Torrington is the 2024 Canada Goose Rest Stop of Connecticut

It's not often that I'm startled or stunned by wildlife, but damn Torrington, the wildlife up here continues to impress. If you've been walking along the Naugatuck River in town lately like I have, you may want to watch where you step, Torrington appears to be the rest stop on the 2024 Canada Goose migration through Connecticut.

I could hear the sound of dozens of honks as I was approaching the walking trail by the John Toro Sports Complex and dog park in the South End of Torrington. As I got near the river, I was treated to the sight of 100-150 Canadian Geese staring up and my dog and I from the water. What was causing the honks and commotion? There was a hawk on the riverbank, scanning the crowd for a weakling.

According to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and ct.gov, the Canada Goose is Connecticut's largest native waterfowl species. They can range from 6 to 13 pounds, and measure 22 to 28 inches. Contrary to what I believed, the highest concentrations of Canada Geese in Connecticut occur in Fairfield, New Haven, and Hartford counties. Canada geese are monogamous, and pairs remain together for life.

Most of the migrant geese found in Connecticut breed in Labrador, Quebec, or Newfoundland, Canada, arrive around here in October, and will continue further South in mid-January. You should see flocks of them flying in their signature V-shaped formations honking overhead over the next month. Until then, watch where you step along the Naugatuck River in Torrington.