The Canadian geese population in our area has really taken off over the last few years. While some enjoy the birdwatching, others consider them a nuisance. One local man saw it as a business opportunity.
One area where the geese like to flock is off Route 8 in Shaler Township. There’s a creek that runsbehind several businesses. The geese have been growing in population and size there. Sometimes they block traffic, especially during rush hour.
“A week and a half ago on a Monday, they stopped traffic for about 10 minutes at 7:30 in the morning when traffic is backed up to begin with,” says Dr. Vincent Morealle, whose chiropractic office is right across from the creek.
The geese have apparently gotten used to the traffic. They barely move for cars trying to make their way into the local Burger King, Shop ‘n Save, or Dunkin’.
“I can see how they’re a nuisance to people,” says Joel Lang, who frequently shops in the area.
Brandon Bowen and his wife own a business called Geese Police. He’s the local expert in shooing away the geese, but he says it can be challenging. Canadian geese are federally protected. It’s illegal to poison them. He uses specially trained dogs to herd the birds and scare them away, but even that is illegal in Pennsylvania during the spring and early summer months. So the flocks keep growing and making a mess.
“Well they poop. That’s just how it is. Per bird, it’s about a pound and a half to two pounds a day. When they’re actively feeding, they go every 7 to 7 and a half minutes,” says Bowen.
That explains why property owners would like to get rid of them, but these birds never leaver, not even for winter. Bowen says they’re resident birds, meaning they no longer migrate south. That’s partly due to milder winters and people who regularly stop by to feed them, which further explains why the geese don’t fear humans or vehicles. That means drivers will have to continue dodging the geese and their droppings. Think of it as playing chicken… with geese.
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