March to mid May: Mid May to late June:

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2 As lake dwellers, wildlife in many forms will always be part of our ecological system. We will always have geese, beavers, otters and muskrats as well as squirrels and woodpeckers. Geese and woodpeckers are protected under the Migratory Bird Act. The subject of this document is to provide information on humane conflict resolution with Canada Geese. Below is important information to understand the cycle of geese and when we can and should interact. March to mid May: During mating and nesting (Late February through mid May) the Resident geese are in pairs, not in flocks. When resident Canada geese begin nesting in late March and early April, the mother goose is on her nest and the male (sentinel) goose is close by. Juvenile geese (under three years of age) do not nest, but may pair up or congregate in flocks. During the mating and nesting period geese should not be chased or harassed unless the nest is located in an area which is close to human activity (like and entrance to a building). If geese are chased during this period they will just find another nesting site nearby resulting in walk in goslings. Resident geese keep other geese off the lake as they are very territorial. Mid May to late June: In early May, when nesting is completed the resident Canada geese look for a safe place to molt. Since the plan includes extensive egg oiling, there will be no or only a few goslings allowing the resident geese to leave on a molt migration. This is the period that non resident geese come to Weatherby Lake to molt and must be encouraged to fly on along with our non producing resident geese. Late June to mid August: Most geese leave on a molt migration. Only injured geese and those geese that had goslings remain at the site. Most geese are flightless by mid June. Late August and on: Geese in other areas will have completed their molt so it is possible that geese from these locations will visit program sites as part of their pond hopping after the molt. In September the numbers of geese may increase with the start of the early hunting season as geese may fly out of the rural areas for sanctuary in the suburbs and cities. OUR GOAL IS TO COEXIST WITH OUR RESIDENT GEESE AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO GO ON A MOLT MIGRATION RATHER THAN MOLT AT WEATHERBY LAKE AND TO DETER NON RESIDENT GEESE FROM CHOOSING OUR LAKE AS AN MOLTING LOCATION. UNLESS THERE ARE GOSSLINGS, GEESE HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO FLY HUNDREDS OF MILES TO FIND A MOLTING LOCAITON.

3 This technique is effective because Canada Geese prefer large open areas that allow them room to take off and land, with clear lines of sight so they can see predators coming and make their escape. Barriers can be used to break large open areas into smaller spaces. When molting or escorting their young, geese are flightless so must be able to walk to grazing areas. Barriers impede access of geese to grazing and block their view of predators and escape routes to water. Barriers are typically placed at exits and entrances to ponds and wetlands or areas where geese may graze. The inconvenience and hazard associated with a barrier near preferred escape routes will discourage goose use in most cases. These barriers can include: Fences Fences can be made from woven wire, poultry netting, plastic netting, snow fencing, monofilament wire or electrified wire. Fences should be placed at adult and gosling height and should prevent geese and goslings from walking around, underneath or through them. Fences can block goose access to water and block walking routes favored by geese. Plant barriers Dense plantings of tall grass, shrubs, aquatic plants, trees and bushes can prevent geese from directly accessing shorelines, grazing areas or safe cover. Plants should be tall enough to prevent geese from seeing over them. Wide plantings are more effective than narrow ones.

4 Mylar Tape Barrier This tape, which is red on one side and silver on the other, is inexpensive and highly reflective. It is sometimes effective to string the tape horizontally, about 18 inches above the ground, along the perimeter of the area where geese are unwanted. Geese may be uncomfortable walking under the tape. This strategy is most effective when adults and young are flightless, the area to defend is small (a lawn instead of a football field), and the geese have other options nearby to fulfill their needs Instructions Hammer wooden stakes into the yard where geese enter, such as along the property line, with one stake every 20 feet. Leave approximately 2 feet of stake above ground. Attach Mylar scare tape approximately halfway up the first stake, securing it with duct tape. Create one or more twists in the tape before reaching the next stake. Continue attaching tape to the stakes until reaching the last stake. Add another row of tape like the first, with twists, near the top of the stakes. The scare tape has a different color on each side, which frightens geese. When attached to stakes, it works as a makeshift fence.

5 Geese have excellent eye sight and are frightened by unexpected visual signals. Visual bird deterrents work on bird s predatory fear of sudden movement and fear it may be a predator. It is extremely important to move all visual deterrents regularly as geese are very smart and will soon determine there is no threat if the deterrent remains stationary for a long period of time. Eyespot Balloons Like most birds, geese rely more on vision than on their other senses to avoid danger, so visual stimuli can be effective. Commercially available eyespot balloons are big, helium-filled balloons with large, eye-like images. (Big colored spots on three sides of any helium balloon can suggest eyes.) Tether balloons two should be adequate for an average size yard on a 20- to 40-foot 70 lb. test monofilament line attached to a stake or heavy object. Position this line where the wind will not tangle it in trees and utility lines; reposition it at least once per day.

6 Mylar Flags & Spinners or Plastic Spinners: (1) Mylar tape can be made into six-foot streamers and attached to the top of eight-foot poles. (2) Plastic spinners can be placed on a low metal tee bar or hung in a tree and can be purchased at City Hall. (3) Child pinwheels can be taped to stakes. Reposition once per day for best success. Plastic spinners

7 Flags From Plastic Bags: Flags and streamers work best in areas where there is a steady wind. The simplest design uses plastic garbage bags mounted on tall poles. Flag designs using a large plastic garbage bag on a pole. ****Note the wooden battens installed to prevent the flags from ripping. INSTRUCTIONS: You can use cardboard or wood battens to keep the bags from tearing.

8 Taste-aversion products and other chemical repellents may be applied directly to the problem area and will not permanently harm the geese. Drawbacks to repellents include the high costs of covering large areas, the need for frequent application during rainy stretches and during the growing season, odors associated with the few registered products, and their negative influence on the behavior of other wildlife. Products that contain the chemical methyl anthranilate can be applied to grass to make it taste awful to geese. If geese have used the area in the past, apply repellent before their return. Carefully read and follow all label and technical directions. INSTRUCTIONS: 4 packets of unsweetened grape Kool-Aid to one gallon of water and applied with a sprayer. Or mix with dry lawn fertilizer or lime INSTRUCTIONS: Make sure to follow manufacturers guidelines while using and applying goose chemical repellents.

9 It is extremely important for a decoys or effigies to be moved VERY regularly or the geese will become habituated after a very short time. Effigies typically only work when moved regularly and in combination with other techniques A lifelike decoy placed in "agony" position convinces geese there is a predator in the area. This has proven to be an excellent deterrent and repels all birds especially geese. Can be used on land and in water. Minimum of two decoys must be used MUST BE MOVED REGULARLY