Canada Geese are beautiful birds, who can be admired for their determination. Most of us marvel at the impressive amount of miles they cover migrating between Canada and Mexico each year, and we admire the lovely “V” formation they fly in while completing the annual trek. It's during their many stops along the way that we are less impressed by their habits. Their large flocks temporarily settle around municipal ponds and parks, leaving fecal reminders (up to 2lbs per day per bird!) in their wake and overwhelming other wildlife, like ducks and swans. Our lakes and ponds fall victim to the influx of these birds, prompting officials in many municipalities to reach for their shotguns. But there are humane ways to deter them. Below, a list of the most important measures to take (listed in order of importance) to reduce the influx of Canada geese:
1.
INCREASE THE NUMBER OF “DO NOT FEED WATERFOWL”
SIGNS AROUND WATER AREAS. PLACEMENT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF
PARKING AREAS IS IMPERATIVE, AS IS PLACEMENT BY TOWN SIGNS AND ON
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARDS. Residents need
to understand that feeding the birds is not helping them, but merely drawing
them to the pond and overwhelming the community. This does not endear them to townsfolk, but
frustrates many by impeding their quality of life in shared community spaces,
leading to drastic measures being taken—like killing the offenders.
2.
REMOVE PICNIC TABLES FROM AROUND WATER AREAS AND REPLACE WITH BENCHES. Food draws the birds in. Remove the ability to picnic right next to ponds and lakes (and remove all but one trash can as well), and the diminished food
supply will cut down on the number of birds congregating around shared water spaces.
3.
CREATE A BUFFER STRIP AROUND COMMUNITY WATER FEATURES CONSISTING
OF TALL, STIFF NATIVE GRASSES, PERENNIALS AND BOULDERS TO DISCOURAGE EASY
ACCESS TO WATER BY GEESE, WHILE STILL ALLOWING RESIDENTS ACCESS TO WATER WITH
RELATIVE EASE .
Natives are less expensive (no need to introduce them to a foreign site
so they will establish properly, thereby reducing the chance of dying and
replacement plants), moisture tolerant and require little or no maintenance
once established. Boulders should be at
least 2’ around in order to be effective.
4.
PLACE 15-20 FOOT-WIDE GRAVEL PATHS AROUND PERIMETERS OF PONDS AND LAKES. A GRAVEL PATH CONSISTING OF SHARP—NOT
ROUNDED—STONES WILL ALLOW COMFORT TO PEDESTRIANS AND DISCOMFORT TO WATERFOWL. The idea is to make the pond accessible to
humans and inaccessible to waterfowl.
Sharp stones are hard to navigate without shoes.
5.
PLANT HIGHLY AROMATIC PLANTS LIKE ARTEMESIA AND
MINT TO DISCOURAGE EGG-LAYING. PLANT CONCORD GRAPE VINES AT THE BASE OF
STRUCTURES (LIKE GAZEBOS AND BRIDGES) TO KEEP GEESE AWAY.
CANADA GEESE DESPISE CONCORD GRAPES AND GEESE REPELLENT SPRAYS USE
CONCORD GRAPES AS THE MAIN INGREDIENT IN THEIR FORMULAS. Also, plant common periwinkle as a
groundcover at peninsula sites and islands. Geese
dislike it and it helps with erosion.
6.
DO NOT PLACE MULCH ANYWHERE AROUND LAKES AND PONDS. CANADA GEESE LOVE TO SETTLE INTO
IT.
7.
KEEP EXISTING GRASS HIGHER THAN NORMAL, MAKING
IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE BIRDS TO WALK THROUGH IT.
8.
PERIODICALLY PLACE “PREDATOR” KITES OR BALLOONS
IN NEARBY TREE BRANCHES TO SCARE CANADA GEESE AWAY FORM ISOLATED AREAS. Many companies manufacture these types of
devices. The cost is relatively
inexpensive: about $40-$50 per balloon or kite.
9.
DO NOT
CUT BACK ORNAMENTAL GRASSES IN WINTER.
PLANTS PROVIDE OFF-SEASON “ARCHITECTURAL” INTEREST AND DISCOURAGE EARLY
SPRING ARRIVALS FROM SETTLING.
10. IF CREATING A NEW WATER FEATURE, DO NOT INCORPORATE ISLANDS OR
PENNINSULAS, AS THESE QUICKLY BECOME TO SAFE NESTING AREAS. DO
NOT ADD FOUNTAINS. BIRDS ARE ATTRACTED TO THEM.
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