Concerns over goose population in Maidenhead park

Concerns have been raised over the impact on wildlife and other issues caused by the number of Canada geese in Guards Club Park.

The Canada goose is a non-native species which is very successful – there has been a rapid increase in its population over the past 70 years.

But a relatively small number of geese may cause big problems in a small site – which is why Ann Darracott of Maidenhead Civic Society is calling for action in Guards Club Park.

The park was set up as part of a Silver Jubilee project by the society, so it takes a special interest in its condition.

The goose situation in the small open space is getting out of hand, said Ann.

Canada geese are attracted to places with islands like this, while they are deterred by loud noises – so the relative peace and seclusion of the park may be attractive to them.

“I think the situation has been complicated by Battlemead pond becoming overgrown,” Ann said.

“The Canada geese used to occupy that area quite a lot – but now it hasn't been mowed for quite some time, so they’re going to grassland that’s a bit shorter.”

The geese favour habitats with short vegetation near water bodies. They can overgraze, reducing plant diversity.

Droppings in lakes add nutrients to the water which can eventually negatively affect the water ecosystem.

“There is already pressure on the native wildfowl [in the park],” Ann added.

"I've lived near Guards Club Park since 1977, and in the early days there was a variety of different wildfowl, but you very rarely see them now.”

All wild birds are protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it an offence to kill, injure, damage or remove their nests without a licence.

The RSPCA says it would ‘always prefer non-lethal solutions’ for controlling Canada geese.

This includes using noisemakers or scarers, habitat management like barrier planning or fencing around islands.

The RSPCA also recommends that visitors to parks not feed Canada geese too much, as it may encourage too many to the area, increase the density of droppings on paths and ‘could lead to the birds being seen as a problem’.

Brian Clews of Wild Maidenhead agrees that Battlemead may be the origin of this problem, since a path was put in, bringing dogs closer to geese and disrupting them.

However, he thinks it likely that without Canada geese, another kind of goose would fill the niche. He also noted that culls are often not so effective because of the rapid breeding rate.

“I think we might just have to learn to live them – and keep dogs on leads so they’re not dispersed,” he said.

In the immediate term, Ann is concerned by the amount of droppings on the paths in Guards Club Park.

“I honestly think that at the moment, it is almost unusable by residents,” Ann said. “Certainly, none of my neighbours will take their children down there.”

She has contacted the council, hoping for the paths to be cleaned.

The Royal Borough was approached for comment.