wild goose population<\/a> would cost upwards of $70,000, city staff have determined.<\/p>\n“Rather than using their own forces for goose management, many municipalities across Ontario have opted to engage qualified service providers to implement a goose management program,” says Dan Perri, the Sault’s director of public works.<\/p>\n
“These programs are intended to significantly reduce goose populations that are feeding, congregating, nesting, and leaving droppings on public spaces,” Perri says in a report prepared for Monday’s city council meeting.<\/p>\n
“Typically, as part of the goose management program, a qualified service provider will use a combination of varied methods to control Canada geese. Examples of such methods include canine patrol, predator decoys, pyrotechnics, egg and nest depredation, laser devices, distress calls, and relocation initiatives.<\/p>\n
“Many of the initiatives listed require a permit under the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 and are outside the expertise of city staff,” Perri says.<\/p>\n
He’ll recommend that\u00a0operating costs needed to support a Canada goose management program be referred to the\u00a0city’s 2026 budget deliberations.<\/p>\n
“Canada geese are migratory birds that are protected under Canadian law by the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994,” Perri says in his report.<\/p>\n
“This act prohibits the killing or capturing of Canada geese, as well as any actions that damage, destroy, remove, or disturb their nests. Exceptions to these prohibitions are only permitted under conditions set out in the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022.<\/p>\n
“Most Canada geese migrate between remote northern breeding areas and southern regions for the winter, making them typically migratory; however, some geese have become permanent residents in several areas of southern Canada, including Sault Ste. Marie.<\/p>\n
“These resident geese often remain year-round, though many may still move south briefly during the coldest winter months. These resident geese are the product of locally established breeding populations.<\/p>\n
“Young geese usually return to their birthplace to nest, and since migration behaviours are taught by parents, these resident populations continue to expand each generation, resulting in a higher number of Canada geese residing in the city.<\/p>\n
Here’s what Perri says city staff are currently doing to prevent the Sault’s honker\u00a0breeding population from getting out of control.<\/p>\n
\n\tinstallation of natural barriers between the shoreline and land, such as large cut limestone blocks, large stones, and various shrubs
\n\twhere ecologically beneficial vegetation is present, installation of 0.6m green snow fencing between the shoreline and the land
\n\tinstallation of signage advising the public not to feed the birds
\n\tprovision of deterrent strategies such as reflectors, coyote decoys and electronic goose distress calls
<\/p>\n
Monday’s city council meeting will be livestreamed on SooToday starting at 5 p.m.<\/p>\n
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