Goose Nest Depredation
Goose Nest and Egg Management
Managing resident Canada goose populations through destruction of nests and eggs, or through treatment of eggs, can make a huge impact on future Goose damage. When geese are aggressively defending nests near playgrounds, golf courses, bike trails, park walking paths, or any high traffic area, destruction of the nest and eggs along with nesting area habitat modifications can sometimes cause the geese to move elsewhere. Management Techniques of the goose eggs so that they do not hatch will reduce or eliminate the presence of goslings. This will also reduce goose feces piling up and other damage such as overgrazing of lawns and crop depredation. Control of goose nesting will increase the effectiveness of nonlethal methods, especially the use of noise-making devices, since adult geese that are not tending to flightless goslings are more inclined to leave an area when they are harassed. Although nest and egg treatment/destruction are useful to curb population growth at a local scale, it should not be relied upon for immediate population reductions. Regardless, management of goose nesting can be an important part of an overall integrated management approach to living with Canada geese in your community.
When to Start Treating Nests?
Initial goose nest searches should occur during March and April, depending on your location: Southern US (March 10-25), Mid latitudes (March 25-April 10), and Northern US (April 10-25). The best option is to harass geese before they set up a nest; however, if nests have already been established, the most efficient time to treat eggs is after the entire clutch is laid and incubation has started. Warm eggs in the nest indicate that incubation has started and that all eggs have been laid. At least 2-3 subsequent nest visits are usually required to ensure that all eggs and renest attempts are treated. The final nest search/ egg treatment typically occurs during early mid-May. Treatment of goose eggs in the cooler early morning hours is recommended to reduce stress on the birds.
How to Find and Approach the Nest
In natural areas, look for goose nests near water, particularly on islands and peninsulas, as well as along shorelines. Elsewhere, nests occur where there is a good view of the surrounding area with relative security from nest predators. The adult goose pair remains together throughout the nesting season. A single goose that appears to be “patrolling” an area may indicate that a nest is in the vicinity. As the hatching date nears, the incubating goose will be reluctant to leave the eggs and will flatten out and extend the neck to “hide” when the nest is approached. In searching for the nest, it is useful to key in on the goose’s distinctly colored head with highly contrasting cheek patch. Otherwise, the bird’s drab coloration easily blends into the surrounding environment. The behavior of nesting geese to humans varies tremendously. Some nesting geese readily flee when approached by humans whereas other geese will stand their ground to defend the nest; some geese will attack approaching humans by running or flying at them. Goose behavior during nest defense consists of geese standing erect and/or spreading their wings to make themselves appear larger while loudly hissing. The defense behavior can be daunting. Attacking geese will often try to strike their perceived nest predators with their wings and/or will bite. The male or gander, which is usually the bird standing guard near the nest (as opposed to the incubating goose) is the bird most likely to attack. As a rule, geese in rural or natural settings are less likely to attack humans than geese in suburban or urban habitats. When geese are habituated to people and have little fear of them, they often attack viciously. For these reasons, goose nests should be approached carefully. It is best to conduct these activities with a partner. Some individuals experienced in treating goose nests use a life jacket, boat paddle, or trash can lid to deflect goose attacks at nest sites. Nest defense behavior by Canada geese is encountered after the nest is located and during the process of moving the adult goose off the nest. Geese must be moved to effectively treat the eggs. Geese may naturally leave the area as you approach the nest, or you may need to encourage the geese to back away from the nest with slow steady pressure from a broom, canoe/kayak paddle, or a branch. Geese tend to be increasingly tenacious to the nest/ eggs as the hatching date nears. Approach the nest in a manner that creates an escape route for the geese.
Physical Destruction of Nests and Eggs
Where goose nests are near people, near areas of high traffic, and in situations where geese are particularly aggressive, landowners may desire to destroy and remove the nest and modify the area to deter renesting attempts. This method is applicable where nests occur on rooftops, sidewalks, doorsteps, entryways, enclosed courtyards, picnic areas, playgrounds, and near paths and roadways. Destroyed nest material and eggs can be left in the field, buried on site, incinerated, or placed in outgoing trash, in accordance with local ordinances. The nest location should be cleared of all nest materials and can be covered with objects (overturned garbage can, wood, branches, etc.) so that its attractiveness as a nesting area is diminished. Destruction and removal of the nest is intended to cause the pair of geese to abandon the area. However, there are times when the pair does not leave and instead initiates a new nest nearby. If this occurs, destruction of the new nest is necessary. Integrated harassment activities after nest destruction may provide further reinforcement for the geese to leave the area all together.
