WhenToBird

2 goose species in Vermont

When Do Geese Arrive in Vermont?

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

Canada Geese are in Vermont all year, but most are here in spring: numbers build from the second week of March, peak in late March (44% of checklists), and fall back by late May. In the quietest week (early February) they are still on about 3.0% of checklists. They are by far the most reported gooses in Vermont.

When to look

Numbers buildMar 8-14the second week of March
PeakMar 22-31late March
Fall back byMay 22-31late May
FewestFeb 1-7early February

Best: late March. Here all year; numbers build from the second week of March and fall back by late May. Peak: on about 44% of Vermont checklists.

  1. Janrare
  2. Febuncommon
  3. Marpeak season
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Juncommon
  7. Juluncommon
  8. Auguncommon
  9. Sepcommon
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novcommon
  12. Decuncommon

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

Geese in Vermont, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Canada GooseMar 8-14Mar 8-14Mar 22-31May 22-3144%
Snow GooseOct 8-14Oct 8-14Nov 8-14Jan 1-72.9%
0%20%40%60%Canada GooseSnow GooseJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • 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 Vermont 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 Vermont

Best counties for Canada Goose

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Grand Isle CountyBest late March · 268 checklists that week, 8,507 in all61%
  2. Essex CountyBest late April · 265 checklists that week, 9,416 in all55%
  3. Addison CountyBest mid March · 1957 checklists that week, 77,064 in all52%
  4. Franklin CountyBest late March · 799 checklists that week, 25,284 in all50%
  5. Orleans CountyBest the second week of April · 332 checklists that week, 11,785 in all50%
  6. Windham CountyBest late March · 1692 checklists that week, 39,105 in all50%

Common questions

When do geese arrive in Vermont?
Canada Geese are in Vermont all year, but most are here in spring: numbers build from the second week of March, peak in late March (44% of checklists), and fall back by late May. In the quietest week (early February) they are still on about 3.0% of checklists. They are by far the most reported gooses in Vermont.
When do geese leave Vermont?
Canada Geese never fully leave Vermont: numbers fall back below half their usual rate by late May, but some are still reported in every week, about 3.0% of checklists at the low.
When is the best time to see geese in Vermont?
The Canada Goose is reported most often in late March, on about 44% of Vermont checklists.
Which geese are in Vermont?
Canada Goose and Snow Goose are reported regularly; the Canada Goose is the most common.