Environmental Quality

GeesePeace at Lake Barcroft

GeesePeace Manual [PDF] | Goose Plan | Geese Seasons Chart - May 10, 2006 [PDF]

The problem with resident Canada Geese at Lake Barcroft and other suburban areas stems from the purposeful introduction of birds by state and federal wildlife officials in the 1930's to thwart their rapid decline. Unlike their cousins nesting in Canada and wintering in the southern U.S., introduced birds in the temperate climates of the eastern U.S. did not know how or need to migrate. Wildlife specialists clipped their wings rendering them unable to return to their place of birth for nesting. Subsequent generations with the same strong urge to nest where they were born, never needed to leave Virginia….and they never did. They became year round residents. And, as generation after generation made Lake Barcroft their year round home, their numbers began to grow.