Techniques Used For Egg Depredation
Three egg treatment techniques authorized by the Depredation Order are oiling, puncturing, and shaking and are most useful when the presence of adult geese can be tolerated but goslings are not desired. Treated eggs remain in the nest, and geese will continue to tend to the nest and incubate the eggs. Be careful not to handle treated eggs in subsequent visits to the nests since eggs become putrid. Contents of eggs build up with gas and may burst if they are disturbed or knocked together. Nest sites should be marked with flagging tape or other material to facilitate follow-up visits and reduce time spent having to search for previously treated nests. When eggs fail to hatch, the adult geese gradually cease incubation and will leave the immediate area as the time to molt approaches. This can be hastened toward the end of the nesting season (May) through use of harassment activities. Destroyed nest material and eggs may be left in the field or disposed of by burial, incineration, or placement in outgoing trash, in accordance with local ordinances.
Oiling—Use 100% food-grade corn oil. The oil blocks the pores in the eggs’ shell and prevents further development of the contents. Some States require a pesticide license to use this method, so check State regulations before proceeding. Prior to oiling, remove the eggs from the nest and mark each egg with a permanent marker on both sides. For best results, coat the entire egg with a thin layer of oil and place it back in the nest. Oil may be applied by several methods:
• Dip each egg in oil and wipe to remove excess
• Wipe the eggs with a cloth soaked in oil
• Spray oil on each egg with a hand-held pump action sprayer
• Spray oil on each egg with a pressurized backpack sprayer
Puncturing—It is not necessary to mark the eggs to be punctured; however, an individual may prefer to mark the eggs, so they do not need to be handled during subsequent visits. To puncture the egg, hold it securely in your hand, braced against the ground. Insert a long, thin metal probe into the pointed end of the egg. Best results are attained by placing slow steady pressure. Once the probe passes through the shell, place its tip against the inside of the shell, and swirl with a circular motion. The puncturing tool may be an awl, ice pick, chicken/turkey basting tools, a turkey lacer, or any sturdy, thin metal probe. It is advisable to connect the tool to a lanyard or string with a piece of bright-colored flagging tape attached to assist in keeping track of it while you are working and traveling from nest to nest.
Shaking/Addling—Remove all eggs and place them on the ground near the nest. Mark one egg, shake it, put the shaken egg back in the nest and repeat the process until all the eggs have been shaken. Shake each egg forcefully, one at a time, for 5-10 minutes, and place it back in the nest. This technique is very time consuming and requires a lot of physical effort although some homeowners prefer it if they have only one nest with a few eggs, and if they do not want to deal with the potential messiness of puncturing and oiling. However, it is difficult to determine with certainty when the egg is shaken enough. This treatment is the most problematic due to the time and effort required, and the uncertainty of its effectiveness.
Goose Nest and Egg Management
Managing resident Canada goose populations through destruction of nests and eggs, or through treatment of eggs, can make a huge impact on future Goose damage. When geese are aggressively defending nests near playgrounds, golf courses, bike trails, park walking paths, or any high traffic area, destruction of the nest and eggs along with nesting area habitat modifications can sometimes cause the geese to move elsewhere. Management Techniques of the goose eggs so that they do not hatch will reduce or eliminate the presence of goslings. This will also reduce goose feces piling up and other damage such as overgrazing of lawns and crop depredation. Control of goose nesting will increase the effectiveness of nonlethal methods, especially the use of noise-making devices, since adult geese that are not tending to flightless goslings are more inclined to leave an area when they are harassed. Although nest and egg treatment/destruction are useful to curb population growth at a local scale, it should not be relied upon for immediate population reductions. Regardless, management of goose nesting can be an important part of an overall integrated management approach to living with Canada geese in your community.
When to Start Treating Nests?
Initial goose nest searches should occur during March and April, depending on your location: Southern US (March 10-25), Mid latitudes (March 25-April 10), and Northern US (April 10-25). The best option is to harass geese before they set up a nest; however, if nests have already been established, the most efficient time to treat eggs is after the entire clutch is laid and incubation has started. Warm eggs in the nest indicate that incubation has started and that all eggs have been laid. At least 2-3 subsequent nest visits are usually required to ensure that all eggs and renest attempts are treated. The final nest search/ egg treatment typically occurs during early mid-May. Treatment of goose eggs in the cooler early morning hours is recommended to reduce stress on the birds.
