Day 198: As if it wasn't tough enough to squeeze my daily walk in between traffic, possible human contact and disputes with a herd of elk over the right-of-way, now I have to contend with Canada geese. Make no mistake: this is a large bird, and the advantage it has over humans is that it can fly, and it does not hesitate to do so, straight toward anyone it perceives as being in its territory. In this particular scenario, Mr. Goose and I were on opposite sides of a barbed-wire fence, but we were in eye contact for some time as the goose assessed whether or not I was a rival. I know to pick my battles; I can rout a herd of elk, but Goose won the staring contest and I moved on.
Branta canadensis populations are somewhat reduced from what they were in Washington a decade ago, but in many areas, they continue to be abundant and are considered pests. Public education about geese is important to controlling their numbers. When favoured by human contributions to food sources, goose populations can rise quite rapidly, so eliminating potential foods is an effective deterrent. Many parks post signs cautioning people not to feed geese and ducks. This not only discourages them from visiting the space, but is also better for the overall health of the birds. Two groups of honkers populate the state: residents (non-migratory) and non-residents (migratory). For a young goose to migrate, it must be taught its route by its parents. If the parents are non-migratory, all subsequent generations will be non-migratory as well. That said, if you're watching a flock of cute little goslings, don't forget to look behind you occasionally. "Getting goosed" can be a very painful and memorable experience.
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