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- Info
Characteristics of feeding sites used by urban-suburban flocks of Canada geese in Connecticut
| Author: |
Conover, M.R.; Kania, G.S. |
| Date: |
1991 |
| Periodical: |
Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| Abstract: |
Nonmigratory populations of Canada geese (Branta Canadensis) have become established in many urban and suburban areas of North America during the last 50 years (Allin 1980, Chasko and Conover 1988). During much of the year, grazing on lawns has been a primary food source for these populations. Most landowners like seeing geese on their property, and some landowners encouraged geese to remain by providing food. Eventually, goose grazing on lawns and gardens and the accumulation of goose feces on lawns caused many landowners to view geese as a nuisance (Conover and Chasko 1985, Chasko and Conover 1988).
Unfortunately, nuisance goose problems are difficult to alleviate. Hunting in urban and suburban areas often is restricted by local ordinances and limited hunter access (Conover and Chasko 1985). Methiocarb has been used to repel geese from foraging sites where they are a nuisance (Conover 1985), but this chemical can no longer be used in the U.S. as a goose repellent. Techniques to scare geese, such as harassment, swan decoys, and shooting blank cartridges, have been tried at many golf courses in the eastern U.S. without much success (Conover and Chasko 1985).
One possible method for reducing goose problems is site modification. Little has been published on foraging site characteristics that are important to urban-suburban flocks of geese. In this study, we examined selected characteristics of sites in Connecticut where Canada geese were considered a nuisance by landowners. We contrasted nuisance sites with sites that geese either avoided or frequented in small enough numbers that the landowners did not consider the geese a nuisance. Our objective was to identify characteristics of nuisance sites that could be modified to make these sites less acceptable to geese. We also determined whether nuisance goose problems were more common where local ordinances restrict goose hunting or the discharge of firearms
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