United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services

Summary: New York City Canada Goose Removals in 2012

Prepared by: Lee Humberg Wildlife Biologist USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services November 2012

JUSTIFICATION The Metropolitan New York City region has an estimated population of 20,000 25,000 resident Canada Geese. This population density is approximately five times the amount that most people would find socially acceptable (B. Swift, NYS DEC, Bureau of Wildlife, pers. comm.). The increasing abundance of these 8-10 pound flocking birds in urban and suburban landscapes has resulted in a significant aviation safety hazard for the flying public and military aircraft. Based on the current population size of resident Canada Geese, efforts to reduce the number of resident geese in metropolitan New York City (NYC) were implemented to protect aviation safety, water supplies from fecal contamination, public and private property from damage to turf and ornamental plantings, loss of land use due to excessive fecal droppings, and against unintended consequences of hazing programs (e.g. displacing geese to areas that historically havent had geese abundance issues). The New York City Wildlife Hazard Steering Committee decided to reduce aviation strike hazards by decreasing the local population of resident Canada Geese, to the extent possible, living within 7 miles of John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport to protect aviation and other resources. The Federal Aviation Administration and United States Air Force have established a zero-tolerance policy for Canada Geese on or near airports due to the high probability of aircraft damage and reduced public safety. The Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular 150/5200-33B provides guidance to airports for managing hazardous wildlife attractants near airports. An analysis of data from the FAA Wildlife Strike Database, estimated that 81% of 1,238 reported Canada Goose strikes nationwide from 1990 2009 were from resident non-migrating geese (R. Dolbeer, USDA WS, National Wildlife Research Center, unpublished data). OBJECTIVE To increase aviation safety by reducing the risk of Canada Goose strikes related to the abundance of resident Canada Geese populations at public parks, ball fields and other man-made and natural habitats within 7 miles of John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport. BENEFITS EXPECTED Decreasing the resident Canada Goose population would reduce the year-round risk these birds pose to aviation safety. While migrating Canada Geese temporarily increase the risk to aviation safety, the reduction of resident Canada Geese is a step in reducing the abundance of larger-bodied birds that cause the most damaging strikes to aircraft. Moreover, Canada Geese are the second most hazardous bird for aircraft to strike (FAA 2007).

Additional benefits of removing over-abundant Canada Geese include: reduced fecal droppings and required costs of clean up, decreased water contamination from fecal pollution, decreased excessive grazing on turf grass and plantings and decreased conflict with recreational users of park properties. Reducing Canada Goose populations near ecological restoration sites can minimize the risk and extent of damage to newly planted vegetation (e.g. salt marsh restoration). All Canada Geese captured and removed in 2012 were transported to commercial poultry processing facilities and were donated to food charities, bringing food to people in need. METHODS Site Evaluations In June 2012 Wildlife Services (WS) conducted site evaluations at 77 properties in NYC to determine which sites needed geese removed (Table 1). Of the 77 surveyed sites, 13 were selected for goose removal. WS specialists documented the number of Canada Geese and damage (fecal droppings, turf damage) present at each site. Risk to local aircraft movements was also documented. Additionally, efforts to reduce damage caused by Canada Geese (e.g., presence of no feeding wildlife signage) were documented. The decision to remove Canada Geese from a site was made following criteria developed by the NYC Wildlife Hazard Steering Committee. Wildlife Services used this criteria to make a recommendation to NYC about removal of Canada Geese from a city owned property. Properties within 5 miles of the three airports were considered eligible for resident Canada Goose damage abatement if there were 10 or more geese on the property, while properties within 5-7 miles of the three airports were considered eligible if there were 20 or more geese on the property. The list of sites eligible for goose removal were reviewed and confirmed with New York City government and other property owners. Due to absence of geese or inability to access the geese on the day of removal at 4 sites, geese were only removed from 9 sites (Table 2). Removal - Canada Geese were captured during the summer molt period (when the birds are unable to fly) utilizing standard goose round-up procedures. The summer molt period is approximately June 15 to July 15 each year. If geese were in the water, then biologists and specialists used kayaks or motor boats to guide the geese onto shore and into corrals. The captured geese were placed alive into commercial turkey crates and transported to a commercial poultry processing facility. Prior to transport any identification markers (e.g. neck collars or tarsal bands) were removed from the geese for reporting and historical location data analysis. RESULTS Removals were conducted between June 25 and June 28, 2012. WS removed 290 of the 354 Canada Geese observed at 9 New York City owned properties (Table 2).

