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Management
1. Strategies
Management of Canada geese on Long Island is overseen by the USFWS, USDA, and NYSDEC. The goal of the agencies regarding resident Canada geese is to reduce the population to 85,000 in New York (NYSDEC, n.d). While all three agencies provide information on management techniques for the geese, only the USDA employs management strategies for the geese on a regular basis. Many establishments on Long Island take on management strategies themselves whilst adhering to state and federal legislation. This section describes and details the techniques used for different establishments.
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Airports
The Federal Avian Administration (FAA) mandates that if an airport has had incidents of aircraft collisions with wildlife in its operating history then it must create a Wildlife Hazard Management Plan (Airport Cooperative Research Program, 2013). The programs must abide by state and federal laws pertaining to wildlife management as well as FAA regulations for such programs (Rillstone & Dineen, 2013). A snapshot of management strategies at Long Island airports: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International Airport Laura Francoeur, Chief Wildlife Biologist for the Port Authority explained that the Port Authority utilizes Canada goose management strategies on and off airport property. She added that LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport use a variety of techniques such as lasers, paintballs, pyrotechnics, and vehicles to harass geese. Ms. Francoeur also mentioned that lethal methods are used. A passive strategy is also in place, she explained, in the form of tall fescue plantings. According to Ms. Francoeur, the fescue is a type of grass that has been altered by growers with an endophyte which makes consuming the grass less appealing to the geese.
Francis S. Gabreski Airport Airport Manager Anthony Ceglio explained that the airport utilizes wooden dog silhouettes on rods that rotate with wind direction to scare Canada geese away. He said that the technique is successful as the geese do not land on the airport anymore. Mr. Ceglio stated that the silhouettes were placed around the airport approximately two years ago and have remained there throughout the year.
Brookhaven Calabro Airport According to Martin Haley, Commissioner of General Services and Management for the airport, there are no issues with Canada geese so the airport does not use any management strategies.
MacArthur Airport Robert Schneider, Deputy Commissioner and Director of Operations for the airport explained that several strategies are used to manage Canada geese there as part of their Wildlife Hazard Management Program. He said that the airport has ten air cannons which go off on a timer every fifteen minutes and make a loud noise to scare the geese and that if that is unsuccessful then pyrotechnics are used. Mr. Schneider also stated that a shotgun is used only a few times per year if the other techniques are not successful.
Republic Airport John Lauth, Airport Operations Manager said that the airport uses a variety of management methods for Canada geese. Cracker shells from shotguns which make a loud noise and propane air cannons which go off during cloudy conditions are two strategies used to scare geese away from the airport, he explained. He also mentioned that electronic owls that make screeching sounds are placed around the airport to scare the geese.
Golf courses
Attempts to manage Canada geese on Long Island golf courses stem from a variety of conflicts as previously described.Golf course literature describes the geese as a potential issue and recommends methods to mitigate damage they can cause. A report titled “Best management practices for New York State Golf Courses” warns that Canada geese and other waterfowl may contaminate water and suggests water quality monitoring for golf courses (Portmess, Grant, Jordan, & Rossi, 2014). Goose management strategies are also incorporated into pest control initiatives for lands including golf courses. A 2007 Integrated Pest Management Program report for Nassau County recommended planting tall species of grass around water bodies on golf courses and in parks to avert geese (Cornell Cooperative Extension, 2007). The report suggested that the grass would serve as a natural boundary around the water thus making access to the water difficult (Cornell Cooperative Extension, 2007). On Long Island Canada goose management mostly employs the herding and chasing skills of dogs. A snapshot of management strategies at Long Island golf courses: The Woodmere Club According to Timothy Benedict, Superintendent, the club uses two dogs, a Border Collie and an Australian Shepard, to chase geese on a daily basis. He noted that previously, the club utilized pyrotechnics to ward off the geese.
Atlantic Golf Club W. James Matthers, General Manager, explained that the golf course does not use any management strategies for Canada geese. He attributed their lack of presence on the course to corn fields and a pond which are adjacent to it. He explained that these features are a bigger attractant for the geese than the golf course, so the course does not experience issues with them.
The Seawane Club Golf Course Superintendent Brian Benedict explained that the only management strategy used for Canada geese on the golf course is the use of two Border Collies that herd the geese away each day. He noted that previously the club used decoys in the shape of coyotes but found them to be unsuccessful in keeping geese off the property.
Gull Haven Golf Club; St. George’s Golf and Country Club; Windwatch Golf and Country Club Kristine Schmidt, President and owner of Environmental Geese Control stated that her company provides goose management services for the golf course.
Municipalities
Strategies utilized by municipalities are diverse and range from actively hazing geese to enacting laws to discourage their presence. Information on Canada goose management in the following counties, towns, and villages was available for this report.
Queens and Kings Counties Andrew Clapper, a District Supervisor for the USDA, the USDA does population estimates of Canada geese in New York City parks within a seven mile radius of New York City airports. He explained that the estimates are only done at parks which the USDA has determined to have ideal environmental settings for the geese.
