Duck, Duck, Goose ....
I’ve been holding off on saying too much about the city’s plan for handling the increasing resident goose population to let things settle down a bit and to see what more should be said.
First of all we’re talking about the resident goose population which has grown from the low hundreds just a few short years ago to over 3000 today. These are the geese that have been born here and stay here the year ‘round. These are the critters who eat grass (their favorite food) in your yards, golf courses, school yards, soccer fields, etc and what goes in must come out so they poop accordingly. 27 times a day and about the same amount as an average human. Don’t ask me how I know or who measures these things but it’s been documented and I’m just passing this on.
Both the resident and migratory birds are protected by a treaty with Canada and up to now we haven’t been able to do much but watch them grow. However, recognizing the problem cities like ours are facing with uncontrolled growth, the Department of the Interior just released a ruling in August 2006 that would permit these cities to file for an application to take steps to control this growth – with local DNR approval.
The migrant birds are still untouchable and are not the “problem”. They are the “good birds”. They come for a stopover, stay for a short while, and then leave before they wear out their welcome - like any good guests you might have over the holidays.
The resident geese are the guys who nest, grow in population and, in ever expanding numbers, look for food in your yards, gardens, etc. These are the guys who are responsible for your slipping and sliding on the jogging paths or sidewalks, for your kids or grandkids coming home with green tinged clothing, hands … well you get the idea.
Information from our Public Health Department, Environmental Commission, the World Health Organization and others indicates that we should be on the alert for the potential of diseases and even eventually the spread of Avian Flu from these critters. We, the city council charged with protecting you, our citizens, see the need to become more proactive.
So, we’re working with the Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Management department to see what, if anything, we might do to control the population increase and possibly contain their interaction with our property and residents. Hunting and addling of eggs are two methods and it’s up to the DNR to make any recommendations and/or allow permits for their use.
Asking to limit feeding in our parks, not mowing grasses around storm water ponds, and developing a vegetative buffer around Silver Lake are other steps we are taking.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me.
First of all we’re talking about the resident goose population which has grown from the low hundreds just a few short years ago to over 3000 today. These are the geese that have been born here and stay here the year ‘round. These are the critters who eat grass (their favorite food) in your yards, golf courses, school yards, soccer fields, etc and what goes in must come out so they poop accordingly. 27 times a day and about the same amount as an average human. Don’t ask me how I know or who measures these things but it’s been documented and I’m just passing this on.
Both the resident and migratory birds are protected by a treaty with Canada and up to now we haven’t been able to do much but watch them grow. However, recognizing the problem cities like ours are facing with uncontrolled growth, the Department of the Interior just released a ruling in August 2006 that would permit these cities to file for an application to take steps to control this growth – with local DNR approval.
The migrant birds are still untouchable and are not the “problem”. They are the “good birds”. They come for a stopover, stay for a short while, and then leave before they wear out their welcome - like any good guests you might have over the holidays.
The resident geese are the guys who nest, grow in population and, in ever expanding numbers, look for food in your yards, gardens, etc. These are the guys who are responsible for your slipping and sliding on the jogging paths or sidewalks, for your kids or grandkids coming home with green tinged clothing, hands … well you get the idea.
Information from our Public Health Department, Environmental Commission, the World Health Organization and others indicates that we should be on the alert for the potential of diseases and even eventually the spread of Avian Flu from these critters. We, the city council charged with protecting you, our citizens, see the need to become more proactive.
So, we’re working with the Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Management department to see what, if anything, we might do to control the population increase and possibly contain their interaction with our property and residents. Hunting and addling of eggs are two methods and it’s up to the DNR to make any recommendations and/or allow permits for their use.
Asking to limit feeding in our parks, not mowing grasses around storm water ponds, and developing a vegetative buffer around Silver Lake are other steps we are taking.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me.
Labels: geese, goose, Silver Lake
posted by Bob Nowicki | 9:39 AM
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