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Introduction Every year, thousands of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) migrate south in the fall and winter along paths of travel called flyways. A portion of the population migrates through an area which includes eastern states in the U.S. from Maine down to Florida; this area is known as the Atlantic Flyway (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), n.d). Within the flyway, several populations of Canada geese exist, distinguished by their breeding ranges and subspecies composition (USFWS, n.d). One such population is known as the Atlantic flyway resident population due to their mostly year-round presence in the southernmost parts of Canada and eastern United States (USFWS, n.d). These geese populations occupy an area that contrasts with other Canada geese populations, which subsist in northern regions of Canada for most of their lives (USFWS, n.d). Resident Canada geese were introduced through a combination of government sanctioned efforts to increase the Canada geese population and changes in hunting regulations which made it illegal to use live Canada geese to attract other birds (USFWS, n.d). Both events occurred in the mid-1900s, and people who used to keep geese to use as decoys set them free after the practice was made illegal (USFWS, n.d). These factors and the instinct of Canada geese to breed near their birthplace culminated in the establishment of a localized population (USFWS, n.d). Canada geese are monogamous and will stay with their mate throughout their lives (NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), 2007). The breeding season for resident population geese begins in February (NYSDEC, 2007). A pair of geese will construct a nest and tend to a clutch of five or six eggs for close to one month (NYSDEC, 2007). After goslings hatch in the spring, the adults molt their feathers during the summer, becoming flightless for a brief time (NYSDEC, 2007). In the fall and winter the geese regain the ability to fly with newly grown feathers and have an expanded foraging range (NYSDEC, 2007). Resident geese populations have become a unique case for wildlife management organizations and the public alike. Canada geese are listed under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which assigns protection to migratory birds wherein it is a violation of federal law to kill, capture, hunt, breed, handle, harm, sell, or move them without federal permits (USFWS, n.d). However, the large population size of resident Canada geese within the Atlantic flyway is considered to be a source of conflict for people (NYSDEC, 2007). The ensuing conflict has spurred wildlife management organizations to address management of the birds with a heightened focus (USDA, 2004). Anecdotes, professional research, and passionate citizenry chronicle the history of Long Island residents and the local Canada geese. For some, interactions with the birds consist only of an ongoing battle to keep the geese off of their property. For others, the only battle is an ongoing effort to keep the birds from being disturbed. This report is an assessment of the history and current status of the Canada geese population on Long Island. As a result of consultation with municipalities, private groups, individuals, and state and federal wildlife management organizations, conflicts, management strategies, applicable laws, and plans for the future regarding the geese are detailed within the report. Resources for residents of Long Island are also provided.
Note: For the purpose of this report, all references to the geographic area of Long Island are meant to describe Nassau, Suffolk, Kings, and Queens counties collectively.
