Geese Problem in the Rochester Area. 

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Geese problem in Rochester News

Recourses on the geese problem

Sometimes (it seems) tolerating geese that crowd our lawn, ponds, and streets makes us want to eliminate them altogether. That doesn’t make much sense environmentally or humanely, but as we sprawl out into the wilderness animals that we used to encounter only in the wilds now find our new properties home. Anyway, here’s a very good article about why the geese population has increased so much and what the government is considering doing about the ‘problem.’ New gander at goose control - Newsday.com Some cry fowl as new set of rules enable less restricted removal of the Canadian birds some see as nuisance - Joggers and golfers tired of dodging goose droppings take heart: New federal regulations that give states more flexibility to manage their resident Canada geese populations could make it easier to remove the birds from Long Island's parks, golf courses, airports and farms. The new rules issued last month by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are intended to streamline the process for goose control - from destroying nests and eggs to shooting or euthanizing adult birds. Such actions previously required federal permits because the birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. -- (September 13, 2006) Newsday.com: News, Entertainment and Sports

A growing concern in this area is the increase in Canadian Geese population. What does the New York State Department of Conservation recommend?   When Geese Become a Problem New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources and U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Geese Problem in the News

• We've cooked our own goose over Canada geese - Humans have a meddling hand in the mess they've made. July 29, 07) Democrat & Chronicle
• Canada geese are foul play - Nuisance birds shrug off area shooings, leave big mess behind - Canada geese have been a problem in this area for years, not only because of their droppings but because of the traffic problems they cause and the damage they do to lawns, which they eat. Municipal leaders, golf-course superintendents and others have tried a variety of methods to deal with the birds, which are protected by federal and state laws and regulations. (July 29, 07) Democrat & Chronicle
• Democrat & Chronicle: Brighton to show off its war with Canada geese — BRIGHTON — After a two-year process to stabilize the Canada goose population in the town, Brighton town officials want to share their research with neighboring communities. Tonight, members of Brighton’s Canada Goose Task Force will unveil a 15-minute video that chronicles the town’s efforts to find a humane solution to traffic safety and public nuisance problems caused by Canada geese, said Brighton Director of Communications Steve Dodd. (November 13, 2002)  Democrat and Chronicle
• Geese causing swimmer's itch? Cases of an itchy, burning rash have been reported in Honeoye Lake but not Canandaigua, Keuka or other nearby lakes. RICHMOND - A flock of Canadian geese has made Honeoye Lake their home this summer, which may be contributing to another uninvited seasonal guest, a parasite that causes swimmer's itch. (August 20, 2002) Daily Messenger
• Democrat & Chronicle: Two arrested for attack on Canada goose — Two golf course employees were charged Wednesday with cruelty to animals after allegedly wounding a Canada goose Tuesday at Ravenwood Golf Course. Police and state Department of Environmental Conservation authorities are investigating the attack on a nesting pair of Canada geese and their young. (May 9, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
• Geese Attracted To Local Neighborhood Rochester, NY - A man who lives in the town of Greece says that he woke up to hundreds of Geese in his backyard. At first he thought that the birds were attracted to the apple orchard behind his house. But he soon found out that the feathered friends were attracted to what lies beneath the apples. (Tuesday, October 2, 2001)  iKnowRochester.com  
• Brighton Combats Geese Problem  Volunteers from the Brighton Goose Task Force began an effort to control the rising population of geese Saturday.  ( April 16, 2001) RNews.com
• Brighton geese ruffle feathers Town officials head off flap over soaring population by 'addling' eggs  ( April 15, 2001)  --DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
• Collie Patrol To Control Geese In Brighton Brighton, NY - With the arrival of spring, Canada geese are making their reappearance in Brighton, along with the problems they present. This year, Brighton is taking 'aim' at the overpopulation issue with a dog named Arrow. (Friday, April 13, 2001) iKnowRochester.com 
• One case in duck hunt dismissed The hunter who accused a woman of interfering with the taking of game must now face charges himself.  (Friday, April 6, 2001) Canandaigua.com 
• Brighton begins steps to reduce goose population Permits for egg addling are in the process of being secured. The town of Brighton has declared war on its resident goose population. With the passage of the town's new goose mitigation plan, the town has started taking steps to reduce the goose population. (April 4, 2001) Brighton Pittsford Post. 
• Here a goose, there a goose A brood of Canada geese rests along Canandaigua Lake. For the past five years, wildlife biologists have been trying to decrease the number of resident geese in the area. (Messenger Post photo by Rikki Van Camp) ( April 3, 2001) Canandaigua.com  
• Geese Feeders To Be Fined In Brighton Brighton, NY - You may want to think twice before tossing breadcrumbs to the geese in Brighton. The Town Board voted Thursday night to fine park-goers for feeding geese and other waterfowl. (February 15, 2001)  RochesterToday News
• Brighton To Hold Town Meeting Over Problem With Geese Brighton, NY - The people of Brighton are seeking to make peace -- with the geese. An expert in dealing with geese will be in town to offer suggestions for dealing with a problem reported back in September. (February 6, 2001)  RochesterToday News
• A flock of problems  Feeding wild waterfowl can alter their migration instincts and spread diseases, experts say.
  CANANDAIGUA — Ducks, seagulls and a few geese — fat with french fries and bread — mingle on the sidewalk of the City Pier, waiting for their next snack. (November 16, 2000) Daily Messenger. 
• Town wrestles with goose problem Brighton will hold a meeting Oct. 5 to develop solutions. Last Thursday, residents and town officials who attended a public meeting tackled possible solutions to Brighton's gaggle of a problem. (September 30, 2000) Brighton-Pittsford Post
• Brighton Town Park Overrun With Geese  The Town of Brighton is faced with a rather unusual and messy problem. A large population of geese at the Brighton Town Park prompted a town meeting Thursday night, to discuss ways to deal with these feathered pests. (September 8, 2000) NewsSource 13

Resources for information and solutions to geese problems

• Rochester Birding Association: Welcome to home page of the Rochester Birding Association, RBA, located in Rochester, NY on the southern shore of Lake Ontario. Our mission is to enable residents of the Greater Rochester Area to gain a fuller appreciation of the region's birds and its birding.
• GeesePeace in Fairfax is an exciting pilot project involving a public/private partnership to reduce the nuisance aspect of Canada geese in Fairfax County through humane, non-controversial, wildlife management practices and technology innovation.
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service World Wide Web Site This is a very comprehensive web site and includes a lot of services. 
• Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology --Everything pertaining to birds and bird studies.  Lots of programs about birds you can sign up for.
• Cornell Cooperative Extension Home Page: On the environment, this organization's lists of help on the environment for the Rochester area is so extensive that you'll just have to check it out. Especially useful for the general public is Home Programs.
• Nuisance Canada Geese - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Nuisance Canada Geese Canada geese are a valuable natural resource that provide recreation and enjoyment to bird watchers, hunters, and the general public throughout New York State. But in recent years, flocks of local-nesting or "resident" geese have become year-round inhabitants of our parks, waterways, residential areas, and golf courses, and too often, they are causing significant problems.