Board Journal
CANADA GOOSE NEST & EGG REMOVAL
Posted on Apr 18th, 2016
LOCH ALPINE LAKES NOTICE
CANADA GOOSE NEST & EGG REMOVAL TO BEGIN SOON
It has become necessary to reduce the amount of goose droppings in and around Loch Alpine lakes and commonly used paths, parks and streets, and make LA properties more “user friendly.” The Association Lakes Committee and Board have decided to use the USDA/DNR managed program of both Canada goose nest and egg removal and, if deemed necessary later in season, a goose round-up and removal. One LAIA Director, along with our selected vendor, have attended USDA/Michigan DNR training and received the permit for the goose nest/egg removal that will be done solely by the vendor, the GooseWorks Company.
NOTE: this program is for Canada geese only; swans will not be involved in any way.
The goose nest/egg removal will be done at both lakes, on LAIA lake lot property only, on a vendor determined and managed schedule beginning very soon.
Some details of the USDA Nest/Egg Removal program:
Canada goose eggs are laid between approximately March 15 and April 7, 4-8 per nest.
Nests are identified by 1) a pair of geese standing around, 2) one goose on a nest, 3) one goose standing guard; geese are scary but not dangerous, they don't bite.
Observed nest locations will be noted for GooseWorks.
Eggs must be well into the incubation period before removal will be successful; taken out too early, more are laid; GooseWorks will schedule our areas sometime within the USDA recommended April 16 - 30 period: during the week, during the day.
Only warm eggs (from incubation) will be collected and taken away, nests broken up.
All required reporting will be completed by the vendor.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO HARASS THE GEESE AFTER EGG REMOVAL TO CONVINCE THEM TO MOVE AWAY BEFORE MOLTING BEGINS. AFTER THAT THEY WALK AROUND FOR WEEKS WAITING FOR THEIR NEW FLIGHT FEATHERS. TAKE YOUR DOG FOR A WALK IN THOSE AREAS TO MOVE THE GEESE AROUND A BIT AND MAKE THEM FEEL UNWELCOME.
Goose Round-up procedures:
If the Association and vendor determine that further action to reduce the population this year is necessary, Gooseworks will file for a “goose round-up” permit by May 27.
The birds are gathered by GooseWorks, removed and taken to northern Michigan areas.
About Canada goose populations:
In 1918, the Canada goose was determined to be extinct.
After a resurgence (somehow from extinction or poor inspections back then,) by 1946 there again were 50,000 in the US, 2500 in Michigan.
By 2000 the population was measured at 325,000 in Michigan, 83% in SE Michigan.
The Michigan DNR goal is 175-225,000 (with northern habitats overrun, the nest/egg removal program was expanded).
LAIA Board Director Bob Sendra
