• What to do about the geese?

    Question

    We'd like to discourage a flock of approximately 200 geese that spend their days on three adjoining properties in our neighborhood. Do you have any advice?

    Naturalist's Response

    Canada Geese, a common sight today, were nearly gone from Ohio before nesting pairs were brought back in the 1950s. Now large flocks of Canada Geese are common anywhere there are ponds, wetlands and lawns which is nearly everywhere in Geauga County. Geese feed on the short grass of mowed lawns which of course means undesirable green scat deposited on lawns and golf courses where geese are often regarded as a nuisance animal. A simple way to discourage geese is to mow less, creating meadow or forest habitat for pollinators or other wildlife. Geauga parks like Orchard Hills Park no longer have the large flocks of geese that were common there. Visit Orchard Hills to see how beautiful and goose-free the meadow and forest habitat is now. This link from the Ohio Division of Resources Division of Wildlife is a great source for ideas regarding your unwelcome flock.

    Good luck, and please let us know what works for you.

    -Naturalist Dottie Drockton