GUELPH – With the arrival of spring, Canada geese are returning to nest in familiar spots across Guelph and Wellington County — from grassy boulevards and park edges to unexpected places like parking lots and building entrances.
As the season unfolds, the Guelph Humane Society (GHS) is encouraging the community to take a moment to notice, and appreciate, the wild lives that quietly share our city.
“These birds follow the same instincts year after year — returning to the same places, building nests, and raising their young,” says Lisa Veit, GHS executive director. “It’s a remarkable reminder that nature is all around us, even in busy, urban spaces.”
Geese often choose nesting sites that offer wide, open views to help them spot potential predators.
While their choices can sometimes surprise us, these locations offer the safety and visibility they need to successfully raise their goslings.
During nesting season — typically lasting just a few weeks — geese are especially protective.
If approached too closely, they may hiss or spread their wings as a warning. These behaviours are simply their way of keeping their eggs and future goslings safe.
Tips for sharing space with geese this spring include:
– give them space. If you see a goose near a nest, give it a wide berth or take an alternate route;
– keep dogs on leash. Nesting geese are easily stressed by animals nearby;
– watch for families on the move. Geese often walk with their young to nearby water and may cross roads or trails slowly; and
– stay patient. Most nests are active for less than a month, after that the families move on.
Canada geese are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, which means it is illegal to disturb or move a nest.
While GHS is not permitted to relocate geese, residents are encouraged to contact the organization at 519-824-3091 if they see an animal that appears injured, orphaned, or in distress.
“Geese return to familiar places each spring, following patterns that are older than our cities,” says Veit.
“Their presence invites us to keep learning about the natural world — and to take responsibility for how we care for it, season after season.”
