Options for Controlling Populations at Inland Parks, Storm Ponds and Public Areas

1) Passive Control Techniques

Habitat Modification

As geese are grazers, the shortness and tenderness of grass turf in parks plays a big role in their attraction to the park. Aside from the removal of turf altogether or the replacement of the current palatable turf variety for coarser less palatable turf species, grass length is the most cost effective control method with any kind of long term effectiveness. Increasing the length of grass makes it tougher and less palatable for geese, therefore reducing the attraction to a food source. There is no associated additional cost to letting grass grow and decreasing the frequency of cutting would actually be a savings to the Parks Operations budget. This methodology has been successfully used at some storm water management ponds in Windsor but does generate some complaint from aesthetics and trash and litter accumulation.

Also important to the success of this program is a public information campaign to identify the problems with feeding geese from an attraction and nuisance response. Consultation and support from local residents is a critical component to the success of this program. This control measure IS suggested for consideration.

Physical Exclusion

The ease of which geese can transition from an aquatic environment to terrestrial foraging areas plays a significant role in their attraction to a park. An exclusion technique often used is the placement of physical barriers at the shoreline transition using either structural material (trip wire, string, fencing) or the placement of coarse woody vegetation (shrubs, thorny plants). It is speculated the short powered flight to defeat the exclusion barrier requires more energy than individuals are willing to expend and the ability to quickly escape to the safety of the watercourse is compromised. Also for the period of time in early summer both adults and goslings are flightless so escape to water is critical and the attracting food source is unreachable so they move on. Excluding geese from entering parkland has a number of logistical challenges and could be difficult to achieve however due to the existing confinement of some parks with storm water ponds this control technique could be assessed on a park to park basis. This control measure IS suggested for consideration.

2) Active Control Techniques

Behaviour modification

Geese do respond well to behaviour modifying techniques if they are deployed so as not to habituate individuals to the perceived threat. Typically utilized are