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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

HONK if you hate 'em

Some people go to great lengths to try to keep pesky geese away

By: Britt Harvey

Posted: 06/13/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

WAYNE.GLOWACKI@FREEPRESS.MB.CA Enlarge Image

A family of Canada geese feed along Omand's Creek in May.

Flashing lights, electric fences, mechanical alligators, teams of dogs: For all the methods that have been used to repel Canadian geese, you'd think they were a species composed of criminal masterminds.

And to some, they are.

Enlarge Image

A gosling in Assiniboine Park in May. (DAVID LIPNOWSKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS )

The goose lowdown

Where do they like to live?

Geese like low areas with lots of open water, which provides them with safety from predators. For nesting, Canada geese like uphill areas near water.

What do they eat?

Canada geese can spend up to 12 hours a day eating. They eat grasses, roots, leaves, waste crops and grain.

When do they migrate?

Canada geese usually start migrating south when the ground begins to freeze in the fall. Some geese travel up to 1,000 kilometres in one day to get to their winter location. Spring migration starts in late winter, and the geese make several stops along the way to feed and rest before reaching their breeding grounds.

When do they breed?

Breeding takes place earlier in the year, with nesting usually happening from late March to early May. Once the eggs are laid, the female incubates them until they hatch around 28 days later. And be careful, Winnipeggers. During the nesting and incubation period, the male stays near the nest and keeps a close eye on the female and the eggs. If a predator should threaten them, the male will protect the nest.

-Ducks Unlimited Canada.

"We've tried everything," said Bill James, manager of Niakwa Country Club, with more than a hint of exasperation in his voice. "We had a border collie that would chase them off the grounds, but as soon as it left they came right back."

To add insult to injury, the birds seemed almost laughably carefree in the faces of their opponents.

"They know we're not going to hurt them," said James. "We set up a flashing light to keep them away, but customers joked all we were doing was giving them a landing pad."

While geese on a golf course might be annoying to customers, the situation is even worse for those who have to wade through a minefield of bird droppings to walk the dog in the morning.

Rodney Penner, City of Winnipeg naturalist, said a plan to humanely control the city's goose population is underway, but it will be some time before real change can occur.

"Right now we're talking to the province and the federal government," said Penner. "But the population is protected under federal jurisdiction, so we will need their approval."

Penner acknowledged the errant geese have become an issue for many Winnipeggers.

"It's around the retention basins that a lot of the birds seem to gather," said Penner. "People are also concerned around Bishop Grandin and Pembina where the birds frequently cross the road."

Bill McDonald, executive director of the Winnipeg Humane Society, also said he's heard complaints about the birds.

Besides basic repelling methods, there is not much you can do, he said.

"There are a lot off issues to deal with here. A lot of it has to do with jurisdiction. Who should be taking care of the birds, the city? The developers that build retention ponds?"

McDonald acknowledged the difficulty of getting rid of our pesky feathered friends.

"People have tried everything," said McDonald. "The only thing I can see working is population control. But no one wants a group of marksmen at their retention pond on a Sunday morning."

Barring the notion of heading out with a 12 gauge at 4 a.m. to nab the troublesome birds, there are a few other ways some Winnipeggers have tried to control them.

"We have a device that shoots out water on a timer," said Lincoln Poulin, general manager of Poulin Pest Control Services. "It bothers the birds, but it doesn't harm them."

Refraining from harming the birds is of the upmost importance, said Poulin, noting Winnipeggers have contacted him to see if they could shake the eggs or damage the nest.

"Absolutely not," said Poulin. "These birds can't be harmed; you need a permit from the government to do that, but there are some effective methods you can use."

Besides the water shooter, people have used flashing lights, a mechanical alligator they placed in a retention pond and electric fences to keep the birds at bay. There are also noise machines you can use.

But all are useless if you wait too long.

"It's all about timing," said Poulin.

"You want to start early when the snow is just melting. If you wait until the eggs are there, you're too late."

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 13, 2010 A6

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