Hunting is the best management tool we have [for ducks and geese],’ Harry Knock, regional wildlife supervisor [New York State Department of Environmental Conservation]” –“Toxic Ducks Worry Hunters” (Lederer, 1981)
Nassau County The county has enacted legislation related to Canada goose management. Local Law Number 7 prohibits the feeding of migratory waterfowl on county property (Nassau County, 2007). The fine for an initial offense is $100 to $500 (Nassau County, 2007). An additional violation within five years will warrant a fine ranging from $250 to $750 (Nassau County, 2007).
Nassau County Parks According to Frank Camerlengo, Deputy Commissioner of Nassau County Parks, the parks department collaborates with the USDA to manage Canada geese. He said that USDA has captured the geese in Nassau County parks about three times in the last four years and processed the meat for food pantries. Mr. Camerlengo added that the USDA has also done egg oiling sporadically for the past four years in Grant Park, Inwood Park, and North Woodmere Park. He also provided the information that for the past several years the county has used the Geese Peace program, which services all county facilities with goose hazing by Border Collies. In addition, he said that signs are posted throughout the parks to dissuade people from feeding the geese and that dog silhouettes are also up. Mr. Camerlengo expressed that he personally felt that all of the management techniques have been greatly successful and have reduced the goose population in the last four years.
Town of North Hempstead In 2005, the town began using the Geese Peace program, but by 2013 they had entered into a controversy when they planned to let the USDA euthanize hundreds of geese in town parks (Chauvin, 2005; Tedesco, 2013). They ultimately decided not to go through with the plan as a result of pressure from animal rights groups and the public (Tedesco, 2013). According to Ryan Mulholland, Deputy Commissioner of Communications, the town currently uses management strategies which follow the Geese Peace model for Canada goose management. to haze geese. He added that there are signs up dissuading people from feeding geese in Ridders Pond Park and Roslyn Pond Park.
Town of Oyster Bay According to Tom Licata, Assistant Director for the Department of Environmental Resources, town employees draw upon knowledge from Geese Peace training and information from the NYSDEC to manage Canada geese. He said that three border collies are used in three zones within the town to chase geese. Mr. Licata added that the town used to be involved with private entities, but now only provide services for the town. He expressed that he found the use of Border Collies to be successful. He said that the town’s Department of Environmental Resources is responsible for all Canada goose management, and that residents can sign a waiver if a nest is on their property for egg oiling services, but any other management needs are the homeowner’s responsibility. Mr. Licata also confirmed that signs are up in the town dissuading people from feeding the geese. A 2005 news article mentioned that a method the town used in the past was flying hawk shaped kites to scare geese away (Karppi, 2005). The town also has also enacted legislation involving Canada geese. Ordinance §103-20 prohibits the feeding of migratory waterfowl on town property (Town of Oyster Bay, n.d). An initial offense can be penalized with a $100 to $500 fine (Town of Oyster Bay, n.d). If the ordinance is violated again within five years, the fine can range from $250 to $750 (Town of Oyster Bay, n.d). The following villages have Canada goose management programs in place, the details of which are not known: Village of Laurel Hollow, Village of Cove Neck, Village of Oyster Bay Cove, Village of Muttontown, Village of Upper Brookville, Village of Mill Neck, Village of Lattingtown (Oyster Bay Cold Spring Harbor Protection Committee, n.d.)
Canada geese on the golf course at the Woodcrest Club in Muttontown, NY Credit: Bill Alemaghides
Town of Hempstead According to the town’s website, the town utilizes the Geese Peace program to manage Canada geese through egg oiling and “nuisance abatement” (Town of Hempstead, n.d). The website also says that management services can be provided through the Town of Hempstead Department of Conservation and Waterways (Town of Hempstead, n.d). In February of 2014 the town passed legislation that makes it a violation to overfeed geese and other birds (Town of Hempstead, 2014). A New York Post article from 2010 reviewed some of the management methods that were used at the time-which included using a remote controlled car and boat to scare geese away, as well as border collies (Crowley, 2010). The article also mentioned that the town did egg oiling (Crowley, 2010).
Village of Rockville Centre According to Harry Weed, Superintendent of Public Works, the village utilizes a remote control toy car on baseball and soccer fields as needed to haze Canada geese. He added that sometimes a green laser pointer is used at night to scare them away.
Suffolk County
Town of Babylon Richard Groh, Chief Environmental Analyst explained that town employees have been trained by Geese Peace and use Border Collies to chase the geese daily in the morning and evening. He said that the dogs work in five parks in the town: Phelps Lane Park, Tanner Park, Venetian Shores Park, Van Bourgondien Park, and the town hall complex. Mr. Groh also mentioned that the town does egg oiling in the early spring and that signs are posted telling people not to feed the geese. Ordinance §106-40 prohibits feeding domestic or migratory waterfowl on town property (Town of Babylon, n.d). An initial offense warrants a fine ranging from $100 to $500 (Town of Babylon, n.d). An additional violation during a five year time span raises the penalty to a range of $250 to $750 (Town of Babylon, n.d).
