28/02/2024
Some helpful information here, including a reminder that it’s illegal to move nests once they are formed. Let’s let these beautiful birds nest safely and share the word
ITS ALMOST HERE! The time of year everyone dreads….even us. Its….NESTING SEASON!!
We have grown accustomed to sharing space with our friends from Canada, who no longer migrate and stay around all year, but we digress. Each spring we are reminded why these geese have earned the nickname “Cobra Chicken”. If you are observant you may notice the flocks of geese are now hanging out in pairs. Suddenly these normally docile birds are defending planters, grassy medians, shrubbery, and parking lots with outstretched, hissing beaks and flapping wings. While they cannot do any REAL damage, it is certainly disconcerting to have them lunge at you. They can pinch with their beaks and their wings can pack a wallop if they batter you with them. So what do we do during nesting season to keep everyone safe?
If the geese are hanging around or have begun a nest, try to block off the area and make it as unpleasant as possible for them. By all means, DO NOT FEED THEM! Use flapping towels, air horns, shiny streamers tied to strings, mylar balloons, short temporary fences, anything that will scare them away from the area. This must be done consistently because these birds are not birdbrains. They are smart, will learn they will not be hurt….and will stick around. Sometimes this will encourage them to take their nests elsewhere.
If they have laid eggs you are stuck with them for about a month. Canada Geese are named under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and protected under federal law. This means that the birds, eggs, and nests cannot be moved or destroyed without proper permitting. Once the eggs hatch, parents and goslings will leave to find water. In the meantime, rope or block off the area and put signs out to alert unsuspecting passers-by or customers. You may even need to place signs directing people to another entrance for a while.
With either a little preventative action, or a lot of patience, we can all get through NESTING SEASON! And just so you will be ready, they will probably come back next year. Get to planning!
