Goose controlin Toronto is a growing issued these days. The citie's harbourrfront properties continue to record an increase in the Canada goose population - condos, parks, marinas, patios, and green roofs are prime targets. Iit is important to get rid of geese near the harbourfront swiftly to avoid cleanup of the subsequent mess, mitigate the risks of health and safety hazards as well as minimize a loss of reputation.

Goose Removal in the Harbourfront Area

So, Why Do Geese Love the Harbourfront So Much?

• Toronto's waterfront offers abundant green space and manicured lawns (ideal for goose grazing);
  
  
• The proximity to water provides plenty of safety for nesting and escape from land-dwelling predators;
  
  
• Because of constant human traffic, urban environments tend to discourage the presence of natural predators;
  
  
• Human presence also means supplementary wildlife feeding - intentional or accidental.
  
  

The Impact of Geese Infestations on Harbourfront Properties

Property Damage 

Excessive goose grazing leads to lawn destruction and the resulting fecal matter contaminates pathways, docks, and buildings.

Health Risks

Geese, like many bird species, carry and transmit a slew of diseases through feces and feathers, both bacterial and parasitic in nature. Some examples are Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli, Cryptosporidium and Giardia.

Safety Concerns

Canada geese are fiercely protective of their nests and offspring and known for aggressive behavior, particularly during the spring and early summer. Additionally, there are increased risks of slip-and-fall accidents due to wet and slippery surfaces from droppings.

Environmental Impact

Excessive goose droppings degrade water quality in the harbour. This becomes an even bigger concern for smaller bodies of water.

Most Affected Harbourfront Properties

• Condominium Rooftops & Green Spaces – they are ideal for nesting due to their height, warmth, and safety.
  
  
• Marinas, Floating Docks & Ferry Landings – these provide perfect resting zones for geese with minimal disturbance.
  
  
• Public Parks & Trails (HTO Park, Harbour Square Park) – with short grass, access to water, and food dropped by tourists, Toronto's parks make for perfect goose habitats.
  
  
• Restaurant Patios & Courtyards – food-seeking geese are persistent beggars and leave an unsanitary mess.
  
  
• Event Spaces & Open Waterfront Lots – geese often disrupt public events and make areas unusable.
  
  

Challenges of Waterfront Goose Control 

• Geese feel protected near water — escape routes, open views, and nesting privacy.
  
  
• Noise deterrents and decoys are largely ineffective and inappropriate for public settings.
  
  
• Legal protection under the Migratory Birds Convention Act demands permits for any and all goose control or removal methods.
  
  
• Nests may be hidden or inaccessible under benches and shrubs, around HVAC units, on rooftops, or below docks.
  
  

Should You Wait to Deal with a Canada Goose Problem?

No, you should not. Your problem, much like a flock of geese, will increase exponentially with time. Here's why:

• Canada geese return to the same nesting location to hatch 5-7 goslings every year.
  
  
• Nesting geese become territorial and aggressive — a public safety issue.
  
  
• Goose droppings carry bacteria and parasites, stain surfaces, and increase fall/injury risks.
  
  

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.

While we may still be buried under snow and ice, the arrival of Canada geese in the GTA is only weeks away. With spring goose season approaching quickly, now is the time to educate yourself and consider options for geese control—before the birds settle in and begin nesting.

Canada geese may return from their southern winter home as early as March. Once geese establish a nest, removal becomes significantly more difficult due to regulations and aggressive behaviour. Early prevention is the most effective and cost-efficient approach. Contact Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control now. 

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, while a familiar and somewhat nostalgic sight, do cause a fair bit of headache and damage in urban, suburban, and rural areas. If you are seeking solutions to mitigate geese, we should talk about whether you want to control geese or remove them. Join us as we explore the diffrences.

Deciding Between Goose Control and Goose Removal

• Goose Control and Goose Removal are terms that are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are actually two very different approaches to wildlife management.
• Knowing the difference can help you choose the right strategy for your goose related problems.
• Do you want to manage the population of geese on your property or remove them altogether?
• Are the geese an occasional nuisance during migration or for a few weeks in the summer months? OR - Do the geese cause significant damage to your property or pose a health risk to people or pets?
• Both goose control and goose removal require permits from the government. The Canada Goose is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which is an agreement between many countries around the world.

What IsThe Difference Between Goose Control And Goose Removal?

The difference is the objective. Do you want to manage the population (the numbers) of geese or do you want all of them to move on to somewhere else? Geese Control attempts to limit or maintain the number of geese while Geese Removal moves the flock off of a property. Let's look at how this can be accomplished:

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.