geese

EMERSON PARK CANADA GOOSE MANAGEMENT(Branta canadensis): 

EMERSON PARK CANADA GOOSE MANAGEMENT (Branta canadensis)

History of the beach at Emerson Park: 

History of the beach at Emerson Park Beach has been periodically closed due to high fecal coliform bacteria counts during the summer if the 5 day average is over 200.0 mf/100mls. DNA identification technique used to determine sources of bacteria. Waterfowl most common source of coliform contamination.

A Source Control Plan Implemented: 

A Source Control Plan Implemented To enhance the water quality of Owasco Lake. Reduce the population of waterfowl in Owasco Lake Watershed and Emerson Park.

Harassment of Waterfowl using Trained Dogs: 

Harassment of Waterfowl using Trained Dogs Take Flight Goose Management is hired in April 2004 to reduce waterfowl populations headed by Mary Ann Kras and Heather Millen. TFGM Visits Emerson Park 1-4 times per day with the use of trained Border Collies. Geese can not habituate method of Border Collies because the dogs are perceived as a natural predator to the geese.

Gyp and Meg: 

Gyp and Meg

Why Border Collies?: 

Why Border Collies? Use of Border Collies more feasible than other methods. For example, Sprays such as Rejex-it are expensive and require several applications after rain, mowing, etc. Spray is sold for $79.95/gallon

Progress of Management Plan: 

Progress of Management Plan According to public, there were over 150 Canada geese before plan was implemented. Since April of 2004, Resident Goose population has been reduced to 37 Geese.

Why does the plan need to be continued?: 

Why does the plan need to be continued? The geese will learn to respond to the harassment techniques so that their behavior patterns will be altered. The geese are learning to become more afraid of humans, watercrafts, and dogs. If the harassment from dogs ceases, the geese may return to the pre-treated numbers. Eventually, the geese will respond to any of these signals from the general public.

Observations: 

Observations Geese are molting There are 7 geese that are very persistent residing at the beach area. The group of geese with the Young of the Year are not as frequent in the beach area.

Where are the Geese going?: 

Where are the Geese going? The large flock of geese seem to be residing at Martin Point on the east shore of Owasco Lake. Martin Point is about one mile south of Emerson Park Main Beach.

Martin Point Looking back at Emerson Park: 

Martin Point Looking back at Emerson Park

Other Areas Geese Reside: 

Other Areas Geese Reside

Goose Responsiveness to Border Collies: 

Goose Responsiveness to Border Collies Geese more easily flushed with the dog in the boat. Respond much faster when dog is present than when dog is not present. Geese know that dog can be released from boat to swim after them at anytime. Geese feel that they are in constant danger with the presence of the dogs.

Bay: 

Bay

Meg: 

Meg

Continuation of Treatment Important: 

Continuation of Treatment Important Continuing treatment from TFGM is needed to ensure that the non-resident geese returning to the area will follow the behavioral patterns of the resident geese. TFGM is needed as a “back-up” for Cayuga County Soil and Water because of the goose response to the Border Collies.

Post Molting: 

Post Molting There are 10 geese frequenting the main beach area routinely. Discovered one goose is injured in some way and cannot fly. According to the office of Parks and Recreation, geese are noticeably more fearful and responsive since program has been initiated.

Plan Evaluation: 

Plan Evaluation Fecal Coliform data for 2004 should be evaluated and compared to 2003 data. Adjustments to Emerson Park Goose Management should be made in the fall following evaluation.