Whatzit?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

.......did not want to be touched.

Should not even try; those birds can actually really hurt you pretty good.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Around here, they favor the graveyards. They are very, very, very good at pooping as a mob. I am surprised I didn't recognize that face, because the skies over the local graveyards are often full of their graceful flying and collective honking, and the concept of strolling around without examining every inch ahead of each step among the headstones is out of the question. And you don't dare get back into your vehicle without thoroughly examining each shoe's sole for copious evidence of their messages.

O'course, live and let live, I say , even though their version is "Live and let poop. Everywhere." (in the graveyards, that is.)

[rogruth]

I think they are a little like Roadrunners in that they do not seem to fear people and can stay a certain distance away.

[webenda]

Have you ever noticed a similarity between Canadian Geese and Carrier Aircraft?

They both can fold and unfold their wings.


They both have landing hooks.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

I think they are a little like Roadrunners in that they do not seem to fear people and can stay a certain distance away.

From my consistent experience among them in the graveyard, they have no fear I have ever noted. In fact, they barely move to one side as we have walked among them and the headstones, They simply go about their business of nibbling here and there in the foliage. They move to accommodate their nibbling, not the movements of pedestrians. We have to move around them. And why not. Kinda nice to be able to be so close to them. And I like seeing them take-off and land, especially on the nearby river water.

[rogruth]

I think they are a little like Roadrunners in that they do not seem to fear people and can stay a certain distance away.

From my consistent experience among them in the graveyard, they have no fear I have ever noted. In fact, they barely move to one side as we have walked among them and the headstones, They simply go about their business of nibbling here and there in the foliage. They move to accommodate their nibbling, not the movements of pedestrians. We have to move around them. And why not. Kinda nice to be able to be so close to them. And I like seeing them take-off and land, especially on the nearby river water.

YES !

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Kinda nice to be able to be so close to them. And I like seeing them take-off and land, especially on the nearby river water.

Yes and no. There was a large flock over at the water where I once worked in NJ along Rt. 1 that would take off en masse and do strafing runs over the traffic. Goose poop bombing runs made driving a real hazard and then that same poop was caustic enough to remove finish and paint from cars. And not a thing that could be done as they were protected....

[robert.]

Geese are a real problem around here. The water dept. is having a heck of a time with fowl management. Parks and rec. is trying to remove as many geese as possible. With no luck. They only get pushed from one waterway to the other and then back. You should see the look on some parents faces when they get a fine for photographing their kid feeding a cute goose.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Geese are a real problem around here. The water dept. is having a heck of a time with fowl management. Parks and rec. is trying to remove as many geese as possible. With no luck. They only get pushed from one waterway to the other and then back. You should see the look on some parents faces when they get a fine for photographing their kid feeding a cute goose.

We had coyote mannequins on campus that worked for a while; they took them out and the geese came right back.

[chuck]

For a while there was a company in SE Michigan that did contract work where teams of "chasers" with SUV's and a couple of water/herding dogs in each that would harrass the flock and force them to move from pond to pond until they would get tired and fly off to some quieter place. They coordinated their harrassment runs so the geese got no rest and little time for gleaning. Dogs had a great time chasing the flocks.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

For a while there was a company in SE Michigan that did contract work where teams of "chasers" with SUV's and a couple of water/herding dogs in each that would harrass the flock and force them to move from pond to pond until they would get tired and fly off to some quieter place. They coordinated their harrassment runs so the geese got no rest and little time for gleaning. Dogs had a great time chasing the flocks.

Yes, dogs.......and then that got halted as being endangering the geese.........

[MurphOnMillerAve]

It's enjoyable reading those additional perspectives on geese. That's one of the aspects I appreciate about this forum, open minds, variety , and things to learn. I certainly don't visit here just to hear myself only. The variety is refreshing. Who wants just their own viewpoint ? That would be sad and self-limiting.

Agreement is nice. But so is becoming newly aware and learning .

[Rufus T. Firefly]

It's enjoyable reading those additional perspectives on geese.

BTW, properly cooked, they aren't bad eating either!

[chuck]

The herding dogs would not get in the water (which would be dangerous to them) and they would work in pairs to keep the geese moving. If the geese tried to seek "shelter" in the pond the dogs would circle the pond and bark like crazy until they flew off. The teams had maps of the ponds in the area under their "protection" and would relay that info to other nearby teams. If they "guessed" right the new team would be waiting and dogs would start barking as soon as the geese came in sight. The flock would have to go back up and look for another place to land. It worked quite well.

I think the issue was the dogs barking. As much as the property owners didn't like the geese they were more concerned with the barking dogs and what they felt was the potential of getting bitten by the dogs! Grand Traverse airport had a goose dog (even had a winter suit with boots, goggles and ear protection) to chase geese away from the runway.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

...... the potential of getting bitten by the dogs!

I remember that being one of the hysterical worries.... Bambi and the geese......let's eat!