EMERSON PARK CANADA GOOSE MANAGEMENT Branta canadensis

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EMERSON PARK CANADA GOOSE MANAGEMENT(Branta
canadensis)
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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.

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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.

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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.

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Gyp and Meg
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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Martin Point Looking back at Emerson Park
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Other Areas Geese Reside
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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.

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Bay
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Meg
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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.

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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.

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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.