How to Find and Approach the Nest
In natural areas, look for goose nests near water, particularly on islands and peninsulas, as well as along shorelines. Elsewhere, nests occur where there is a good view of the surrounding area with relative security from nest predators. The adult goose pair remains together throughout the nesting season. A single goose that appears to be “patrolling” an area may indicate that a nest is in the vicinity. As the hatching date nears, the incubating goose will be reluctant to leave the eggs and will flatten out and extend the neck to “hide” when the nest is approached. In searching for the nest, it is useful to key in on the goose’s distinctly colored head with highly contrasting cheek patch. Otherwise, the bird’s drab coloration easily blends into the surrounding environment. The behavior of nesting geese to humans varies tremendously. Some nesting geese readily flee when approached by humans whereas other geese will stand their ground to defend the nest; some geese will attack approaching humans by running or flying at them. Goose behavior during nest defense consists of geese standing erect and/or spreading their wings to make themselves appear larger while loudly hissing. The defense behavior can be daunting. Attacking geese will often try to strike their perceived nest predators with their wings and/or will bite. The male or gander, which is usually the bird standing guard near the nest (as opposed to the incubating goose) is the bird most likely to attack. As a rule, geese in rural or natural settings are less likely to attack humans than geese in suburban or urban habitats. When geese are habituated to people and have little fear of them, they often attack viciously. For these reasons, goose nests should be approached carefully. It is best to conduct these activities with a partner. Some individuals experienced in treating goose nests use a life jacket, boat paddle, or trash can lid to deflect goose attacks at nest sites. Nest defense behavior by Canada geese is encountered after the nest is located and during the process of moving the adult goose off the nest. Geese must be moved to effectively treat the eggs. Geese may naturally leave the area as you approach the nest, or you may need to encourage the geese to back away from the nest with slow steady pressure from a broom, canoe/kayak paddle, or a branch. Geese tend to be increasingly tenacious to the nest/ eggs as the hatching date nears. Approach the nest in a manner that creates an escape route for the geese.
Physical Destruction of Nests and Eggs
Where goose nests are near people, near areas of high traffic, and in situations where geese are particularly aggressive, landowners may desire to destroy and remove the nest and modify the area to deter renesting attempts. This method is applicable where nests occur on rooftops, sidewalks, doorsteps, entryways, enclosed courtyards, picnic areas, playgrounds, and near paths and roadways. Destroyed nest material and eggs can be left in the field, buried on site, incinerated, or placed in outgoing trash, in accordance with local ordinances. The nest location should be cleared of all nest materials and can be covered with objects (overturned garbage can, wood, branches, etc.) so that its attractiveness as a nesting area is diminished. Destruction and removal of the nest is intended to cause the pair of geese to abandon the area. However, there are times when the pair does not leave and instead initiates a new nest nearby. If this occurs, destruction of the new nest is necessary. Integrated harassment activities after nest destruction may provide further reinforcement for the geese to leave the area all together.
Techniques Used For Egg Depredation
Three egg treatment techniques authorized by the Depredation Order are oiling, puncturing, and shaking and are most useful when the presence of adult geese can be tolerated but goslings are not desired. Treated eggs remain in the nest, and geese will continue to tend to the nest and incubate the eggs. Be careful not to handle treated eggs in subsequent visits to the nests since eggs become putrid. Contents of eggs build up with gas and may burst if they are disturbed or knocked together. Nest sites should be marked with flagging tape or other material to facilitate follow-up visits and reduce time spent having to search for previously treated nests. When eggs fail to hatch, the adult geese gradually cease incubation and will leave the immediate area as the time to molt approaches. This can be hastened toward the end of the nesting season (May) through use of harassment activities. Destroyed nest material and eggs may be left in the field or disposed of by burial, incineration, or placement in outgoing trash, in accordance with local ordinances.
Oiling—Use 100% food-grade corn oil. The oil blocks the pores in the eggs’ shell and prevents further development of the contents. Some States require a pesticide license to use this method, so check State regulations before proceeding. Prior to oiling, remove the eggs from the nest and mark each egg with a permanent marker on both sides. For best results, coat the entire egg with a thin layer of oil and place it back in the nest. Oil may be applied by several methods:
• Dip each egg in oil and wipe to remove excess
• Wipe the eggs with a cloth soaked in oil
• Spray oil on each egg with a hand-held pump action sprayer
• Spray oil on each egg with a pressurized backpack sprayer
Puncturing—It is not necessary to mark the eggs to be punctured; however, an individual may prefer to mark the eggs, so they do not need to be handled during subsequent visits. To puncture the egg, hold it securely in your hand, braced against the ground. Insert a long, thin metal probe into the pointed end of the egg. Best results are attained by placing slow steady pressure. Once the probe passes through the shell, place its tip against the inside of the shell, and swirl with a circular motion. The puncturing tool may be an awl, ice pick, chicken/turkey basting tools, a turkey lacer, or any sturdy, thin metal probe. It is advisable to connect the tool to a lanyard or string with a piece of bright-colored flagging tape attached to assist in keeping track of it while you are working and traveling from nest to nest.
Shaking/Addling—Remove all eggs and place them on the ground near the nest. Mark one egg, shake it, put the shaken egg back in the nest and repeat the process until all the eggs have been shaken. Shake each egg forcefully, one at a time, for 5-10 minutes, and place it back in the nest. This technique is very time consuming and requires a lot of physical effort although some homeowners prefer it if they have only one nest with a few eggs, and if they do not want to deal with the potential messiness of puncturing and oiling. However, it is difficult to determine with certainty when the egg is shaken enough. This treatment is the most problematic due to the time and effort required, and the uncertainty of its effectiveness.