Goose Management Program

Oakville is severely impacted by a large population of Canada geese. Feeding waterfowl contravenes the town’s By-law 1999-159 (pdf, 484 kB). If left unchecked, the goose population can double in size every three years.

Town staff are employing an overall goose management program to control the population of resident geese. Egg oiling, turf sweeping and habitat modification are other programs designed to dea with the overpopulation of Canada geese along Oakville's waterfront.

Operating under a permit from the Canadian Wildlife Service, town crews round up and relocate approximately 1,000 geese every June to the Aylmer Wildlife Santuary.

Egg oiling program

The egg oiling program, undertaken by parks staff for more than 10 years, concentrates on nests located along the Lake Ontario shoreline, in Oakville and Bronte harbours, and along the Sixteen Mile, Fourteen Mile and Twelve Mile creeks.

Contact the town in early March at 905-845-6601, ext. 3076 if you require goose egg oiling. Download the request form (pdf, 10.4 kB) to allow town staff access to your property to oil eggs.

Goose nest facts

The onset of nesting activity usually begins in early April. Typically, Canada geese return to their natal site to breed (probably the site at which they learned to fly) and a pair will likely nest in the same spot every year. A strong base and good visibility appear to be nest site requirements, as well as a safe place to raise broods (usually open water) and ample nearby forage.

Canada geese usually build their nests on the ground in low vegetation near open water. Preferred nesting sites include small islands in ponds and along the banks of bodies of water. Beaver houses or the nests of other birds such as ospreys, hawks, owls and herons are also sometimes used. Nests are constructed of grass, twigs, bark, leaves and moss, with diamters ranging from 37 to 110 cm (15 to 44 inches). Males are very protective of their nests. A male that hisses and beats his wings when you approach may be protecting a nest.

Geese are attracted to mown lawns that stretch down to the water. To deter them allow native vegetation, including longer grasses, to grow at the water’s edge.