THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, July 15, 2010
ENJOYTHEWATER CANADA GEESE—THE UGLY TRUTH
Get the most out of NH’s Lakes!
by Andrea LaMoreaux NH Lakes Education Director
Canada Geese are beau-
tiful birds. Unfortunately, they are known for having a few ugly habits. But, what is more ugly is that humans are unwittingly encouraging these hab- its. Although most people
find a few geese along the shoreline of a lake, pond, river or stream acceptable, problems quickly develop as the bird numbers in- crease and when the birds no longer migrate, becom- ing permanent residents. These problems include: overgrazing of grass and ornamental plants; ac- cumulation of droppings and feathers; attacks on humans by aggressive birds; and the fouling of waterbodies, swimming areas, docks, lawns, and recreational areas. Flocks of geese and other water- fowl also feed on a variety of crops. These birds require
fresh water for resting and nesting and tender young grass and other succulent vegetation for
Canada geese. Under this law, it is illegal to hunt, kill, sell, purchase, or possess migratory birds except as permitted by regulations enforced by the U.S. Department of Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service.
Canada geese and hu-
man conflicts are on the rise in the Granite State. Yes, it is no secret—Can-
food. The plentiful, well- manicured lawns of resi- dential neighborhoods, corporate business areas, parks, airports, and golf courses provide excellent habitat. Geese, espe- cially, can easily become accustomed to people and residential areas. Ad- ditionally, the feeding of waterfowl by humans contributes to conflicts with humans. Probably without even realizing it, most of us, particu-
GLENDALE Marine LTD. Sales • Service • Valet Rack Storage • Rentals
VALET RACK STORAGE
LOCATION • LOCATION • LOCATION Next to NH Marine Patrol & Gilford Town Docks
Launch Directly onto the Open Water of the Largest Lake in NH with No Channels or Bottlenecks to Worry About.
We Offer Summer, Day, Week, Month & Year-Round Valet Storage CHECK OUT OUR LOW RATES!
603-293-2007
17 Dock Road • Gilford, NH 03249
www.glendalemarineltd.com
larly those of us who lives along lakes, ponds, rivers and streams, are putting out a “Welcome” mat to these majestic birds. The Migratory Bird Trea-
ty Act of 1918 protects all native waterfowl in the United States, including migratory and resident
ada geese have become a problem in some areas of New Hampshire. On June 23, the federal govern- ment used lethal meth- ods to remove 21 geese from Todd Lake which is located in Bradford and Newbury. And, on July 7, the agency used lethal methods to remove geese from a recreational area in Lisbon. According to Carol Bannerman, public affairs specialists for the U.S. Department of Agri- culture Wildlife Services, not all the geese were
removed from either the Lake Todd or the Lisbon site—this was done inten- tionally in order to better achieve a balance between humans and the birds in the future. 2010 marks the second year that le- thal measures have been used to manage Canada geese in the state. The U.S. Department
of Agriculture Wildlife Services Program, which provides Federal lead- ership and expertise to resolve wildlife conflicts that threaten the Nation’s agricultural and natural resources, human health, safety and property, has determined that the Can- ada goose population in the Granite State exceeds what is possible to provide for a balanced relation- ship between humans and the geese. The approxi- mately 30,000 resident geese (those that stay here year long and do not mi- grate) that consider New See GEESE on 37
33
COME SEE US AT THE LAKESIDE LIVING EXPO AT GUNSTOCK ON JULY 16th, 17th & 18th!!
ICE DAMAGE? NEED DOCK or SHORELINE WORK?
Visit Our Stores To See All The Boatlifts & Docks
• Plan ahead - permits take time! • Make an appointment today for a site visit! • Schedule projects early!
www.docksource.com www.nhpermits.com
Visit our store at 29 Gilford East Drive, Gilford, NH Winter Hours (or call for appointment)
Open Daily From 9:00-5:00, Saturday 9:00-12:00, Closed Sunday
29 Gilford East Drive, Gilford NH 603-293-4000
552 Route 11, Sunapee, NH 603-763-6440
Open Daily From 8:00-8:00, Saturday 8:00-12:00 (starting 4/18) Closed Sunday Crank-Up Dock
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56