Update on Geese Control Measures at Point Park

Earlier this spring, we shared our plans for geese control measures at Point Park in Sydenham to keep our parks safe and beaches open this summer.

We are doing everything we can to redirect the geese from our public parks within regulations set out in the "Handbook for managing Canada geese and cackling geese in southern Canada" as prescribed by the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada.

This includes:

• Monitoring and cleaning the park daily
• Using herding dogs who have been coming to the Point two and three times a day to redirect the geese; we’ve also engaged the services of Royal Canadian Falconry to use birds of prey. The dogs are coming three times a day at sunrise and sunset when the geese are most likely to be present, as well as one random time during the day
• Using natural, approved repellents, streamers, visual distractions, remote control boats and away with geese beacons with limited success
• Using new coyote decoys
• This spring we obtained a permit to destroy nests and eggs on Township property and on the property of a local business owner. No nests were found — the geese appear to be nesting in back bays on the lake so we hope to work with other property owners on the lake going forward to seek permits.
• We are currently working with the Ministry to get permission to relocate the geese.

Do not feed the geese!

During our daily monitoring, we’ve found evidence of people feeding the geese at Point Park. This is making it harder to relocate them as they become reliant on humans as a food source. We’re asking the public to help our efforts by not feeding the geese or any wildlife on public property and watch and report any signs of vandalism or theft of decoys and beacons.

Coyote decoy at Point Park