Canada Geese are, by and large, migratory creatures, which evolved the ability to fly thousands of miles seasonally in search of food and habitat.
But as humans began providing food, habitat—and handouts —in abundance, tens of thousands of Canada Geese have eschewed the way of their wayfaring ancestors and chosen, understandably perhaps, to ... just stay put.
The population of year-round geese, in Massachusetts and elsewhere, has grown immensely in just the past few decades, and geese now live year round in many Boston parks and other green spaces.
And that, for many, is a problem.
Noting before Boston's City Council today that a single Canada goose can produce three pounds of droppings per day, At-Large Councilor Annissa Essaibi George called for a hearing on ways the city can better mitigate the negative impacts of Canada geese on vegetation, health, and the ability of residents to enjoy their parks.
Among the Councilors rising to support Essaibi George's resolutions was City Councilor Matt O’Malley, who suggested that his own pursuit of no-leash dog zones could compliment her efforts.
Boston does have some goose-mitigation measures: The city's Department of Parks and Recreation has a goose egg "addling" program, a process by which eggs are removed from a nest and embryonic development is terminated before the eggs are returned. (Private citizens may apply for an addling permit with the state Fisheries and Wildlife division).
But the geese seem to have maintained, so far, the upper hand.
Tani Marinovitch, director of Boston’s Esplanade Association, says her group has tried just about everything to evict the birds.
“So we’ve done geese beacons, which mimics predators eyes at night—they’re really smart animals though, so unless it’s moved constantly they figure it out,” Marinovitch said.
Marinovitch says she welcomes the Council’s effort to find new solutions.
