‘Caution: aggressive geese.’ So warn signs on Stan State’s usually serene campus
It’s nesting season for the geese that call Stanislaus State University home, prompting warnings to students and other humans.
The Turlock campus has posted signs that warn, “Caution: aggressive geese,” near an especially testy mom who nested atop the Health Center.
It has happened over at least the last 20 springs, said Tim Overgaauw, senior director of facilities operations and construction, during a Tuesday afternoon visit from The Modesto Bee.
The geese have flapped their wings and hissed at people, but no attacks have been reported, he said.
They are Canada geese, which seem to have a thing for Turlock sites with lakes and grass. They have bothered folks in Donnelly Park for years and also at the Turlock Golf & Country Club.
“When they have hatchlings in the nest, they get a little more protective about the area, their turf,” Overgaauw said.
The geese are year-round residents and leave droppings that require frequent cleanup, he added.
The geese are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, as well as state law. Wildlife agencies grant permits to kill only in rare cases.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has advice for people contending with geese on their property:
- Do not provide food. Geese will look for natural sources elsewhere that are better for them.
- Install barriers such as fences or hedgerows. Waterfowl prefer to land on water and walk onto adjacent grassy areas to feed and rest.
- Deter geese with devices such as large helium balloons, strobe lights, scarecrows with movable parts, and Mylar flags.
This story was originally published April 26, 2022 at 5:11 PM.
