Resident Geese on Lake Waramaug - Information and Resources
Background
Canadian geese are supposed to migrate, but over the past 75 years, because of changes in hunting regulations in the early 1900’s and changes in local habitats and climate, living conditions have become much more hospitable in recent years, leading to a rapidly growing “resident” population at Lake Waramaug.
The growing resident geese population was one of the top issues identified in the Lake Waramaug Association’s Nov. 2020 Member Survey. The LWA created a Geese Committee in January, 2021, and conducted research using sources that included the CT DEEP (Department of Energy & Environmental Protection), the US Department of Agriculture - Wildlife Services Division, the Lake Waramaug Task Force (Sean Hayden - Executive Director), and Lake residents. In addition, the LWA held a community Discussion & Information Share on Zoom on July 12, 2021.
Findings and resources are listed below. Please note: The LWA does not endorse any particular solution(s).
We greatly appreciate everyone’s interest in this complicated issue and welcome any further ideas/comments/questions/additional resources - please reach out to us via the waramaugassoc.org/contact page. We will continue to share information and updates with the Lake community and are also working to develop and distribute an information packet to all homeowners who live around the Lake.
Issues and Concerns
The geese population on Lake Waramaug has been growing quickly. While we don’t have an official count, informal surveys by residents during the winter months and Task Force reports have estimated that there are as many as 1,000 resident geese on and around the lake.
Why this is important: A single goose can deposit 1-1.5 pounds of feces per day. Fecal matter from the geese washes into the lake after rain storms which promotes growth of E. coli bacteria and releases nitrogen which can affect our health and the health of our lake. Water testing for E. coli is done weekly/bi-weekly at the local beaches, depending on the location, and according to surveys done by the LWTF, these numbers have been trending higher over the past 10 years. High levels of E. coli can lead to short-term beach closures during the summer months, and the increased level of nitrogen in the water can feed the growth of cyanobacteria in the lake which can lead to increased algal blooms.
In addition, the geese can damage grassy areas when foraging for food and their fecal matter can create a nuisance for recreational activities in both lawn and beach areas.
Resident Geese Overpopulation Contributors:
Fresh Water + Grass + Lack of Predators = Inviting Place to Live
Feeding of the geese by lake residents and visitors
Large open lawn areas that border the Lake at private residences, the State Park, and local beaches
Dock bubblers that create open water areas in the winter encourage geese to stay year-round
10-25 year lifespan and broods of 2-8 goslings per pair/per year
Solutions
Please read the CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) report, “Abatement of Problems Associated with Resident Canada Geese in Connecticut” for their recommended techniques, both non-lethal and lethal.
Lake Waramaug Task Force Research
Sean Hayden, LWTF Executive Director, spoke at the 7/12 meeting about the work that the Task Force has done to date in studying and addressing the growing geese population. Two years ago, the Task Force was asked to get involved with managing the issue of increasing goose droppings at the Warren Town Beach. This resulted in the planting of a 150-foot, 3 foot high vegetated buffer along the interface between the beach and the grassy area that the geese were drawn to. The vegetated buffer contained a mix of approx. 400 low shrubs and perennials that acted as a visual barrier that made the geese feel unsafe from predators. This natural lakeside buffer has proved to be 100% effective and the geese population on the beach has gone from approximately 75 geese to 0, and the lifeguards no longer need to remove the pounds of droppings that used to litter the lawn and shoreline.
Following this success, Sean has also reached out to the LW State Park which currently hosts a very large geese population on a very long shoreline in an effort to help them install/ reestablish a dense vegetated buffer along the lake front to discourage the geese. In his words, “In order for the lake E. coli concentrations to drop substantially, we are going to have to make life as uncomfortable as possible for the resident geese population.” Unfortunately at this time, the State Park does not have a permanent manager to help make this decision, but Sean will continue to reach out once that person has been hired.
Sean said that he would encourage all residents with lake front property to consider planting a vegetative buffer, an option that would not only discourage the geese but also help to absorb and act as a filter for storm water runoff into the lake as well as add a pleasing natural aesthetic. Buffer plantings will limit the geese’s habitat and as only a certain # of geese will fit into a specific area, the geese will move to another area. Eventually they may move to another lake.
