Evaluating and Mitigating Canada Goose Impacts to Parks, Schools, and Golf Courses

NYS IPM Type: Project ReportCanada goose conflicts in suburban areas of NYS have been increasing based on a recent IPM survey of school districts. Communities continue to search for non-lethal ways to manage geese, as many urban flocks are not easily hunted. We explored a novel method using hobby aircraft (a drone) to disperse problem goose flocks. We also implemented goose fecal transects on turf grass areas at a local park, along with distributing educational fliers to recreational users of these sites. The drone was ineffective for hazing geese from turf grass areas at the park. We then tried a combination of a remote-controlled vehicle (RCV) along with pyrotechnics (bird bangers) to disperse goose flocks. The RCV was very effective in open turf areas and athletic fields. Pyrotechnics were also effective for hazing geese from both turf grass and water areas near the park and golf course. However, we were unable to break site fidelity of the goose flocks, as they sought refuge on the inlet canal for Cayuga Lake where we could not effectively haze the birds. Fecal counts along transects declined over time, but it was unclear if this was due to our hazing efforts, or routine movements of geese away from the park as the summer progressed