The barnacle goose, also mistakenly known as the bustard, is increasingly present in municipal parks, golf clubs, on the banks of urban waterways, in ponds and on farmland. Bucolic in small numbers, its presence can quickly become problematic due to the exponential growth of its population, which feeds exclusively on plants.
The lawns of golf courses and municipal parks are particularly attractive to geese, which prefer open areas and find food in abundance. The problem lies in the fact that an adult goose produces up to 1 kg of droppings per day. The presence of a large goose population quickly renders soccer fields, lawns, bike paths, waterways and other recreational facilities unsanitary. They are also carriers of pathogens that they can transmit to humans and pets, such as avian flu, salmonellosis and cholera.
In the farming world, geese, which feed on grass, leaves and berries, but also on tubers, alfalfa, oats, wheat, corn, rye and barley, will consume crops, reduce yields and contribute to soil erosion through overgrazing of streamside areas.
The question that arises, and increasingly so in view of the exponential increase in the Canada goose population, is how to keep them away without injuring them or harming the species.
Goose fences and nets: effective ways to keep geese away
Geese won't fly over a fence when accompanied by their fledglings. Instead, they will walk between the water and their feeding areas, so as not to leave them alone. They are also unable to fly when they are moulting, a period which lasts around 3 weeks. Placing nets near accesses to lakes, ponds and wetlands and grazing areas therefore discourages them from settling there.
Geese also prefer open areas where they can see predators from a distance and have clear, unobstructed flight paths. Clearly visible netting stretched between trees to block flight paths will make the area much less desirable.
Similarly, netting over a pond or new plantation will prevent geese from gaining access.
Important point to remember: these methods prevent geese from settling in an undesirable location and encourage them to choose an area that is just as favorable to them, without harming humans or agricultural activities.
The ideal time to install these nets and barriers is in spring and early summer. To find out more about how to scare geese away from your facilities, download this Environment Canada manual: https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2010/ec/CW66-283-2010-fra.pdf
