Canada geese on grass with buildings in the background.

Park Board seeks public’s help to prevent Canada Geese nesting on private property

March 6 2025 –

Canada geese are an iconic part of Vancouver’s landscape and ecosystems. Many are ‘resident’ geese that do not migrate but stay in Vancouver all year. As their population grows, they increasingly impact public spaces by damaging local habitats and park infrastructure and leaving droppings on pathways, grass, and beaches. While geese eat and rest in parks, they often nest on private rooftops and balconies. Preventing nesting on private property can go a long way towards helping manage their numbers humanely.

Prevent nesting on your property

Canada geese prefer to nest on high, flat surfaces like balconies and rooftops, often leading to conflicts and stranded goslings. To help prevent nesting on your property, you can take several simple steps:

  • Alter flat surfaces: Geese are attracted to flat, open areas. Plant trees, shrubs, or tall grasses on rooftops or balconies to make these spaces less inviting.
  • Remove water sources: Geese are drawn to water features such as ponds and fountains. Remove or cover water sources to discourage geese from settling nearby.
  • Use deterrents: Reflective tape, motion-activated lights, and scarecrows can make areas less inviting to geese.
  • Act early: Take action now—during the winter and early spring months—to make your property unappealing to geese before the nesting season begins.

Humane population control

The Park Board uses a humane method called egg addling to manage the goose population. Over the past decade, thousands of eggs have been addled, preventing new generations of geese from joining the population.

The success of this program relies on the public’s support in spotting and reporting nests. Since geese often nest in difficult-to-reach places, such as rooftops and balconies, residents are encouraged to report any sightings of nesting geese.

How to report nests

If you notice a goose standing in the same spot daily, whether on the ground or a rooftop, there may be a nest nearby. Report nests by:

Do not feed the geese

Feeding geese encourages them to stay in one place, where they defecate in large volumes and gather in high-traffic areas. Feeding also increases the likelihood of geese laying multiple clutches of eggs, further expanding the population.

To protect public health and the environment, wildlife feeding is prohibited in Vancouver parks and beaches, with fines up to $500. If you see anyone feeding geese, please report it immediately by calling 311 or using the Van311 app.