Tifft Nature Preserve Management Plan - Buffalo Museum of Science

Discontinue Feeding – Feeding can cause large numbers of geese to
congregate, teaches geese to be unafraid of people, and often provides an unhealthy
diet that increases their vulnerability to disease. Supplement of feeding in not an issue
since the preserve already does not allow feeding of wildlife and posts this rule on
entrance signs and trail maps.
Allow Hunting – Canada Geese are popular game birds and hunting can not only
reduce the population size, but discourage birds from congregating in heavily hunted
areas. However, the urban location and city regulations about discharging firearms
prevent this option from being considered at the preserve.
Modify Habitat – Geese are grazing birds that prefer short, green grass or other
herbaceous vegetation for feeding. Unlike city parks and golf courses, there are few
areas on the preserve that are mowed grass, such as the picnic area around the visitor
center and the trails, and stopping the mowing of these areas would greatly reduce
public use and enjoyment. The cattail marsh provides excellent nesting habitat for
geese, but also for many other bird species, so modification of the marsh should not be
considered.
Install Grid Wires – A series of monofilament wires can be installed to create a
grid over water bodies that prevents geese from landing and taking off. Installing this
wire grid would be laborious and expensive and would interfere with fishing on Lake
Kirsty. It would also prevent other waterfowl from using the ponds and aesthetically
would not enhance a nature preserve.
Install Fencing – Solidly constructed fencing at least 3 feet (1 meter) tall or dense
shrubs can be planted around water bodies to limit shoreline access by geese. To be
effective the fencing or plantings must surround the entire water body and be well
maintained. Such extensive fencing or planting to surround the ponds on the preserve
would be very expensive to install and maintain. Also, limiting shoreline access would
decrease the wildlife value of the ponds for other wildlife species on the preserve.
Visual Scaring Devices – Reflective Mylar tape, flagging or balloons tied along
strings or to poles can deter geese from using an area. However, extensive grid
networks of string would prevent people from accessing the area as well and could
easily be damaged by deer. This method works well for temporarily keeping geese out
of an area such as a native vegetation planting and can then be removed once the
planting is well established.
Noisemakers – Shell crackers, screamer sirens, bird-bangers, and whistle bombs
can be used to produce loud noises that startle geese and discourage them from
congregating in an area. However, geese can quickly, with one to two weeks, become
acclimated to these disturbances and periodic loud bangs or whaling sirens would
greatly diminish visitors’ experience of the preserve.
Tifft Nature Preserve Management Plan 39