A resident in Vancouver sought help upon discovering a goose family nesting on his rooftop, a situation not uncommon according to the Wildlife Rescue Association of B.C. (WRABC). The organization is currently responding to numerous reports concerning these large birds during the spring season, emphasizing the importance of early intervention if the geese require assistance.
Cecil Hershler’s encounter began when a mother goose settled in a vegetable box on the roof of his four-story home around two weeks ago. Initially unconcerned, Hershler continued with his outdoor tasks until guests alerted him to the potential nesting situation. After contacting WRABC, he was advised to monitor the mother goose and inform them once the eggs hatched.
Approximately a week later, the arrival of eight goslings and their father brought lively sounds of “clacking and honking” to Hershler’s rooftop. The father goose displayed protective behavior, hissing and posturing aggressively. Subsequently, Hershler’s wife contacted rescuers again, leading to a plan to relocate the geese.
According to Linda Bakker, WRABC’s co-executive director, a nesting goose family typically remains in the nest for about 24 hours post-hatching before seeking food and water sources. In this case, the rooftop height posed a safety concern for the goslings, prompting rescuers to take action.
Volunteers carefully moved the goslings into a specialized container and transferred them to Hershler’s driveway. The mother and father goose eventually joined their offspring before being guided by volunteers to a nearby pond at Jericho Beach Park for resettlement.
When encountering a nest in a hazardous location, only professionals with permits from the Canadian Wildlife Service can undertake relocation due to the protection status of geese under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. Bakker highlighted the association’s daily influx of goose-related calls during this period, with numerous rescue operations conducted over the past few weeks.
While not all nesting goose families necessitate rescue, Bakker commended Hershler for promptly involving rescuers and refraining from disturbing the birds. Individuals discovering a nesting goose are advised to maintain a safe distance, refrain from interfering with the nest, and wait until summer’s end to clean up any nesting materials.
