A resident from Vancouver sought assistance upon discovering a family of geese nesting on his rooftop, a common occurrence during the spring according to the Wildlife Rescue Association of B.C. The organization mentioned they are frequently responding to similar calls, emphasizing the importance of involving rescuers early if the geese require assistance.
Cecil Hershler’s encounter began when a mother goose settled in a vegetable box on the roof of his four-story home a couple of weeks ago. Initially, Hershler didn’t pay much attention to it and continued with his outdoor chores. However, after being advised by guests that the goose might be nesting, he contacted WRABC, who instructed him to monitor the mother goose until the eggs hatched.
About a week later, Hershler was greeted by the loud sounds of eight goslings and their father, with the protective parents displaying aggressive behavior. Subsequently, Hershler’s wife reached out to rescuers again, leading to a plan to relocate the geese. Linda Bakker, the co-executive director of WRABC, explained the typical behavior of nesting goose families and the need for a suitable food and water source after hatching.
In this specific case, rescuers determined that the rooftop was too high for the goslings to descend safely, prompting them to take action. A volunteer rescuer carefully gathered the goslings into a specialized container and relocated them to Hershler’s driveway. Eventually, the mother and father goose flew down to reunite with the goslings, and the family was guided to a nearby pond at Jericho Beach Park.
For situations where geese nest in hazardous environments, only professionals with permits from the Canadian Wildlife Service can move them, as geese are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. Bakker mentioned the high volume of calls received by the association during this time of year, with multiple rescue operations occurring daily in the past weeks.
While not all nesting goose families require rescue, Bakker commended Hershler for involving rescuers promptly and not disturbing the birds. She advised individuals who encounter nesting geese to maintain a safe distance, refrain from removing nesting material, and wait until after summer to clean up the nest.