Eight of the 290 captured geese were marked with either a tarsal band or neck collar, or both. Of the 8 marked geese, 7 (87.5%) were removed from a site where the geese were originally marked and 1 (12.5%) was removed at sites 1-7 miles from their original marking site. (Table 3). A total of 142 geese were removed from Randalls/Ward Island (Randalls Island), Spring Creek Park and Pennsylvania-Fountain Avenue Landfill Complex (Hendrix Creek and Yellow Bar Hassock) and Pelham Bay Park (Pelham Lagoon and Turtle Cove) where ecological restoration projects have been conducted over the past several years at a cost of $28.3 million (Table 4). All geese removed from NYC were transported to a commercial poultry processor. An estimated 258 pounds of goose meat from New York City were made available to and distributed by food charities.

SUMMARY/DISCUSSION The location and habitat components of removal sites in 2009-2011 provided a great amount of information as to the preferred molting sites of resident Canada Geese in New York City. Based on the information gathered during the 2009-2011 goose removals WS was able to identify and survey 77 sites in NYC in 2012. The number of survey sites varies each year depending on historical presence/absence of geese and activities at the site (e.g. construction or habitat changes). Many of the locations have been surveyed each year based on their potential to attract geese, However, each year new sites are identified or brought to our attention when geese are present. Prior to molting, Canada Geese will often move temporarily to locations where food and water are accessible without flying. The surveyed sites with no geese present during site evaluations were more than likely sites where geese feed and loaf at other times of the year, but were absent of geese at the time of site evaluations due to lack of suitable molting habitat. The knowledge gained from identifying preferred molting sites in NYC will allow for more efficient future Canada Goose management. A total of 290 resident Canada Geese were removed from NYC owned property in 2012, a decrease of 285 geese from 2011. The number of resident Canada Geese surveyed and captured in 2012 has decreased steadily since 2010. There was an increase in the number of geese surveyed and captured from 2009 to 2010, however this is explained by the expansion of a 5 mile radius in 2009 to a 7 mile radius in 2010. The overall reduced numbers of resident Canada Geese in NYC supports the effectiveness of multiple years of Canada Goose removals on population reduction. The reduction in local abundance of resident Canada Geese has reduced risk to aviation operations at local airports. Band and collar recovery data was analyzed to determine the distance geese had traveled from their banding location to the removal site. Of the 8 marked geese captured, 7 were originally marked at their removal site, 1 was marked less than 10 miles from its removal

site. This data supports the need for continued Canada Goose population management by identifying sites where Canada Geese historically molt and as well as identifying land cover types that are attractive to geese. This information is useful in management of lands to prevent Canada Goose attractants in the future.. Overabundant Canada Goose populations can significantly impact native habitats. Newly created or restored habitats are especially sensitive to grazing from waterfowl because the vegetation has not established a strong root foundation. The successful establishment of these habitats is critical to absorbing storm water runoff and reducing non-point source pollution, which is beneficial to human interests, other wildlife species and the overall health of the ecosystem. The benefits of reducing the overabundant resident Canada Goose population are numerous. Improving safety to the aviation industry and its customers is paramount, but the added value of reducing damage to New York Citys public properties and increasing environmental health should be acknowledged. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Continue Canada Goose removals at sites in New York City within 7 miles of local airports. This will further reduce the risk of a strike to aircraft by protecting against movement of Canada Geese throughout New York City. 2. Work with neighboring landowners to expand removal efforts, especially large property owners such as state and federal entities. 3. At times of the year outside the molting period or in locations where roundups are not conducive consider utilizing additional capture techniques to increase the number of sites where overabundant geese that pose an aviation hazard can be captured. 4. Continue to educate residents about the importance of not feeding wildlife and the benefits of having a manageable population of wildlife that will not damage property and resources but retain its aesthetic value to wildlife watchers and citizens. 5. Increase enforcement of existing no-feeding policies to deter attracting geese to the airports proximity.

Table 1. Properties in New York City surveyed for Canada Geese presence during June, 2012.
Property Name Borough Queens Date Surveyed

AlleyPondPark AllisonPondPark BaisleyPondPark BarrettoPointPark BayswaterPark BicentennialVeteransMemorialPark BownePark Brady'sPondPark

Brant Point Wildlife Sanctuary

BroadChannelPark BroadChannelWetlands BronxPark BrookvillePark CanarsiePark CaptainTillyMemorialPark ClearviewPark&GolfCourse CloveLakesPark CollegePointPark/OldFlushingAirport ConchBasin CrotonaPark DouglastonParkGolfCourse DubosPointWildlifeSanctuary
Dyckman Marina

EastRiverStatePark EibsPondPark FabarPool&Park FerryPointPark FloydBennettField FlushingMeadowsCoronaPark ForestParkandGolfCourse FortTottenPark FortWashingtonPark FourSparrowMarsh FrancisLewisPark FrankM.CharlesMemorialPark FreshCreekPark FreshkillsPark GantryPlazaStatePark

