It used to be that Canada geese were merely visitors to Hampton Roads, leaving when migratory birds flew north for the spring. Today, with an abundance of lakes, parks, golf courses and other well-manicured land and lawn areas, the species has adapted to life in Virginia year-round. For some people here, feeding them is a pastime — but these geese each produce 2 to 3 pounds of fecal matter every day, and that can cause environmental and health problems.
Not only is geese poop unsightly and smelly, but it also contributes to water pollution, presenting a risk to public health with disease-causing bacteria including C. botulinum, salmonella and E. coli. In addition, tossing stale bread, crackers, popcorn and other high-carbohydrate human foods to geese can cause poor health and deformities for the geese, such as “angel wing.” This irreversible condition causes the bird’s wing to stick out from the side, rather than lying against the body, and can prevent the bird from flying.
Canada geese populations are protected under federal and state laws, which limit what can be done to control their numbers. To prevent them from becoming a nuisance bird, the best thing to do — for them and for natural resources — is to not feed them.
According to the National Audubon Society, wild geese can access plenty of food in their habitat to sustain their diet of stems, grass shoots, sedges and aquatic plants, along with seeds, berries and grains. Occasionally they may eat insects, mollusks, crustaceans and small fish.
To help local geese reach safe open spaces where they can graze on their natural diet, consider these strategies:
- Do not feed the geese; they will find food on their own.
- Use signs to discourage public feeding of geese in areas where they congregate.
- Make the habitat unattractive for geese nesting by planting tall, thick, native plants on shorelines.
- Limit the amount of grassy open spaces around ponds and other water sources.
- Add 24-inch barrier fencing with 3-inch openings around ponds and water sources.
- Use humane geese repellent sprays where geese tend to congregate.
- Curb geese with noisemakers, professional herding dogs or predator decoys.
And please, do not harass geese during molting season, which is late June to August.
On a final note, geese work well as a team. They fly together in V formation, communicate with one another and look out for their teammates when one is sick or injured. Being this smart, they can also find food on their own. Letting these birds fend for themselves is good for the goose, the gander — and the environment.
Katie Cullipher and Rebekah Eastep are team leaders of the askHRgreen.org public awareness and education campaign for the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission. For more ways to make an environmental difference in Hampton Roads, visit askHRgreen.org.
