Bird disturbances prompt additional patrols

Nevada Daily Mail

Nevada law enforcement and animal control are considering increasing patrols near Canada geese roosting spots. That consideration stems from complaints about groups disturbing geese in Radio Springs Park.

A Nevada resident, who preferred to be unnamed out of fear of harassment, contacted the Daily Mail about pestering of the geese. She said she witnessed groups of teenagers throwing items at nesting geese and attempting to handle eggs. The woman said she saw individuals taunting the geese on two separate occasions within the last week.

Nevada Police Sgt. Steve Bastow said the police department has received at least one call within the last week about disturbance of geese at Radio Springs Park.

He said the department does have an ordinance that protects birds and squirrels, but has rarely had to use it.

Animal Control Officer Ben Douglas echoed that statement; he said harassment of wildlife in city parks has not been much of an issue in the past. But,because Canada geese are federally protected migratory birds, other agencies could look into harassment problems if necessary.

"It's not something we normally cite. But it could lead to some conservation agents getting involved. Their fines are obviously a lot more," he said.

Douglas said the municipal fine is likely around $50, but could not recall, since the charge has not recently been cited. Federal fines can reach into the thousands and carry other penalties, such as community service.

Douglas said geese in the Nevada area are particulzarly fond of Radio Springs Park and Walton Park, but large flock sizes in the past have helped prevent pestering of the birds.

"We don't normally have problems with that [harassment]. Normally, there are 100 geese down there. People look at 100 geese and think 'that's out of my league,'" he said.

Douglas said geese are generally protective of their nests, and can attack if provoked.

Doug Ryan, a resource technician at Four Rivers Conservation Area, said disruptions to goose nests can cause failed hatchings of eggs.

"When geese are laying on eggs, they flip them two to three times per day. If people move the birds off that nest, they won't be able to turn them," Ryan said. "The eggs won't incubate properly."

Canada geese will incubate eggs for around 28 days, with anywhere from four to 10 eggs in nest.

Ryan said that if the eggs are abandoned or destroyed, female geese will attempt to raise a new flock, if time remains in the hatching season.

Bastow and Douglas said their departments would try to prevent any purposeful destruction of nests or eggs.

"If necessary, we'll step up enforcement," Bastow said. "We're not going to tolerate people picking on them."