When do geese leave West Virginia?

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

When is the best time to see geese in West Virginia?

The Canada Goose is reported most often in mid March, on about 39% of West Virginia checklists.

Which geese are in West Virginia?

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

4 goose species in West Virginia

When Do Geese Arrive in West Virginia?

Photo: Tser, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Canada Geese are in West Virginia all year, but most are here in spring: numbers build from late January, peak in mid March (39% of checklists), and fall back by the second week of May. In the quietest week (late June) they are still on about 12% of checklists. They are by far the most reported gooses in West Virginia.

When to look

Numbers buildJan 22-31late January

PeakMar 15-21mid March

Fall back byMay 8-14the second week of May

FewestJun 22-30late June

Best: mid March. Here all year; numbers build from late January and fall back by the second week of May. Peak: on about 39% of West Virginia checklists.

Jancommon
Febpeak season
Marpeak season
Aprpeak season
Maypeak season
Juncommon
Julcommon
Augcommon
Sepcommon
Octcommon
Novcommon
Deccommon

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

Geese in West Virginia, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
Canada Goose	Jan 22-31	Jan 22-31	Mar 15-21	May 8-14	39%
Snow Goose	Nov 15-21	Nov 15-21	Dec 1-7	Feb 22-28	1.3%
Ross's Goose	Nov 15-21	Nov 15-21	Dec 1-7	Feb 15-21	1.1%
Greater White-fronted Goose	Nov 15-21	Nov 15-21	Dec 1-7	Mar 1-7	1.0%

Canada Goose
Snow Goose
Ross's 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia

Best counties for Canada Goose

Share of checklists at the peak

Barbour CountyBest late March · 40 checklists that week, 1,534 in all82%
Marion CountyBest early April · 161 checklists that week, 5,628 in all74%
Mason CountyBest early April · 44 checklists that week, 2,835 in all71%
Pleasants CountyBest mid March · 48 checklists that week, 1,671 in all65%
Tyler CountyBest late May · 28 checklists that week, 214 in all64%
Cabell CountyBest the second week of March · 112 checklists that week, 4,032 in all61%

Common questions

When do geese arrive in West Virginia?: Canada Geese are in West Virginia all year, but most are here in spring: numbers build from late January, peak in mid March (39% of checklists), and fall back by the second week of May. In the quietest week (late June) they are still on about 12% of checklists. They are by far the most reported gooses in West Virginia.
When do geese leave West Virginia?: Canada Geese never fully leave West Virginia: numbers fall back below half their usual rate by the second week of May, but some are still reported in every week, about 12% of checklists at the low.
When is the best time to see geese in West Virginia?: The Canada Goose is reported most often in mid March, on about 39% of West Virginia checklists.
Which geese are in West Virginia?: Canada Goose, Snow Goose, Ross's Goose, and Greater White-fronted Goose are reported regularly; the Canada Goose is the most common.