The Peninsula Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist Program is partnering with residents of the Coventry Subdivision of York County and the non-profit group GeesePeace to humanely reduce the number of Canada Geese plaguing the neighborhood. The goal of this project is to eliminate the need for a USDA round-up and euthanization of the birds that is scheduled for late spring. Thirteen of the chapter’s volunteers joined York County residents at the Tabb Library on Saturday, March 13th to receive information and training on the program by GeesePeace President David Feld.
GeesePeace President David Feld explains the GeesePeace Program to volunteers at the Tabb Library in York County.
The GeesePeace Program, which has been successful at reducing nuisance Canada Goose populations in Northern Virginia, New York and as far away as Stratford-upon-Avon, England, promotes a three tiered program that includes Population Control, Site Aversion and a No Feeding Policy. Population Control involves the identification of nests and the oiling of eggs (in the early stages of incubation) to reduce the number of goslings hatched in the area. Without goslings to care for, the parent geese will fly north on a molt migration in advance of losing their flight feathers. If they have goslings to care for, the geese will stay behind through their molt, which will leave them flightless and remaining in the area throughout the summer.
Site Aversion tactics can include the use of Border Collies to herd and harass the geese away from the area, and even involves the use of life-jacketed Collies on kayaks and canoes to chase geese off of ponds and lakes. The No Feeding Policy discourages individuals near the population control sites from feeding the geese, which not only encourages the geese to remain in the area, but also is harmful to them (especially feeding foods processed for human consumption).
The project will commence at the end of March, the beginning of nesting season. If successful, the USDA round up will be unnecessary and the program will expand next year to include surrounding neighborhoods, ensuring the continued effective control of these populations in the most humane way possible.
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