Sumner Welcomes Web-Footed Family With Open Arms

The  in Sumner have a few extra residents this spring.

In March, a pair of geese decided to nest in the pond in front of the assisted-living facility, at 15519 62nd Street Court East. The birds welcomed a quintet of goslings over Easter weekend in late April.

“One day we realized two geese were staying in the pond,” said resident Ruby Moody. “Where they came from we don’t know; I don’t think anyone knows."

Laura Fehrenbacher, Stafford Suites' director of community relations, said a lot of ducks and geese have flown in and out of the pond, but that they have never had long-time guests.

Fehrenbacher speculated that the geese possibly opted to nest in the Stafford Suites’ pond because none of their natural predators are around, making it a safe area.

“Everyone from the surrounding complexes come and watch the geese," she said, "and residents take daily walks to visit them."

However, the male goose is quite protective and won’t let anyone get too close to his family. He was the same way when his partner was nesting, Moody said. 

He reportedly sticks out his neck, starts flapping his wings and makes a hissing noise.

“We couldn’t get too close or the male would chase us away,” Moody said. “So we went as close as we felt we should.”

Resident Leola Johnson said she has enjoyed watching the five goslings grow.

Once "fluffy, yellow and adorable," they are now gray with long necks and their wings are beginning to develop.

“It is like you see them grow day to day,” she said. “I like to go up the steps of my corridor and watch them through the window.”

Another resident, Ed Matlock, said that he sees the geese flapping their wings to encourage the goslings to do the same. The family takes daily trips from the pond to a drainage ditch behind the facility.

“When they learn how to fly and fly away, people will miss them,” Moody said.