Geese Nest Removal in Brampton: Best Practices and Legal Considerations

Canada Geese are about to return to nest and spend their summer in Brampton and towns all over Ontario. Hopefully, you have your permits in place and you and your professional goose control partner have agreed on a geese management plan that focuses on disrupting the breeding and nesting cycle.

Like so many cities in our beautiful province, Brampton offers perfect breeding and feeding grounds for geese. Its many old cemeteries, parks, rivers, lakes, ponds and artificial bodies of water attract a large number of water fowl and other wildlife - and that doesn't come without challenges.

Geese Nest Removal in Brampton

Nest Removal is just one method to consider when making a geese management plan. Virtually all bird control measures require 2 or more methods employed simultaneously or one following another to ensure long term success. Canada geese have incredibly strong migration and nesting instincts. Geese will return to "their" Brampton nesting site year after year, so making that site unattractive is a non-lethal and humane way to make geese reconsider and change their choice of breeding location.

Geese are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and any interference with nests or eggs requires a permit.

Understanding the Challenge: Why Geese Nest Removal Is Necessary

Overpopulation

Since Canada Geese have adapted so well to living alongside humans and as there are fewer natural predators in urban centers like Brampton, more goslings survive their first year of life and  go on to continue the cycle of migration and breeding. Many female geese will return to and raise families (up to eleven wee ones in one season) where they themselves hatched and grow the size of the flock exponentially.

Public Safety

• Aggression
  During nesting season, both parents-to-be have very defined roles. The female tends to the eggs and the male provides for her and keeps the nest safe. He takes his job very seriously and aggressively defends his mate and the nest. With a steady increase in the Brampton goose population, geese attacks are on the rise. 
  
  
• Slip and Fall Accidents
  When an entire flock of geese congregates in a public park, marina, or other greenspace, there will be goose droppings. They are plentiful, messy, smelly, and slippery.
  
  
• Spread of Disease
  Birds carry bacteria, viruses, and parasites on feathers, and expel them through their droppings. Once dried, goose droppings and potential diseases become airborne.
  
  
• Bird Strikes
  We mainly think of aircraft when we hear the word bird strike but did you know that thousands of automobiles collide with geese every year. Due to their size, those collisions can be fatal. With its close proximity to Pearson International Airport as well as Hwy 410, this is a real concern for Brampton.
  
  

Property Damage

Golf Courses in particular suffer substantial and costly consequences from grazing geese. Young, fresh shoots are the most popular and will be decimated in no time - leaving grass unable to regenerate.  Goose dropping are unsightly, unsanitary, and somewhat dampen the experience.

Environmental Concerns

• Water Quality
  With the ongoing overpopulation of geese come concerns about water quality. Algae and bacteria such as E-coli contaminate many ponds, especially smaller ones.
  
  
• Soil Erosion
  Overgrazing at river banks and other waters' edges leads to soil erosion.

Best Practices for Geese Nest Removal in Brampton

Strategic and Humane Approach:

The goal is to prevent the geese from successfully hatching their eggs AND to portray an unsuitable nesting environment. It is never to hurt them in any way.

• Assessment and Planning:
  Identify the number of geese and nests to be removed.
  Decide how many dogs and geese control technicians are required.
  
  
• Deploy Dogs
  Have trained dogs chase geese inland, starting closest to water's edge. The dogs need to be able to chase geese without harming them. Geese will fly off a short distance but will stay in view of their nests.
  
  
• Remove Eggs
  It is important to have the geese observe eggs being taken.
  
  
• Remove Nest
  Dismantle and bag all nesting materials so the geese will not rebuild the nest upon their return.
  
  
• Cover Nest Site
  If possible, place a sheet of plywood over the site of the removed nest.
  
  

Post-Removal Monitoring and Prevention:

• Observe and monitor the site.
  
  
• Come back with dogs if necessary.
  
  
• Consider making changes to landscape, letting the grass grow longer, and installing wiring, netting, or fencing.
  
  

Legal Considerations for Geese Nest Removal in Brampton

• Permits
  Canada geese are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. They may not be harmed outside of hunting season.
  All work with geese or their nests requires permits. Each control method requires a different permit and must be obtained before any work can commence. Permits should be requested in January or February, at the latest.
  
  
• Local By-Laws or Restrictions
  There are currently no Brampton by-laws pertaining to geese.
  
  
• Hire a Licensed and Experienced Geese Control Expert
  The geese control and removal service you work with in Brampton needs to be licensed, insured, and experienced. They need to have the man power and resources (like dogs, birds of prey, lasers, etc.) to efficiently and effectively remove nests, eggs, or relocate geese.
  
  

Why Choose Hawkeye for Geese Nest Control?

Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control is your first choice and line of defense when it comes to humane geese control and nest removal. We have over 30 years of experience with projects successfully completed both across Canada and internationally. 

• All of our technicians undergo ongoing training and certification.
  
  
• We are aware of and work within legal requirements and industry standards.
  
  
• We have a number of custom, proprietary solutions and will adjust our approach depending on your needs.
  
  
• We are in the business of scaring birds away, not harming or killing them. 
  
  
• We employ falconry when appropriate, taking advantage of the natural prey/predator relationship 
  
  

Contact Hawkeye and Break the Breeding Cycle of Canada Geese

Goose Nest Removal is one part of the puzzle, making the site appear unsuitable for further nesting is the other. In order to successfully deter geese from coming back to your property, we need to use several methods over a period of time. Let us help you put together a sustainable geese management plan - Call today.