Are they the foulest of fowl?

Canada Geese thrive along Rideau River and Canal to the dismay of park users

JOHN DANCE

Large, remarkable and adaptable Canada Geese are becoming increasingly numerous along the Rideau River and Canal in Ottawa. Park and pathway users must dodge and step carefully when they approach the massive birds that may have wingspans greater than some people’s height.

The City of Ottawa has taken numerous measures to limit the geese populations in some urban areas, but the prolific fowl seem not particularly deterred as they slow down pedestrians and cyclists on pathways and graze on the apparently delectable grass of the river and canal parkland.

In addition, Canada Geese have proved to be very adaptable. “In many parts of southern Canada, Canada Geese exist in large numbers where only 30 years ago they were uncommon, and 55 years ago were considered to be extirpated,” CWS says.

 Increased population

“The present-day southern landscape provides an abundance of high-quality habitat for geese so they have expanded greatly in numbers and distribution,” CWS notes. And once a goose finds a spot she likes she returns every year with her life-long mate.

At Brantwood Park, Canada Geese come ashore at the old beach area and other spots where there isn’t dense vegetation. In other areas along the river, the goose problem is more pronounced. “Down at our old spot at Billings [Bridge], the Canada Geese population was very high, so it seems like a reduction here,” says Laura Zak, operator of SUP Ottawa, now located at Brantwood.

Long-time Brantwood Park user Jamie Rigby wrote to The Mainstreeter, “We’ve been having a lot of geese problems in our park with it covered in geese poo and them scaring away families. Mooney‘s Bay beach is so disgusting, you can barely walk on it, never mind play on the sand.”

One Facebook OOE Grapevine poster noted, “The poop on the canal walkways is annoying, but they’re birds! The earth is their toilet, even in the city. I will continue to watch my step for landmines, ha-ha.” Another said, “I love that cars regularly stop to let geese cross the road along Riverside Drive between Billings Bridge and the R.A. Centre. Also, bikers, runners, and geese happily share the pathways along the Rideau River.”

Controls difficult

But the love is far from universal. “I believe they’re getting out of hand,” commented one resident.” I keep thinking that somebody should come up with a small business plan to harvest them and make them into dog food.”

While hunting of geese is allowed in rural areas in the fall, the Canada Geese are protected at all other times by the Migratory Birds Convention Act, and a permit is required from CWS if drastic measures are wanted. For instance, the City of Windsor recently received a federal permit to remove 150 eggs from seven nesting areas and approved $30,000 for a “geese management strategy.

A key part of the City of Ottawa’s strategy is to convince residents not to feed Canada geese, and for that matter, other so-called “nuisance” birds such as pigeons and ducks.

“The City employs an aerial hazing program through a licensed contractor,” says Kendra Labrosse, manager of parks and grounds maintenance. “This year, the program operates at Petrie Island, Andrew Haydon Park, and for the first time, Dick Bell Park. The contractor uses various drones equipped with flashing lights and distress noises and operates from early June until Labour Day. Given Mooney’s Bay’s proximity to the airport, the City is not allowed to use drones in this area to deter geese. Staff have recently begun using a remote-controlled car that follows and disperses the geese, much like a dog would.”

In addition, “egg management practices” are in place at Riverain Park, Strathcona Park, Bordeleau Park, Kingsview Park, Andrew Haydon Park, and Petrie Island. This practice will begin at Mooney’s Bay Park in 2026. The City also has coyote decoys at Petrie Island, Andrew Haydon Park and Mooney’s Bay Park. So far none of the Old Ottawa East and Old Ottawa South parks has received any special Canada Goose control measures.

For its part, the National Capital Commission endorses the City’s “no feeding strategy” but told The Mainstreeter, “Currently, there are few known effective, feasible, and sustainable measures to limit the presence of Canada Geese in riverside parks that are easily accessible to the species. Planting trees and shrubs is one measure the NCC is implementing, which can help reduce the site’s appeal to geese.”

On the one hand, Canada geese can be simply a messy inconvenience and minor obstruction but, on the other hand, their fecal dump to the river doesn’t endear them to some residents’ seeking to ensure that the Rideau River becomes a safe place to swim.