Town of Brookhaven Anthony Graves, Chief Environmental Analyst said that the town has one person who is licensed to do egg oiling, but little egg oiling is actually done. He confirmed that no other management takes place in the town but said that there are signs up saying that feeding the geese is prohibited. Town ordinance §10A-3 prohibits feeding waterfowl in any park (Town of Brookhaven, n.d). . The penalty can be either a fine up to $250 and/or up to ten days in jail (Town of Brookhaven, n.d). A storm water management plan for the town suggested that geese should not be fed and that distributed educational material should discuss geese and the risk of pathogen transmission (Town of Brookhaven, n.d).
Town of Huntington Christian Granelli, a Planner for the town said that egg oiling is done in late April for two to three days by staff trained by Geese Peace, himself included. However, he said he could not tell if the oiling has been successful for goose population reduction as no population estimates are done. He also mentioned that about 10 years ago Border Collies were used to haze geese. According to Bob Lietzke, Environmental Programs Coordinator, the town has tried to offset what is suspected to be the effects of goose feces by releasing 36 sterilized Asian grass carp two years ago to reduce algae growth in Heckscher Pond. Mr. Lietzke also said that there are signs up in the town discouraging people from feeding geese. Town ordinance §159-4 prohibits the feeding of wildlife in parks and a violation can carry a fine ranging from $50 to $1,000 (Town of Huntington, n.d).
Town of Islip, Village of Saltaire In an effort to avert Canada geese from new sod on an athletic field, Georgine Posillico, a Village Official, said that decoy coyotes were used but they were not successful. She added that recently installed gas cannons that make noise every 20 minutes were effective but scared pet dogs, so the village is hoping to seek alternatives.
Town of Riverhead Ordinance §112-2 prohibits the feeding of geese on town property and the fine for an offense is $50 (Town of Riverhead, n.d). .
Town of Southampton According to Ed Warner, Jr., President of the Town of Southampton Trustees, there is no Canada goose management taking place in the town. Ordinance §150-14.1 prohibits feeding geese on public property (Town of Southhampton, n.d). The first offense fine ranges from $50 to $250, the second offense fine can be $100 to $250, and there is a penalty of $150 to $250 for any additional offenses (Town of Southhampton, n.d).
Town of Southold John Sepenoski, a GIS Technician stated that there is no management program currently in place for Canada geese in the town. Ideas from employees and members of the public drafted in “The New Comprehensive Plan for the Town of Southold” describe potentially creating plans to manage Canada geese in the future and to work with state and federal agencies to establish a year round hunting season for farmers to mitigate crop damage (Town of Southold, 2013). Ordinance §83-28 prohibits feeding waterfowl on public land or water and designates a $250 fine for a violation (Town of Southold, 2013).
Goose culls
Goose culls have long been a controversial practice, and Long Island has not been isolated from the much debated management method. Frank Camerlengo explained that culls by the USDA have greatly reduced the goose population in Nassau County Parks and cited it as a benefit. However, organizations such as Long Island Orchestrating for Nature, Friends of Animals, and Goose Watch NYC have advocated against the cullings for years (Tedesco, 2013; Rao, 2012). Depending on the people or entity which applies for a permit, there are several methods that could potentially be used to cull geese.
A flyer for the Canada goose management program in the Town of Babylon (Reprinted with Permission) Credit: Adrienne Holmes and the Town of Babylon Environmental Control
2. Services
Non-profit organizations
Geese Peace is a national organization which aims to manage geese in a humane way (86). Their program for goose management encompasses several different strategies, including harassment of geese using Border Collies and lasers, egg oiling, and land modification (86). In using these techniques, the organization hopes to deescalate conflicts with Canada geese (86). Some municipalities on Long Island receive training from Geese Peace staff to manage geese on their property (86).
Private companies
Goose management companies on Long Island operate through the talents of Border Collies and their handlers. Border Collies are working dogs that were originally bred to herd sheep in England. Today they are still widely trained as herding dogs, and on Long Island they use their skills to chase Canada geese. There are at least five companies operating on Long Island as goose management services which use Border Collies to chase geese away.
Jade, a Border Collie with Long Island Geese Control, swims after a Canada goose at Islip High School Credit: Freddy Bayer Courtesy of Bill Alemaghides
A closer look at goose management service operations
Town of Huntington
Figure 4. Eggs oiled ar ound the Town of Huntington dur ing 2014 Credit: Christian Granelli
Figure 5. Number of eggs oiled in the Town of Huntington by year
Town of North Hempstead
Town of Oyster Bay
Figure 6. Number of eggs oiled in the Town of Oyster Bay by year (58)
Table 2. . Selected inter view r esponses fr om two pr ivate goose management companies.
Long Island Goose Control,
Est. 1998 Interviewee: Bill Alemaghides, Jr. President
Environmental Geese Control
Est. 2002 Interviewee: Kristine Schmidt President and Owner
Most service requests occur
Attempted attacks by geese during time of operation Type of establishment serviced the most
Most common reason people want geese moved from their property
Service request demand over time Spring and Winter
Yes
Schools, gated communities
Excessive goose feces
Has increased Spring and Fall
Yes
Office buildings, golf courses, parks, home owner associations
Excessive goose feces
Has increased
