Years back we would see them winging their way south in gigantic Vees, landing in the bay
and moving on the next morning. It was the first harbinger of the fall as was their journey north
one of the first signs of spring.
Today they seem to have become lazy or acclimatised to our weather. Many do not migrate
and spend their lives near our bay. Perhaps our local population no longer has the instincts of
their ancestors and perhaps it is the legacy of milder winters, more available food and protection
from hunting in our area. Whatever the reason, they seem to be here to stay and to the point that
even the most ardent tree hugger has to have some misgivings.
In summer they are very aggressive when you approach their nests or young and they nest everywhere. They invade lawns, terrorize small dogs and their droppings are everywhere.
But it is the winter where the problem is most noticeable. They spend all their time on the ice or the small area of open water near the harbour entrance save for their twice daily pilgrimage to the corn fields north of us where they feed on the leftovers of the harvest.
As an adult goose can relieve itself of up to 3 pounds of droppings per day and it is estimated that by the end of winter there will be over 100 tons of goose poop sitting on the ice.
The next time you visit the beach please refrain from bringing bread with you to feed the geese, especially if you are coming down to let your children play in the water.
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