Vancouver Canada Geese feeding on the Mendenhall Wetlands

In winter these geese feed on the sprouts of Lyngby’s Sedge (Carex lyngbyei)
Protein and nitrogen requirements of Canada Geese are highest in late winter and spring.
Why are the sedge sprouts more nutritious at this time?
As the greenery fades in the fall, a good deal of the nutrient value of the sedge moves down to the top of the root stock, where it is available for the initial growth surge in spring.
Geese search for and dig out this high-quality food, which provides a good deal of their conditioning for nesting.
To learn more about the Mendenhall Wetlands look at Mendenhall Wetlands
To learn about Canada Geese look at this essay by Mary Willson.