A resident in Vancouver sought assistance upon discovering a family of geese nesting on his rooftop, a situation not uncommon, as indicated by a rescue organization. The Wildlife Rescue Association of B.C. (WRABC) mentioned that they are receiving frequent calls about the presence of these large birds during the spring season. It is crucial to involve rescuers early if the geese may require assistance.
In the case of Cecil Hershler, his encounter began when a mother goose made a home in a vegetable box on his four-story Vancouver residence approximately two weeks ago. Initially, Hershler paid little attention to the goose while tending to his outdoor area. However, upon being informed by visitors that the goose might be nesting, he contacted WRABC.
Following WRABC’s advice, Hershler monitored the mother goose until the eggs hatched. About a week later, he was greeted by the sounds of eight goslings and their protective father. Subsequently, Hershler’s wife reached out to rescuers again to relocate the geese.
Linda Bakker, co-executive director of WRABC, explained that a nesting goose family typically remains in the nest for about 24 hours post-hatching before moving to seek food and water sources. In this instance, due to the rooftop’s height, rescuers deemed it unsafe for the goslings to descend, prompting their intervention.
A volunteer rescuer carefully transported the goslings into a special container and then relocated them to Hershler’s driveway. Eventually, the parent geese joined the goslings, and the entire family was guided to a nearby pond at Jericho Beach Park for release.
If encountering a nest in a hazardous location, only a professional with a permit from the Canadian Wildlife Service can move the geese, given their protection under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. Bakker noted the high volume of calls pertaining to geese during this period, with numerous rescue scenarios occurring daily over the past weeks.
While not all nesting goose families necessitate rescue, Bakker commended Hershler for involving rescuers promptly and respecting the birds’ space. She advised individuals to maintain a safe distance if they discover a nesting goose and emphasized the protection of nesting material until after the summer season.