Conservation department bands Canada geese

Members of the Missouri Conservation Department and the public flocked to local lakes and ponds Thursday, where they herded and tagged Canada geese by the dozens in an attempt to be able to track the birds' population and health.

At Cape County Park North, Tommy Marshall, a wildlife biologist, explained some of the department's methodology for rounding up the geese so tracking bands could be placed around their legs.

A small remote control boat aided in encouraging the birds toward the lake's shore.

"A biologist in Columbia called us, and said, 'forget using a canoe. This is the ticket," Marshall said.

The boat wheeled on its side, splashing water toward the geese. Once they waddled on land, about 15 conservation department employees surrounded the geese and herded them into a netted enclosure. The geese were then removed one at a time, banded, and released. Early summer is an easier time to catch the geese, since they are molting, according to the conservation department. Less feathers make for less flight. Final numbers of Canada geese in Missouri are not yet in this year, but last year's study showed about 53,000 in the breeding population. The purpose of the banding roundup is also to monitor where the geese are traveling and through the study of data by biologists, a population management plan is formed. About 3,000 geese are banded in the state each year. In Cape Girardeau County, the roundup is in its third year. Elsewhere in the region, it's been performed for decades, according to the conservation department.

Some children of the conservation officials, along with those who happened upon the event while at Jackson's Rotary Lake, another of the day's stops, were invited to help tag and release the geese.

"It's such a neat opportunity for kids to see what we do and for them to ask the biologists anything they want," said Candice Davis, media specialist for the conservation department's Southeast and Ozark regions.

Aiden Sander, 6, of Gordonville, who was visiting the park with his grandparents Thursday, gathered feathers as the geese were returned to the lake.

"That happens when they fly away really fast," Sander said of the feathers floating through the air. Sander said he was no longer scared of the geese like he was "just a little," before he saw the roundup at the park and was able to get up close to the birds.

The conservation officials also banded birds at Capaha Park in Cape Girardeau, Bent Creek Golf Course in Jackson and several private ponds Thursday.

Geese in some public places, according to the conservation department, can become a problem because of the plants they consume and mess from droppings. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects Canada geese, but the department issues permits to help control them if they become a nuisance.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

Cape County Park North, Cape Girardeau, MO

City Park, Jackson, MO

Capaha Park, Cape Girardeau, MO

Bent Creek, Jackson, MO