Goose flight date night at FortWhyte Alive

Posted October 04, 2017 | Author Alexis McEwen

There is something about watching thousands of Canada Geese converge at the same place at the same time that is simply magical. Which is why you should take my suggestion and share that magic with someone special in your life. Here’s why my date night during a Sunset Goose Flight at FortWhyte Alive was so perfect.

Beautiful scenery

Watching the sunset has long been a romantic staple. And the sunset over Lake Devonian at FortWhyte Alive certainly lived up to expectations. On a clear fall evening, the sky was painted in a brilliant palette of oranges and golds. And then when the sun finally dipped behind the horizon, the dark gently descended like a velvet drape, with rich blues and soft purples.

Awe-inspiring show

And even though the sunset was incredible, it was only the backdrop to the real show: thousands of migrating geese, gulls and birds that come to rest on the water after a day spent feeding. These geese and other birds are getting ready to migrate south for the winter and FortWhyte Alive is an important staging area — an area where they come to gather in flocks, where there is protection in numbers.

About half an hour after the sun set, the show started. The first wave we saw land on the water wasn’t the geese we expected, but rather the common Ring-billed Gull. We also saw Double crested Cormorants hanging out on a tree next to the lake. In a thrilling domino effect of wings, we watched the gulls take off and make way for the star attraction that we could hear in the distance: flocks of Greater Canada Geese – up to 15,000 of them descending en masse. While it isn’t out of the ordinary to see Canada Geese — there are about 100,000 in Winnipeg after all — we certainly weren’t used to seeing them like this. It was pretty incredible.

Reasons to cuddle

After the sun sets, even on the warmest of fall days, there is always little chill to the air. Watching the evening goose flights is the perfect opportunity to cuddle up and have a conversation. And if you really need to get warm, then head over to the bonfire. We cooked bannock over the fire, the flaky dough filled with a variety of topping options. Or you can roast marshmallows for s’mores, that classic bonfire treat.

Affordable atmosphere

A date night at FortWhyte’s Sunset Goose Flights can cost as little as $10. From Wednesdays to Sundays until October 22, entry after 5:00 pm is only $5 per person or $20 per car load. So even if you can’t find a babysitter, bring the kids! The concession offers a variety of food options, including hotdogs, veggie burgers, popcorn and cookies. You can even enjoy a beer or a glass of wine. Tickets for bannock and s’mores are only $2 each. And adding to the atmosphere on our Friday night date was the music of local band House Hand Shake. The next scheduled performance is by Skylar Bouchard on Friday, October 13.

Or you can even opt to take your date up a notch (do you have a special occasion coming up?) and reserve your table for a Goose Flight Feast at FortWhyte’s Buffalo Stone Café. For only $51.75 per person, you can take in the scenic views while enjoying a three-course dinner prepared by the chefs of Diversity Foods.

Examples of true love and loyalty

In addition to all the reasons above, the Sunset Goose Flights are a perfect date night option because the evening is filled with examples of what is most important in life. During the interpretive presentation that happens half an hour before sunset, you’ll learn that Canada Geese mate for life. Typically, Canada Geese choose a mate at 3 years old. With the life expectancy for Canada Geese at around 20 years, that’s a pretty long relationship. Their bond is so strong that even if one of the pair is injured, the other will stay by their side. And both the goose (female) and the gander (male) play a role in raising their young, which contributes to Canada Geese being known as good parents. And even though they are bonded for life, every year still they go through a courtship ritual to prepare for mating — a vow renewal of sorts. Or maybe just an extra special date night…

About The Author

I'm Alexis, Communications Manager for Travel Manitoba. I write about all kinds of awesome things that happen in Manitoba. And when I'm not writing about awesome things, I do my best to get out and experience them with my husband and two young sons.

Communications Manager