The Canada goose, often mistakenly called “outarde” (bustard) in Quebec, 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 Canada geese, which prefer open areas and find plenty of food there. The problem is that an adult goose produces up to 1 kg of droppings per day. A large goose population quickly makes soccer fields, lawns, bike paths, bodies of water and other recreational facilities unsanitary. Geese also carry pathogens they can transmit to humans and pets, such as avian flu, salmonellosis and cholera.
In agriculture, Canada geese feed on grass, leaves and berries, but also on tubers, alfalfa, oats, wheat, corn, rye and barley. They eat crops, reduce yields and contribute to soil erosion by overgrazing the areas along streams.
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
Canada geese will not fly over a barrier when they are accompanied by goslings that cannot fly yet. Instead, they walk between the water and their feeding areas so as not to leave their young alone. They are also unable to fly while moulting, a period that lasts four to six weeks between late May and late July. Placing nets near the access points to lakes, ponds and wetlands and near 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 nets are installed in April, before hatching, and removed in September. To learn more about ways to scare off Canada geese and keep them away from your facilities, download this Environment Canada manual: https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2010/ec/CW66-283-2010-eng.pdf
Filmar offers this turnkey service in the Montreal region: see Goose 360.
