Canadian Geese are a nuisance across much of North America, where flocks of several hundred at a time may take up residence in public space and create major waste problems. While the Canada Goose is a welcome native species in North America, they have been naturalizing in parts of Europe where they are not native. In the United States where they have been protected for decades, their numbers have boomed enormously, and can cause problems for businesses that rely on large areas of open turf as part of their business model. From golf courses, to retirement communities, Canada Geese can cause major problems if their numbers are not modified, and controlled, and the pound of poop per day that they produce can be a public health hazard.
One method of natural goose control aside from goose fencing, and population control, is to use larger birds to limit the number of mated pairs hanging around a property and creating more geese. Mute Swans are European, and Asian native birds that can be used to effectively control the nesting population of Canadian Geese. They are large, ornamental, and aggressive with other bird species once they have reached sexual maturity at 5-7 years of age. When they reach sexual maturity, if they are in a mated pair, care must be given around them once the mating season arrives since their aggression is not only limited to other animals. If you use a mated Mute Swan pair to control the population of nesting geese it is wise to let the human population know that the birds are unpredictable in their territory in early spring, once they begin to nest, and that they may chase after humans.
Mute Swans have more vocalizations than you might think. Aside from their snorts, and grunts, and hisses of displeasure, they have a squeal that they let out if they are upset about something, or startled. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does it’s really more of a “Squonk” than a squeal, and adequately covers their displeasure.
If you find a styrofoam-like bundle that looks like this on one of your plants you should count yourself lucky! This little garden find is the hardened egg case of a female Mantid.
Hallmarks of a Mantid Egg Case:
Firm spongy texture
Clearly visible layers
What looks like a seam running down the side of the case
A clearly round, or completely oval shape with tapered edges
The case is found attached to the stem of a flower, shrub or tree
The short answer is that it could be harmful if trace amounts of the Theobromine oil in the shells are retained after their processing, and your pet would have to eat a large amount of the shells. Theobromine oil, which is poisonous to pets in large doses, is present in large amounts in the cocoa bean itself, the cocoa shells have much smaller amounts of the oil in their raw state.
Cocoa shells like any other live tree bark, or shredded wood must go through a composting process that starts the decomposition process, and makes the product safe for use around plants. In the case of the cocoa shells, the process to make them market ready involves heating them up to extreme temperatures to dehydrate them and remove any residual oils.
The Federal Migratory Bird Act protecting Canada Geese has been adapted in recent years though to allow for careful population control in residential and agricultural areas. The new protective orders allow for careful and documented control of nests and eggs, giving land owners one more option in responsible wildlife oversight.
While Canadian Geese are still protected by the “Migratory Bird Act,” in recent years their population has grown by 300% in some areas of the United States , and caused issues in communities, and airport parks where the bird population poses a threat to human health and safety. In 2006 a new protocol to handle goose populations under the oversight of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service came about in the form of the “Resident Canada Goose Nest and Depredation Order.” This order is completely separate from the Airport Depredation Order and Airport Control Orders, which is designed to keep our airports and flights safe from the threat of goose related damage. The Resident Canada Goose Nest and Depredation Order is designed for landowners, businesses, and local municipalities that have issues with Canadian Geese, and who commit to responsible control methods which can now include egg addling, puncturing, and shaking.
I oversee a few walking trails, and reforestation areas that are broadly laced with functioning bluebird boxes. Every year the number of houses that need replacing can vary, but I inevitably need to purchase boxes in bulk for to have a few on hand for quick replacement every Spring. Since pre-fabricated Bluebird houses can run you anywhere from $25 all the way up to $70 a piece, finding a good deal is essential!
This year Dr. Foster and Smith have a bulk Bluebird box package for sale from their “Wild Bird Catalogue” that will run you $109 for 6 Bluebird boxes, costing you only about 18 dollars per box. This is the best deal I’ve found yet, and one that is perfect for those of you in property management that read this blog! It’s also a great buy for homeowners and park volunteers who are trying to add bird housing to urban, and heavily trafficked areas.
Looking for a way to prevent House Sparrows from eating out of your feeders? The Sparrow Free Magic Halo is a product I’ve been able to view up close for several months, thanks to a friend and avid birder. He amazed me with this simple Sparrow-proof fix for his woodside garden! Don’t let the picture fool you, this little wire gadget works on the real deal even confusing Starlings, while allowing songbirds and woodpeckers to eat in peace.
How It Works:
The metal hoop attaches to, or can be hung over a wide variety of feeders. The strings of fishing line attached to the hoop are allowed to dangle free over and around the feeder. Sparrows and Starlings are strangely unnerved by the motion and appearance of the fishing line, and abandon the feeders leaving them alone permanently. It’s that simple, and yes, it really works!
Sparrow problems can be solved quickly with this 100% effective deterrent system from the pest control experts at “Bird-X.” I’ve seen it work myself, and can attest to it’s usefulness. Try it out around your favorite feeders to bring the birds you want into closer view
Hardboiled eggs are making their seasonal comeback as snacks, decorations, and salad fixins at the same time that their crushed shells can benefit the local songbird population the most.
I view my pets as important members of my family, and I’m always on the lookout for new ways to keep them healthy and happy without breaking the bank. As expensive as veterinary bills can be, I recently decided that in non-emergency cases I would use natural remedies on my pets to lower the cost of maintaining them, while providing them with natural care that won’t have the adverse side-effects that common drugs can have.
My male cat recently supplied me with a reason to do some research into natural remedies for bladder and urinary tract infections, and in the process I discovered Native Remedies”UTI-Free” . The product is created by Homeopaths, and Pharmacists to treat the symptoms of, and prevent occurrences in cats and dogs of urinary tract infections. While the product is registered with the FDA, and uses plant extracts (Berberis vulgaris, Cantharis, Staphysagris, Sucrose) that have been used by herbalist for thousands of years to treat various ailments, the product does not promise to fully cure a serious infection. I propose that the formality is mostly legal in nature, because I used on tiny bottle to treat a serious urinary problem from Thanksgiving day to New Years, and found the change in his health to be a relief to both myself, and to the cat. (more…)
is a product I’ve been able to view up close for several months, thanks to a friend and avid birder. He amazed me with this simple Sparrow-proof fix for his woodside garden! Don’t let the picture fool you, this little wire gadget works on the real deal even confusing Starlings, while allowing songbirds and woodpeckers to eat in peace.
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