THE FROG BLOG!

Canadian Geese

Not so long ago, to see a Canada goose was rare.  Now, they are common all across the country.  So common in fact that, in many instances, they have become a nuisance.  Canadian geese, as beautiful as they may be, can make a big mess for pond owners.  The birds are divided into two categories: migratory and resident.  Migratory Canada geese, as the name implies, migrate yearly.  Resident Canadian geese tend to stay in one place, however, and therein lies much of the problem.  Once established in a nesting ground, the geese are very difficult to get rid of and an over-abundance of them can have a negative impact on the area. 

Canadian geese are attracted to open spaces with lots of visibility and open water making many urban residential and commercial locations prime real estate for the birds.  Landscaping that is attractive to humans, manicured grassy areas around ponds for example, is attractive to flocks of geese as well and provides perfect nesting grounds.  Furthermore, being grazers, the highly fertilized lawns of such locations provide a good food source.  Canadian geese have a life-span of 25-30 years and are very adaptable species with a high adult survival rate.  A mated pair will nest yearly with an average clutch of 4-7 eggs and the hatchlings have a good survival rate.  The vast amounts of desirable habitat, protection provided by federal and state laws, the adaptability and survival rate of the geese, have combined to create a US population more than a million birds.  Quite a comeback for a bird that was once almost extinct. 
 
Canadian geese are beautiful birds and add aesthetic appeal to many ponds.  Not only do the birds add to the beauty of many parks and public areas, but some states allow for hunting of the birds, giving them recreational value as well.  However, the flocks of resident birds, once they have established in a location, can have many adverse effects on an area.  Large flocks can trample and compact grassy areas, leave copious amounts of droppings, carry disease, and can become aggressive, particularly while nesting.  Goose droppings can cause slippery conditions, smell foul, transmit disease such as e-coli, and contribute to algae blooms in ponds by adding extra nitrogen and phosphorus to water.  While nesting, the male will aggressively defend the nest as the female sits on the eggs.  An angry male, though not a big threat to most adults, may bite and could hurt a child.  Since the geese like areas frequented by humans as well, the preceding issues can cause problems for people. 
 
If you have an over population of geese at your pond, what is to be done?  The answer is not an easy one, and most fixes tend to be temporary due to the adaptable nature of the bird.  There are many humane methods that can be employed and greatest success seems to be achieved by using a combination of two or more methods.  Rule number one is do not feed the geese.  Though it may be fun to see a goose up-close, by feeding them, you’re encouraging them to stay.  Furthermore, they may become aggressive which can be dangerous, particularly to children.  Visual and auditory methods can work, especially when combined.  Use of flashing lights, such as used in products like AwayWithGeese (http://www.aquadocinc.com/main.php?cPath=30), mylar balloons, and decoys (http://www.aquadocinc.com/main.php?cPath=20) are all common visual methods.  Auditory methods, such as air horns and shooting blanks, can also be employed (always check with your local authorities in advance).  The use of dogs, Border Collies in particular, and motion activated water jets are popular means of scaring off the geese, also known as hazing.  Environmental modifications can be made too.  Adding rock walls, fencing, and/or philly-stran to make access to water more difficult can be helpful.  Also, the presence of longer grasses the geese are not likely to eat and where predators may hide make the area less appealing to the birds.  When possible, it is best to employ these methods in combination and as early as possible before the flock gets too established for best results.

It is also possible to move flocks.  This is done during molting when the birds are flightless.  Flocks are netted or herded into pens and relocated.  However, Canadian geese have very strong homing instincts and will often return unless moved a very far distance and/or as juveniles.  Hunting is also employed to thin or eradicate flocks.  ALWAYS consult your state or local wildlife service if this extreme measure is required as the species is protected and hunting is regulated and/or illegal.  There are also methods of disrupting reproduction such as egg oiling or addling.  Again ALWAYS check with your local and or state wildlife authorities prior to pursuing any of these methods.  In general, these methods are only to be performed by a licensed professional.

The Canadian goose has made an extraordinary recovery in the US.  The once rare migratory bird is now a common sight all across the land and the population is expected to continue to increase.  With this increase, management of the flocks is often necessary as they come into contact and sometimes conflict with humans.  AQUA DOC has many products and suggestions that may assist in minimizing the conflict to help make the contact more pleasing.  For more information contact us at 800-689-5253 or email aquadocinc@aol.com.

 

Stay Warm!

~ The Frogger Blogger

References:

http://icwdm.org/handbook/birds/CanadaGeese/HumanHealth.aspx

http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs1214/

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nrcs.usda.gov%2FInternet%2FFSE_DOCUMENTS%2Fnrcs141p2_018050.pdf&ei=N5uuVNmTNYrQeNPHgagK&usg=AFQjCNHUZF7vf8AYPRDv-zWk9YowQngBdA&sig2=8b6MLWz3_-UpS87IMz1tFw&bvm=bv.83134100,d.dmo 
http://www.dupageforest.com/Education/Education_Centers/Willowbrook/Living_With_Wildlife_in_DuPage_County/Waterfowl.aspx
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC243396/
http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/420/420-203/420-203.html
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/geese/tips/solving_problems_canada_geese.html
http://www.rodalenews.com/geese-control