Not endangered, but still protected CANADA GEESE

By Marilyn McKinley

Ohio certified naturalist volunteer

We have all seen it, a mother goose waddling across the street followed by cute little goslings.

Ahhhh … but it seems as if they congregate (or leave evidence that they have been) in all the places we would rather not have them.

I remember when I was a kid it was unusual to see Canada geese. Not anymore.

Now we have a big problem: “deposits.” They deposit their droppings around ponds, golf courses, parks, sports fields, lawns, docks and sometimes patios.

No wonder they are now viewed as pests by many.

Another issue, if they think they or their nests are threatened, they will attack.

When my son was 3, we were walking alongside a pond. A goose came running, wings outstretched, and grabbed his leg. A nasty bruise was the result. To this day my son tries to maintain a safe distance.

All migratory birds, including Canada geese are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The act declares that it is illegal for any person, agency, or organization to pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, or capture any migratory bird, eggs or nests, or even to possess feathers.

The problem now is the successful re-introduction of a generally nonmigratory species.

Because Canada geese flourished and in some instances, became such a nuisance, in 1999, an act was passed to allow states to issue permits to help control nuisance goose populations.

Canada geese are large birds, weighing up to 20 pounds, having a wing span of up to 5 feet, and stretching about 38 inches in length.

Their droppings may weigh more than 2 pounds per day, and they leave them wherever the urge strikes them. Unfortunately, droppings can spread salmonella, E coli, listeria, Giardia and coliform to ponds, grasses and areas surrounding ponds.

In addition, because goose feces contain high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus, algae control becomes more difficult.

There is a lot of controversy about what should be done to control or contain these birds.

People like to feed them in parks. Please don’t. They quickly adapt to the handouts and become reluctant to leave an area that has become a feeding ground.

Also, giving them human food does not provide geese with a balanced diet. Many parks and wildlife areas prohibit feeding. Just don’t feed them, because you become a major cause of the problem.

Loud noisemakers can scare the geese and encourage them to move on. But they are not dumb. They will become accustomed to the noise. Neighbors may complain, not only of the honking, but the noisemakers.

Geese can destroy property. They eat turf grass and will eat ornamentals.

I noticed one day a large office complex had planted many marigolds. The next day I drove by. Not a bloom in sight. You guessed it – geese.

You can try to deter them from visiting your property in the first place. Some success has been accomplished with the use of balloons, scarecrows, flags, etc.

Planting shorelines of ponds with tall grasses and natural vegetation will deter them.

A discreet, taut wire or string fence around a pond works great. Other strategies include dogs and swans.

I still like watching them fly over in formation and enjoy the “honking” occasionally. But I would rather they keep on flying.

To learn all about them, including conflict management and damage prevention strategies, go to http://go.osu.edu/coping.SClB