Canada Geese Stella & Mac Welcome New Chicks

The has always been a local favorite, but it turns out, humans aren’t the only fans at the local restaurant. A pair of Canada geese, Stella and Mac, has been coming back to the Tides each year to raise their goslings, according to Tides’ manager Julie Helberg.

On Sunday morning, seven of the nine eggs hatched around 8 a.m. Since then, the couple has lost one of the goslings.

Helberg said they place a whiskey barrel outside every year for Stella, who prefers daffodils in her temporary home. She also collects moss to make a blanket for the eggs.

“It’s fun,” said Helberg. “Everyone comes out to watch them.”

When I stopped by the restaurant on Monday around 1:30 p.m., the family was out in the water and nowhere to be found, but Helberg reassured that they always come back to the Tides for the night.

The new family of eight is expected to hang around the harbor for a while, but don’t wait too long…like kids, the goslings grow up fast!