1 - What are the typical behavior patterns of geese that can lead to potential accidents with cars?

Canadian Geese live in mild climates with abundant wetland and grassland habitats, and few natural predators. Geese are adaptable to human environments, and many geese live in suburban areas where they are not only protected from predators, but also are safe from hunting.

In the early spring, Geese partner up and search for an area to nest. Once the goslings hatch, the family will travel to find the nearest body of water. This is when risk of traffic accidents are highest. Geese families, known as broods, may form larger flocks with other broods. I will answer this question in more detail in questions #5 and #6

2 - How do geese react to approaching vehicles, and what are some common signs of aggression or distress to watch out for?

Geese are like humans in that they are all individuals, and each will react differently to traffic based on their learned experience. Some geese may be more scared of approaching vehicles and back away while others, who may be used to traffic stopping for them, may carry on with little to no fear.

Geese who are acting aggressively are often trying to protect their family. Geese are most aggressive at the beginning of the nesting season, when they’re establishing territory. Once they get used to all the action surrounding them, they tend to settle down.

3- Are there specific locations or environments where car-goose accidents are more likely to occur?

Accidents are more likely to occur in newly developed urban areas where the speed limit is high and there are many roads in the way of geese getting to bodies of water.

4- What are some effective strategies or techniques for preventing car-goose accidents, especially in areas with high goose populations?

Number one would be when driving in an area that is home to geese during the spring/summer months, be mindful and ready to slow down at any time.

Contrary to what our natural instincts might tell us, when you stop for the geese, they get used to that behaviour, making it more likely they will venture out on busier roads and increasing their risk of being hit. Try to keep moving.

The best way to avoid a collision is by slowing down and giving yourself enough time to react, moving to the shoulder of the road, and not swerving or suddenly braking. Of course, if it is impossible to do this without getting into an accident, the best thing to do is slowly come to a complete stop and let the geese cross.

5- Can you provide any insights into the nesting behavior of geese and how it might impact their movement near roadways?

It may seem odd for a goose to nest in a parking lot, however geese choose these locations for good reason. Geese like open, flat spaces where they can see predators coming from far away, so parking lots, especially in new developments with few trees, are ideal for nesting. It is important to be mindful of this in parking lots for this reason.

Goslings hatch about 25 days after their mother begins nesting. Goslings can’t fly until they are 2-3 months old, but they can walk within hours of hatching, which is when their parents lead them away from the nest to the closest water source. The family, known as a brood, will walk as far as 3-4 km from the nest site to get to water. This means broods are often walking across busy parking lots and high traffic highways.

6- Are there any specific times of the year or day when geese are more likely to be active near roads, and if so, how can drivers adjust their behavior to minimize the risk?

Geese are more likely to be active near/on roads when goslings are young and flightless. In Winnipeg, this is usually from May to the end of July. At this time of year, drivers should be extra mindful of geese.

If you see a brood on a busy road, it may seem like a good idea to try to catch the family and move them to a safe spot, but this risks scaring off the parents and scattering the babies. If the family panics and scatters, the rescue and reunion can become difficult.

Crossing busy roads and co-existing with humans in urban areas has become the reality for a lot of wildlife, making it an important skill for goslings to learn from their parents. The best thing humans can do is be mindful and respectful of this when driving or on foot. If Geese are stuck in the middle of a busy road, contact local police to help stop traffic. Once traffic is stopped, slowly and calmly herd the babies and parents to safety. Only try to capture the family if necessary for their safety.

7- Are there any known deterrents or repellents that can be used to discourage geese from congregating near roads or crossing them?

If a road is in a brood’s path to a body of water, it can be hard to discourage geese from crossing them since water is an important part of their survival however, planting shrubs, tall grasses, or trees can break up the sightlines, making parking lots less attractive as nesting spaces.

Ideally, street signs should be put up in areas with large geese populations to encourage mindful driving and slowing down to keep everyone safe. While I am not an engineer, so am not sure whether or not this would be possible, it would be wonderful if animal bridges or ecoducts could be built over busy highways to help humans, geese, and other wildlife co-exist within our city. Unfortunately, I don’t believe wildlife safety goes into a lot of city planning.

In regard to nesting, the city had started using noise deterrents for geese on the legislative grounds as a way to discourage nesting.

8- Are there any ongoing research initiatives or technological advancements that aim to address the issue of car-goose accidents?

Not that I could find.

9- In case of an accident with wildlife like geese, how should a driver proceed?

Contacting a wildlife rehabilitation expert, like Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Center or Wildlife Haven is the best thing someone can do. These organizations will have the best advice on how to proceed in the specific situation.

10- Do you have any other considerations on keeping drivers safe while protecting wildlife?

A few things:

-Concerned Winnipeggers can talk to their city councillor, community group, or residents’ association about putting up nesting and traffic signs as a reminder to be mindful in areas where the goose population is high.

-Those that travel through areas with a high goose population may want to keep a box or plastic tote in your car, to help carry an injured goose off the road.

-Don’t move nests containing eggs. Moving them even a few feet risks orphaning the unhatched young, as the mother goose won’t recognize her relocated nest. It against the law to interfere with a nest without a permit, as Canada geese are federally protected.

-Most importantly – just like the “Drive Kind, Geese on Mind” Campaign urges people to do, slow down and drive mindfully!