Nuisance Waterfowl Presented By: Jimmy Gregory

Nuisance Waterfowl Decades of human intervention have altered the migratory patterns of waterfowl –Golf courses, parks, housing developments, reservoirs, etc. have made excellent habitat for waterfowl –These birds have become habituated to the supplemental feeding, manicured lawns, and man-made ponds –These artificial conditions support larger populations than would occur naturally –Some of these birds no longer have the urge or need to migrate

Nuisance Waterfowl The number one nuisance waterfowl is the Canada goose North America has two populations of Canada geese; migratory and resident The resident population is the one that causes the majority of the problems

Migratory v/s Resident Definitions from USFWS –Migratory Canada geese In the lower 48 states only during the fall, winter and in the spring of the year they migrate to northern Canada and Alaska to nest –Resident Canada geese Canada geese that that nest within the lower 48 states in the months of March, April, May, or June, and that reside within the lower 48 states in the months of April, May, June, July, and August

Resident Canada Goose History Original stock of pre-settlement resident Canada geese was almost eliminated following European arrival –Unregulated hunting –Egg-collecting –Wetland destruction Migratory Bird Act (1918) –Protection for migratory birds the responsibility of USFWS –Regulated hunting of migratory birds

Resident Canada Goose History Migratory Waterfowl Act (1929) –Established refuge system and research on migratory birds Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act (1934) –Created funding for migratory bird management Flyway councils were founded (1952) –Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, Pacific Assist with management within their region

Resident Canada Goose History Restoration programs for Canada geese were started in the 1940’s and 1950’s by state and federal agencies Restoration efforts in Kentucky during 1970’s and 1980’s There was a population explosion in the 1990’s and the restoration programs were terminated

Population Growth Reasons for rapid increases in population Temperate climates Stable breeding habitat conditions Low number of predators Abundance of preferred habitat Population increasing 6% per year 2003 resident population objective 2,108, resident population estimate 3,188,093

2003 Resident Canada Geese Populations 218, ,948 1, 1,292,298 1,148,536

Conflicts - Geese and Humans Rapid growing population of Canada geese are causing many conflicts between geese and humans Types of conflicts or damage nuisance geese cause –Property damage –Natural resource damage –Agriculture damage –Concerns about human health and safety

Types of Damage Property damage –Denudes grassy areas –Fecal droppings –Feather litter Where do problems occur? –Golf courses –Parks –Private lawns –Schools –Swimming areas

Types of Damage Natural resource damage –Degradation of water quality by fecal contamination –Erosion and shoreline destabilization by denuding of grasses –Loss of natural vegetation in marshes –Destruction of newly seeded wetland restoration –Feeding on food sources of migrant geese and other waterfowl

Types of Damage Agriculture damage –Destruction of crops –Contamination of farm ponds and water sources –Overgrazed pastures –Fecal droppings in feeding areas and on machinery

Types of Damage Human safety –Air strikes –Traffic hazards

Types of Damage Human health –Concern about disease transmission Unable to substantiate –High coliform counts –Increased amounts of E. coli at beaches –Goose floggings

Other Damage General nuisance associated with excessive feces areas frequented by people Feces reduces aesthetic appeal and reduces public use Businesses loose income from recreation areas Nuisance results in unfavorable public opinion and encourages negative attitudes towards Canada geese

Nuisance Geese Control Habitat modification –Fencing barriers –Undesirable plants –Plant shrubs –Restricted views

Nuisance Geese Control Stop feeding geese –Entices animals to stay and they lure others Repellents –Chemicals on grass Foul taste cause geese to go elsewhere Only works for a few days

Nuisance Geese Control Translocation –Original way to populate areas –Roundups –Large percentage return –No place to take them –Expensive

Nuisance Geese Control Scare tactics –Decoys –Pyrotechnics Wildlife control operators

Control Requiring Permits Hunting –September 1- March 10 Migrant geese gone Primary method to control or reduce populations Changed regularions Depradation permits

Control Continued Egg addling –Punch hole in egg for bacteria to enter –Cover with olive oil to cut off oxygen –Shake egg real hard to dislodge –Replace eggs

Conclusion State empowerment alternative USFWS gives states power to dispose of large numbers of geese lethally as needed Geese restoration was success story of 20 th century Population and problems continue to grow Nature may resolve the problem through carrying capacity