I've had a brief e-mail from Mert Leonard, but we still aren't certain the geese are the problem at the beach.  Mert may know more after his next test is done on Friday.  He'll let me know the results of that - hopefully the situation may have lessened by then.  That said, the problem of the geese on lawns and docks continues. 

I've spoken with Fred Pogmore at Wildlife Services, and he told me the geese are flightless for another week or two, so they won't be leaving soon.  He said it is legal to "harass" them by chasing them, using pyrotechnics to frighten them, or whatever else works to keep them off your property.  Once their feathers are all back, they may leave if the harassment works.  He said you need to vary whatever you do as they quickly adapt to noise or being chased, and will simply return time after time.

Tom and Camilla have been chasing them off their property but Tom says they usually are back in the early morning hours.  It's not a good idea to shoot firecrackers off or yell and bang pots and pans when you have close neighbors, but Tom's getting desperate.  He's thinking he'd rather have the neighbors mad at him than have the geese poop on his lawn.

Pogmore said the geese are likely to come back in the spring - and will nest and raise more young and so the flock will grow quickly each year.  Other lakes and ponds have had similar problems - as have golf courses.  The geese love the well-kept grass and little ponds on the fairways - it's a perfect summer resort atmosphere (a lot like Joe's Pond lawns and lovely water) and they quickly get accustomed to little white balls flying overhead and perhaps an occasional club thrown in their direction.

There are some things you can do legally to keep them off your property:  teach your dog to chase them; set up swan decoys (they are afraid of swans); shoot firecrackers at them; get some of those special lights they hate; or sprinkle your lawns with non-toxic Bird-Be-Gone repellant that gives them a tummy ache (but has to be renewed frequently as rain will wash it away).  Whatever you do, Pogmore says you'll need to "mix it up" because they quickly adapt to whatever harassment you're using and will return.

There are more permanent solutions, but they cannot be done until next spring or summer.  In early spring, after getting the proper permits, their nests and eggs can be destroyed, but land owners must be agreeable and part of the process; or, in the summer, while they are still flightless, we can ask for a "goose roundup" and Wildlife Services will send a group of people to literally round up the geese and take them away to another location.

Fred Pogmore may come to our meeting on Saturday to answer questions.  He will let us know if he can make it.  In the meantime, fire away with whatever you've got - except a gun - it's illegal to shoot the culprits. 

On a very sad note, we're so sorry to report the passing on Friday of Priscilla (Cutting) Mayo, sister of Barb Thurston (Point Comfort Rd.).  She was 71.  Priscilla's family, Col. William and Dorothy Cutting, had a cottage near Point Comfort on Route 2 for many years.  Her full obituary is in today's Caledonian Record.  Our condolences to Priscilla's husband, Mike, and to their entire family.  Priscilla was a lively and happy lady, and she will be very much missed.  Messages may be directed to Barb Thurston at 12 Shetland Cir., St. Johnsbury VT 05819.


We also learned yesterday of the death of Nelson Knight "Bud" Abbott of Cabot, age 63, as a result of an auto accident.  The Abbots are a well respected and long-time Cabot family, and Bud will be missed.  Our condolences to his wife and  family.