Here is the Vegetative Buffer Zone Guide and the Lake Waramaug Task Force presentation “Making Life Uncomfortable for Resident Geese.” Sean is available to help consult with homeowners who are interested in planting vegetative buffers; you can contact him at seanhayden@lakewaramaug.org.
NOTE: the Towns of Washington, Warren, and Kent require approvals prior to planting within 100 feet of the Lake. Please visit their respective websites for more information.
Town of Warren Inland Wetlands Commission: Contact the Land Use Office on Mondays and Wednesdays between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM at (860) 868-7881, ext. 115
Additional Non-Lethal Solutions
Hazing – scaring (dogs, noise making devices, red lasers, etc.)
Visual deterrents – mylar tape, scarecrow, inflatable coyote, owls
Fencing (including fishing wire)
Chemical repellents on grass
TURN OFF BUBBLERS: Because winter dock bubblers help to promote a resident population, it is important to turn off bubblers and have docks removed in the winter. Here are two resources dock owners on Lake Waramaug have used for their dock removal/installation: WeDocks (Colin: 203-947-4243), Tucker and Son (203-775-9672). The Task Force does turn off its aeration system bubblers during the winter months.
Solution Testimonials by Lake residents:
Fencing - “3 years ago, I had about 40-60 geese establish residence on the lakefront of our property. They devoured the lawn and the droppings were awful. Since using this system, I have had no issues at all. It’s a simple concept that incorporates short fiberglass posts with high-tensile wire or fishing line (I’ve used both) strung between the posts. As the reviews on the website indicate, the concept can be easily replicated with fishing line and any post, but the fiberglass posts offered by this company come with clips that are easy to use and the reel mechanism is decent (though a simple fishing reel may be better). At my house, the geese simply walked up the bank of the lake through the buffer plantings and onto the lawn. I installed this system on the perimeter of the lawn at the border of the buffer plantings and it has worked very well. It seems the geese have difficulty seeing the fine wire or fishing line and after bumping into it a few times, they seem to give up and find an easier place to go. “
Swim Dock String System: “We had an issue with geese, seagulls, and ducks pooping on our swim dock. I found this video with directions how to install a DIY system with string, screws, and washers (and some duct tape) which looks really nice and is easily removable when you want to use the swim dock - just take the washers off the screws, and replace them when you’re done. While some ducks still like to perch on the corners on occasion, this really works! Our dock is now poop-free.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2fsLTndHko
Issues with Non-Lethal Solutions:
Geese move to a different spot on the lake
State Park needs to adopt deterrents
Geese take flight at various times throughout the year
Environmental issues - repellents
Even if whole lake adopted, may not work
Lethal Solutions
Hunting: Private Property Owners may hire licensed hunters to hunt geese from their land (under Federal, State, and Local CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Hunting Regulations: click here). Hunting Season starts in September. Up to 15 bagged geese are allowed per day in September. In October-December, during designated weeks only, limit 1-2 per day. Please check the CT DEEP website above for regulations and detailed information.
One resident with a serious geese issue on her property stated that she has contacted a local hunter, Kevin Conroy, of KC Beaver and Wildlife Removal (203-598-3184) and that he would be coming to remove geese in September to remove the geese when the daily bag limit for hunting is raised to 15 geese per hunter per day.
Additional Lethal Solutions:
Find nests (early Spring - April) - addle eggs, pin-prick, or oil them o Dept. of Agriculture has resources for hire. NOTE: Time-consuming – must do with 80% of nests to be effective over consecutive years a adult geese keep laying eggs year after year
Depredation permits: Request to DEEP Dept. of Agriculture & Wildlife must come from a town government, local organization or group. Net/Euthanize/Shoot. There is a charge for this service
Roundup: Official program/long application – must come from a legal entity (Town/State Park/etc.). Similar to depredation process – larger scale. Most of the meat is donated to Hunters for Hunger.
Issues with Lethal Solutions:
Personal feelings regarding hunting the geese
Communication, safety
Cost
May take time (multi-year approach)