StatenIsland Queens Bronx Queens Bronx Queens StatenIsland Queens Queens Queens Bronx Queens Brooklyn Queens Queens StatenIsland Queens Queens Bronx Queens Queens Manhattan Brooklyn StatenIsland StatenIsland Bronx Brooklyn Queens Queens Queens Manhattan Brooklyn Queens Queens Brooklyn StatenIsland Queens

6/14/2012 6/18/2012 6/14/2012 6/15/2012 6/14/2012 6/20/2012 6/14/2012 6/18/2012 6/20/2012 6/14/2012 6/14/2012 6/20/2012 6/14/2012 6/20/2012 6/14/2012 6/14/2012 6/18/2012 6/14/2012 6/14/2012 6/15/2012 6/14/2012 6/20/2012 6/15/2012 6/18/2012 6/18/2012 6/18/2012 6/15/2012 6/18/2012 6/14/2012 6/14/2012 6/14/2012 6/20/2012 6/18/2012 6/14/2012 6/14/2012 6/18/2012 6/18/2012 6/14/2012

HalletsCove HermonA.MacNeilPark HighRockPark HookCreekPark IdlewildPark InwoodHillPark JamaicaBayPark JosephT.McGuirePark KissenaParkandGolfCourse LaTourettePark&GolfCourse LittleBayPark MarinePark MarinersMarshPark MorningsidePark NorthShoreEsplanade NortonBasin PelhamBayPark PennsylvaniaAve.andFountainAve.LandfillsComplex Powell'sCovePark ProspectPark PugsleyCreekPark QueensbridgePark RaineyPark Randalls/WardsIslandPark RiversidePark RobertoClementeStatePark RockawayCommunityPark RooseveltIsland RoyWilkinsRecreationCenter SailorsSnugHarbor ShermanCreek SilverLakePark SoundviewPark SpringCreekPark SpringfieldPark Udall'sCovePark VanCortlandtParkandGolfCourse WilliamT.DavisWildlifeRefuge WillowbrookPark

Queens Queens StatenIsland Queens Queens Manhattan Queens Brooklyn Queens StatenIsland Queens Brooklyn StatenIsland Manhattan StatenIsland Queens Bronx Brooklyn Queens Brooklyn Bronx Queens Queens Manhattan Manhattan Bronx Queens Manhattan Queens StatenIsland Manhattan StatenIsland Bronx Brooklyn Queens Queens Bronx StatenIsland StatenIsland

6/14/2012 6/14/2012 6/18/2012 6/14/2012 6/14/2012 6/15/2012 6/14/2012 6/18/2012 6/14/2012 6/18/2012 6/14/2012 6/18/2012 6/18/2012 6/15/2012 6/20/2012 6/14/2012 6/15/2012 6/14/2012 6/14/2012 6/18/2012 6/15/2012 6/20/2012 6/14/2012 6/19/2012 6/15/2012 6/15/2012 6/14/2012 6/20/2012 6/14/2012 6/20/2012 6/15/2012 6/18/2012 6/15/2012 6/14/2012 6/14/2012 6/14/2012 6/15/2012 6/20/2012 6/18/2012

Table 2. Number of Canada Geese observed and removed from New York City during June, 2012.
Date Site Number of CAGO Observed Number of CAGO Captured

6/25/2012 6/25/2012 6/26/2012 6/27/2012 6/27/2012 6/27/2012 6/28/2011 6/28/2012 6/28/2012 Totals

CollegePointPark/OldFlushingAirport ClearviewParkGolfCourse PelhamBayPark RiversidePark Randalls/WardsIsland RikersIsland CloveLakePark Pennsylvania&FountainAve.Landfills SpringCreekPark

88 6 32 38 22 48 22 43 55 354

37 6 32 36 17 47 22 40 53 290

Table 3. Distance between original banding site and final removal site of Canada Geese removed from New York City in June, 2012.
Distance Between Removal Site and Banding Site (miles) 0 (Same Location) 1-7 Total Number of Marked Canada Geese Removed 7 1 8

Table 4. Active ecological restoration sites in New York City at the same location or near Canada Goose removal sites in June, 2012.
Restoration Site Pelham Lagoon Turtle Cove Randalls Island Yellow Bar Hassock Hendrix Creek Total Habitat Restored Tidal Wetlands and Coastal Grasslands Tidal Wetlands and Coastal Grasslands Tidal Wetlands and Coastal Grasslands Tidal Wetlands Tidal Wetlands, Coastal Grasslands and Shrublands Acres 7 4 5 42 10 68 Estimated Cost (millions) $2.5 $0.9 $4.0 $19.6 $1.3 $28.3

LITERATURE CITED Federal Aviation Administration. 2007. Advisory Circular: Hazardous wildlife attractants on or near airports. AC No. 150/5200-33B