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