on about 7.2% of checklists. They are by far the most reported gooses in New Hampshire.

When to look

Numbers buildMar 1-7early March

PeakApr 1-7early April

Fall back byMay 22-31late May

FewestJul 1-7early July

Best: early April. Here all year; numbers build from early March and fall back by late May. Peak: on about 32% of New Hampshire checklists.

Januncommon
Febuncommon
Marpeak season
Aprpeak season
Maypeak season
Juncommon
Juluncommon
Auguncommon
Sepcommon
Octcommon
Novcommon
Deccommon

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

Geese in New Hampshire, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
Canada Goose	Mar 1-7	Mar 1-7	Apr 1-7	May 22-31	32%
Snow Goose	Dec 22-31	Dec 22-31	Mar 15-21	Apr 15-21	1.0%

Canada Goose
Snow 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire

Best counties for Canada Goose

Share of checklists at the peak

Sullivan CountyBest early April · 322 checklists that week, 13,105 in all47%
Coos CountyBest mid April · 626 checklists that week, 27,719 in all44%
Grafton CountyBest the second week of April · 1396 checklists that week, 45,699 in all36%
Merrimack CountyBest late March · 1349 checklists that week, 36,980 in all36%
Cheshire CountyBest mid March · 898 checklists that week, 39,834 in all35%
Belknap CountyBest late March · 419 checklists that week, 13,295 in all34%

Common questions

When do geese arrive in New Hampshire?: Canada Geese are in New Hampshire all year, but most are here in spring: numbers build from early March, peak in early April (32% of checklists), and fall back by late May. In the quietest week (early July) they are still on about 7.2% of checklists. They are by far the most reported gooses in New Hampshire.
When do geese leave New Hampshire?: Canada Geese never fully leave New Hampshire: numbers fall back below half their usual rate by late May, but some are still reported in every week, about 7.2% of checklists at the low.
When is the best time to see geese in New Hampshire?: The Canada Goose is reported most often in early April, on about 32% of New Hampshire checklists.
Which geese are in New Hampshire?: Canada Goose and Snow Goose are reported regularly; the Canada Goose is the most common.