‘HAVE you ever seen one of these wonderful birds?’ Parks Victoria asks on Facebook.
Margaret Ryan has seen plenty of Cape Barren Geese right across from her home in Corinella.
Named after Cape Barren Island in Bass Strait the Cape Barren Goose (Cereopsis novaehollandiae) is a very large, pale grey goose with a relatively small head.
They are unique to Australia and are often seen in pairs.
At Coronet Bay you are more likely to see Cape Barren Geese in large groups.
Very common on Phillip Island and Churchill Island and to some extent around Venus Bay and Tarwin Lower the Cape Barren Goose is a recent visitor to Corinella.
“We often saw kangaroos in town,” said Ms Ryan.
“Kangaroos with the cows and around the houses but not Cape Barren Geese.”
According to Ms Ryan a handful of Cape Barren Geese first arrived a few years ago but at last count that number had grown to 35 geese.
“They are huge, but they’re not a nuisance,” said Ms Ryan.
“I’ve seen them up close at Phillip Island.”
Cape Barren Geese are part of the Phillip Island Wildlife Plan.
According to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) Cape Barren Geese numbers have increased by an estimated 354 to 3120 geese since 2023.
DEECA attributes the increase in geese numbers to ideal habitat, abundant food resources and a lack of natural predators.
“The population growth and movement of Cape Barren Geese is the focus of a current research project to form an understanding of the species’
migration patterns, impacts and growth,” said DEECA.
“The research is beginning to uncover information not previously known about the species and will continue until 2027 which will subsequently inform future management strategies.”
The Cape Barren Goose is described as a grazing bird, predominantly eating common island tussock grass as well as spear grass and various herbs and succulents.
Legumes and pasture grasses are also on the Cape Barren Goose’s menu.
Cape Barren Geese are now fully protected in all states and territories.
The geese were once hunted to near extinction for food and eggs and culled as agricultural pests.
The 21st Spring Cape Barren Goose survey for Phillip Island (Millowl) was undertaken in early November 2024 by a team consisting of volunteers, interns, local landholders, Bunurong Land Council and Phillip Island Nature Parks.
A PhD project from the University of Melbourne commenced in August 2024.
100 GPS loggers were fitted to track the movements of geese with another 200 numbered plastic collars planned to be attached over the next year.
To date extensive movements of geese have been recorded.
Some geese have travelled almost 100 kilometres from Rhyll to a reservoir near Morwell while others reached Yanakie near Wilsons Promontory about 95 km from Phillip Island.
More reading on the Cape Barren Goose can be found at cdn.environment.sa.gov.au/clelandwildlifepark/docs/September-2023.pdf or the Australian Museum at australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/cape-barren-goose/
