GEESE ON THE ROOF

 

Canada geese are known to nest on flat rooftops, especially in urban or suburban areas. They choose these high, open spaces to protect their eggs from ground predators and to gain a clear view of their surroundings. They are often attracted to "green roofs," planters, and quiet, elevated spaces.

It is a first for us, and we have daily been fascinated by this mother goose who chose the roof of our llama/sheep fold. We were all concerned as the days went by. How could those goslings get off that roof.  There are some birds, such as the marbled murrelets who actually push their babies out of trees, when they know they are old enough to fly. But for geese it is a problem as the goslings cannot fly down, creating a challenge for them to reach food and water. At times parents will drop the goslings down to the ground, where they can survive the fall by landing on soft surfaces or because of their light weight. A rather hit and miss prospect.

Once the female starts sitting on the eggs, they will hatch in about 25 days. Baby geese can walk within hours of hatching, and the parents will try to lead their new family away from the nest area.

 Because the goslings cannot fly until they are three months old, they may be unable to jump safely from the roof to follow their parents. Generally newly hatched goslings can fall about 2 storeys without hurting themselves, because they are so small and fluffy.

If the nest is more than two storeys high, or there is a barrier more than 4 inches tall preventing the goslings from jumping off, it is rcommended to call the local wildlife rehabilation center. 

Then today at dinner, we watched two raptors, either juvie bald eagles and or a pair of red wings (they were going too fast to identify) fly by the windows.  Hours later at Vespers I spied a raptor out of the corner of my eye swooping very near if not from that goose rooftop. Looking closer I noted movement and could see yellow goslings. 

What to do? Where is that camera when you need it? One of the nuns bravely climbed up and got the babes into the pasture near the pond, with the hope they could hide in the grass and maybe soon get to the pond and the rushes which would protect them. 

 Time will tell, but we hope to see some of these babes survive- as much as we dislike the adults at times.  Perhaps my greatest complaint -not the poopy mess they make- is that they drive away smaller ducks, such as the colorful wood duck, which no longer come to make its nest near the pond’s edge.