Hopefully, you enjoyed our 2-part series "Goose Control for GTA Cemeteries and Graveyards" - if you've missed it, check out Part I and Part II now.

Below, we've summed up the most popular questions we receive in regards to geese and cemeteries. Call Hawkeye for a professional assessment and long-term geese management plan.

When thinking of a cemetery, most of us envision a beautifully landscaped park-like place of peace where we are able to reflect, remember, and mourn. We do not expect to be confronted by aggressive Canada geese.

Unlike retail plazas or office parks, cemeteries must balance a quiet atmosphere and religious or cultural sensitivity with visitor safety, year-round public access and strict maintenance standards. 

When goose populations become established on cemetery grounds, professional goose removal for cemeteries may be required to restore safety, cleanliness, and the peaceful environment visitors expect.

Our beloved Canada geese are smart, social, adaptable, and quite happy to live alongside humans. In fact, they thrive in suburban and even urban environments. Unfortunately, geese can become quite a problem for property owners. Learn about what to do about geese on your property, how to get rid of geese, and what will work for you: goose repellents vs. deterrents.

For property owners looking for goose control in Toronto, understanding the difference between these methods is the first step toward a long-term solution. Here are some common issues homeowners encounter when geese are on the property:

• Droppings and sanitation risks
• Aggressive goose behaviour during nesting season
• Damage to lawns and landscapes
  
  

Toronto and its surrounding areas are home to lovely architecture that often features beautiful, cozy courtyards and rooftop gardens. You know who else enjoys these hidden treasures? Our ever-present Canada goose population!

From Mississauga and Markham's large office parks with courtyards and water features to Vaughan and Oakville's upscale cozy residential hideaways and common areas, geese are claiming these spaces in ever-increasing numbers.

Have you heard them yet? Canada geese continue to arrive in southern Ontario after an oh-so-long winter, making goose control in the GTA a growing concern for homeowners. And while you may welcome the sound of honking and its association with spring, you surely aren't looking forward to dealing with geese settling in your yard and around your home or business.

Discover what you can do to keep geese off your lawn and how to stop them from nesting on your property.

In the last article, we discussed why graveyards and cemeteries are so vulnerable when it comes to Canada geese infestation. Now, we'll look at how to remedy goose breeding and nesting and how to prevent the same problem from occurring again next spring.

Deterrents and DIY solutions are not a viable, long-term option to prevent Canada geese from nesting and grazing in GTA cemeteries and memorial parks.

Goose populations in the GTA and the rest of southern Ontario have continued to increase. While the iconic Canadian geese are a welcome sight after a long winter, their presence and what they leave behind wreaks havoc on our public parks and green spaces. As the number of these birds continues to grow, public park goose control has become an increasingly important priority for municipalities responsible for maintaining safe, clean, and enjoyable green spaces.

Parks in the Greater Toronto Area (community parks, waterfront parks, and regional parks) often support large resident Canada goose populations as they provide everything geese want and need:

• Open grass
• Water access
• Limited predator pressure
• Large gathering areas
  
  

Why is it necessary to manage geese at Parks and Beaches?

• Geese at beaches and parks can lead to significant public health concerns.
• The presence of geese can interfere with recreational activities and enjoyment of the beaches and parks they frequent.
• Geese can cause environmental degradation.

Geese can be a significant nuisance on beaches and at parks and get in the way of the public enjoying nature and public spaces. The lack of predators and the lush vegetation at parks and beaches makes for a very inviting place for geese to nest, rest, and feed. Goose droppings often carry diseases, as can their feathers. Aside from being unsightly and dangerously slippery, this can lead to public health concerns at beaches and. Goose droppings in the water can contaminate the water and surrounding soil or sand with E coli and other infectious agents, making them hazardous to swimmers or young children accidentally ingesting contaminated water.  Nesting geese can also be very aggressive and cause considerable injury to humans in an effort to protect their eggs or young hatchlings.

Environmental degradation is another concern; geese munching on young shoots and grasses leads to a diminished root system, dead or stunted vegetation, and eventual soil erosion. Healthy root systems protect against erosion from wind and water. 

Management and Mitigation of Geese

Geese are federally protected wildlife in Canada and the US, and as such, a permit is necessary for management and mitigation.

A primary strategy is to alter the environment to make it less attractive to geese. Using landscape barriers or low fences can deter geese from coming into an area. Planting unpalatable vegetation or using nontoxic repellants on the vegetation can help keep geese away. Allowing grass to grow a little longer (geese prefer short grass for better visibility and ease of movement), will also slow geese from setting up camp.

Visual and auditory deterrents can be used, but are less effective as the geese, over time, become habituated to it.

Dog Patrols are the Most Effective Way of deterring Geese at Parks and on Beaches.

Trained dogs can chase the birds without harming them. Regular patrols are necessary as geese will keep coming back, especially with any water in the area. Dogs are also great to prevent nesting; having dogs in the area regularly will discourage geese from laying eggs.

Geese Capture and relocation from Parks and Beaches

Capture and relocation is also a great way to control goose populations, but requires significant time and effort. Relocation requires permission of the landowners to where the geese will be moved to, as well as a permit from the wildlife service. Regulated hunting - also with a permit from the wildlife service - can help control goose populations where it is considered safe and legal. This approach must be carefully managed by professionals to ensure it is done safely, ethically and sustainably. 

Do Not Feed Geese at Parks and on Beaches

Educating the public is of paramount importance. Don't Feed The Birds! Consuming human food is not healthy for geese and will almost certainly guarantee them hanging around and/or returning. If not fed the proper nutrition, geese can become ill and pass illness to other wildlife. If food is not easily available, geese are much less likely to be attracted to areas where humans are. Anything to reduce human and goose conflict is good for humans and geese. Some municipalities have introduced bylaws making it a finable offence to feed any wildlife in public or private spaces.

Geese management and mitigation requires ongoing monitoring of goose activity and for the management techniques to allow for adjustments as needed. Through diligent application of these methods and ongoing surveillance, it is possible to effectively maintain the enjoyment of the community’s access to beaches and parks in their municipalities.  Humans can coexist peacefully with nature and wildlife in all its glory.

Canada Geese are increasingly becoming a nuisance across urban and suburban properties. Common goose complaints include excessive droppings, aggressive behaviour, and nesting in unsafe or high-traffic areas.

Canada geese are a common sight on rooftops of commercial buildings, in public parks, industrial yards, municipal green spaces, Toronto's waterfront, and on the shores of virtually all of Ontario's many lakes. So, what can be done about that? Let's explore why falconry for goose control(a humane, non-lethal method) is so much more successful than repellents and/or visual or sound-based deterrents. 

Why Geese Are So Hard to Deter

First, we need to understand that geese are highly intelligent and social creatures that come with incredible homing instincts. When we hear homing instinct, we think of pigeons or doves... but geese are right up there. They learn and remember a migration journey thousands of miles long, from their spring nesting grounds to their winter home.

• Site Fidelity
  Geese return to the same nesting site each year, as long as it is safe and can sustain a growing family;
  
  
• Territorial Behaviour
  Canada geese are highly territorial during nesting season, often causing conflict between bird and human;
  
  
• Sheer Numbers
  Geese travel and often nest in large flocks, creating widespread disruption;
  
  
• Intelligence
  Traditional goose deterrents lose effectiveness over time as geese quickly realize that they represent no physical danger (e.g., decoys, or noise, sprays).
  
  

How Birds of Prey Work as Natural Goose Deterrents

Birds of Prey Commonly Used for Bird Control

• Falcons
  • Used in large open spaces, like landfills;
    Used for gulls and ducks;
  • Not ideal for large, aggressive geese
• Hawks (e.g., Harris’s Hawk)
  • Agile and able to navigate urban landscape, vineyards, and airport hangars;
  • Commonly used in pest bird management;
  • Not suitable for geese
• Eagles (e.g., Bald Eagles)
  • Strong presence and size
  • Best suited for intimidating and dispersing geese
  • Particularly effective in open areas like airports, large lawns, rooftops, and parks
    
    

Why Eagles Are the Best Bird of Prey for Goose Control

• Intimidation Factor
  Eagles are a top predator, able to take down a goose (although that is not the objective). Geese instinctively fear eagles;
  
  
• Visibility
  Eagles are large, dark raptors visible from long distances and instantly recognizable;
  
  
• Versatility
  Eagles are suited to work in open spaces (parks, rooftops, or runways) and complex environments;
  
  
• Proven Effectiveness
  Repeated eagle deployments create lasting avoidance behavior by Canada geese;
  
  
• Low Disruption
  Falconry using eagles produces no noise or mess; eagles blend into the environment and are safe around the public when flown by an experienced falconer.
  
  

While Canada geese are usually considered more of a nuisance, around airports a flock of geese can have catastrophic consequences. The one place you never want to encounter birds is around an aircraft. Bird Control around airports poses specific challenges and requires expertise beyond the norm. 

According to Transport Canada, the majority of bird strike incidents occur within the airport environment during the takeoff, climb, final approach, and landing phases of flight. Collisions with birds are a severe threat to the safety of the aviation industry. Human lives may be lost due to collisions and there is a constant threat of a major crash as a result of bird strikes. In addition, bird strikes cost airline companies as well as the military millions of dollars each year.

Canada Geese are a particularly large threat around GTA airports because of their size (no pun intended). A collision with such a large bird causes severe engine damage, broken windshields (or windscreens), and more.

Controlling and managing geese at airports is incredibly important to preserve human life and avoid damages and delays.

The Role of Nearby Structures in Attracting Geese to Airports

Green Spaces

Airports all over the world have plenty of grassy areas next to runways and taxiways. The grass is usually kept cut short - absolutely perfect for Canada geese.

Food Availability and The Landfill Connection

Besides the usual presence of human food leftovers on the ground or in unsecured trash cans, there is also the attraction of landfills which are often located near airports. Landfills attract geese and other pest birds as well as other wildlife.

Water Sources

Ontario's proximity to Lake Ontario as well as countless rivers, creeks and man-made bodies of water, are a haven for birds and other wildlife. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is surrounded by water and park space and a large number of resident geese. Hotels and golf courses around Pearson International Airport also attract a fair number of Canada geese.

Why Does This Matter to Airports?

Geese frequently travel between feeding and nesting areas, crossing flight paths and increasing the risk of bird strikes. Airport authorities should work with local businesses and municipalities to implement bird deterrent systems and strategies beyond airport property.

Why Geese Are Particularly Dangerous Near GTA Airports

• Size and Weight
  Canada Geese can have a wing span of almost 70inches and weigh up to 14lbs. A midair collision with even just one bird of this size often has dire consequences. 
  
  
• Number of Geese
  Because Geese live and travel in flocks - often very large flocks - there is a high risk of bird strikes involving more than one bird.
  
  
• Flight Paths and Altitude
  Canada Geese generally fly low enough to intersect with departing or arriving aircraft. There is little recourse for airline pilots, short of a rejected take-off or go-around procedure on approach. 
  
  
• Attractive Habitats
  As mentioned earlier, expansive grassy areas and proximity to water often attracts Canada Geese to Toronto's airports.
  
  
• Seasonal Migration
  Another layer of complexity is added during the fall and spring migration. Hundreds of Canada geese set out and travel together, increasing the likelihood of a mid-air disaster.
  
  

Effective Humane Geese Control Strategies for Airports

Because of airports being such busy and highly sensitive environments, all goose control solutions require precise planning and execution. Airport managers may forbid one or require another. Here are some of the geese removal techniques used around airports:

• Birds of Prey (Falconry)
  Falconry using birds of prey (eagles) is highly effective as a goose control method in Toronto, both near airfields and in enclosed environments such as hangars. Making use of the natural predator/prey relationship, falconry offers a completely non-lethal and environmentally friendly solution to geese near airports.
  
  
• Hazing with Dogs 
  Trained dogs chase geese without harming them. Especially in conjunction or as a follow-up method to falconry, dogs can have a great impact conveying an unstable and unsafe environment for geese. Having dogs regularly patrol the grounds is also a good idea.
  
  
• Pyrotechnics
  The use of pyrotechnics requires expert aim and timing; shots need to be fired during a 30-60 second window between take-offs and landings. Some airports actually require a bird control company to make available 10,000 rounds or more in their effort to displace geese.  Pyrotechnics are discharged from 40mm or 12 gauge shot guns in front of geese, so they can see a projectile coming at them. To be clear, the shots are not fired at the birds directly, but at the ground in front of them.
  
  
• Lasers
  Operating a laser at an airport is a delicate undertaking. It requires a highly skilled laser operator who is familiar with necessary limitations around aviation, and the permission of airport authorities.
  
  
• Remote Control Vehicles (ROVs)
  Remote control boats are used in larger bodies of water where dogs are ineffective.
  
  
• Habitat Modification
  Most modifications will be made to ponds and other water features. Methods from pond netting or pond wiring to planting shrubs or erecting low fences are designed to deter or prohibit geese from landing on water and seeking refuge from predators.
  
  
• Drones
  Geese can also be chased with drones - this happens on water, not on land. Again, geese seek bodies of water to escape from danger. Making surrounding lakes or ponds not safe, will drive the birds away.
  
  
• Nest Removal and Relocation
  If any nests are spotted on airport property, they, of course, need to be removed immediately. If geese are still plaguing daily operations by mid June - July, geese can be rounded up during the time they are rendered flightless (molting) and relocated.