pixel
Canada geese molting in park
By: Marci HowerAugust 14, 2025

Wings in Transition: Why Geese Are on the Move (and What You Can Do About It)

As summer reaches its peak, many of us are enjoying warm days, blooming landscapes, and time outdoors. But while we go about our routines, something fascinating—and potentially disruptive—is happening in the skies and on the ground: the geese are starting to fly again… or trying to.

This time of year marks a transitional phase in the life cycle of Canada geese. After undergoing their annual molt—where adult geese lose and regrow flight feathers—some geese are regaining their ability to fly, while others are still grounded. This creates a curious mix: flocks overhead and flocks on foot, often moving through places they wouldn’t normally be, including parking lots, office parks, busy roads, and residential neighborhoods.

Why Are Geese Grounded?

Each summer, adult geese go through a molting period where they temporarily lose the ability to fly. This is a natural part of their biology, allowing them to shed old, worn feathers and grow new ones. During this time, goslings are still growing and learning to navigate their environment, and the adult geese tend to stay grounded with them for safety and support.

While some geese are now regaining flight, others are still in recovery. This leads to an increase in ground-level activity as they seek food, water, and safe nesting or gathering spaces. Unfortunately, this also brings geese closer to human environments—causing safety issues and raising the need for better geese control strategies.

What This Means for People and Property

As geese walk between feeding and watering areas, they often cross roadways, golf courses, sidewalks, and business entrances. Their presence can become hazardous—both for drivers and for the geese themselves. Additionally, their droppings can create messes and health concerns, especially on commercial properties, schools, and sports fields.

This is where responsible geese control comes into play. Understanding that geese are protected wildlife and that this phase of their life cycle is temporary is key. Instead of reacting with frustration or aggression, we need to think proactively and compassionately.

How to Support Safe and Humane Geese Removal

If your property has been overtaken by geese during this transactional time, don’t worry—you’re not alone. There are humane geese removal solutions available that don’t harm the birds but do help guide them away from sensitive areas. Trained wildlife professionals can assess the situation and implement strategies like trained goose—herding dogs, habitat modification, and non-lethal deterrents to safely get rid of geese without disturbing the ecosystem.

Slowing down when driving near ponds or grassy areas, putting up awareness signage, and avoiding confrontational behavior toward the birds are small but impactful ways we can all help.

Final Thoughts

This seasonal shift is a reminder that we share our environments with wildlife, and being mindful during transactional times like molting season is part of responsible coexistence. By staying alert, showing patience, and choosing humane geese control methods, we can keep both people and geese safe.

If you’re dealing with excessive geese activity on your property, now is the perfect time to explore humane geese removal options. Not only can professionals help you get rid of geese effectively, but they can also create long-term strategies to prevent future disruptions—without harming the birds or the environment.

Ohio Geese Control

Ohio Geese Control uses many geese deterrent techniques, we will provide a customize solution based on your property, number of geese and season. We work with you to dramatically lower your goose population. We want you to enjoy the outdoors, again!

It is humane. It is safe. And it is effective. Call us at 877-914-3373 for a quote!

Call us to learn how we can deter the geese at your property today.

Behavior

How do you get rid of Canada geese?

Ohio Geese Control gets rid of Canada geese with geese deterrents. Successful and cost-effective management of Canada goose activities often depends on identifying the site characteristics most attractive to […]

Read More
Geese Management

How to Humanely Get Rid of Geese: Proven Techniques from Skilled Handlers

When Canada geese overstay their welcome in parks, business grounds, golf courses or residential areas, the results can be more than just a nuisance. There can be health hazards, […]

Read More
Canada Geese

The Feathers of Flightless Geese

Are you seeing stray geese feathers everywhere? Canada geese lose their flight feathers at the same time to rejuvenate them and get ready for fall migration. Unlike song birds […]

Read More
Behavior

Bird Flu in Canada Geese: Why Humane Geese Control Is So Important

Canada geese are familiar sights in parks, golf courses, and commercial properties—but their presence can sometimes bring more than just noise and droppings. These birds are susceptible to avian […]

Read More
Behavior

The Best Coyote Decoy… a Border Collie

We constantly get asked about those fake coyotes, and if the decoy actually works to get rid of geese. And our answer is yes and no. The purpose of the […]

Read More
Geese Management

FOX 8 Features Ohio Geese Control

We were featured on FOX 8 this week, and we are excited to share why this project matters. Ohio Geese Control has been hired by the Village of Chagrin […]

Read More
Border Collie

An Interview with Ohio Geese Control

Ohio Geese Control is excited to spread the word on how to manage geese and keep the public safe during nesting season. Thank you to Megan Hartnett, of WTOL […]

Read More
Canada Geese

Understanding Migratory vs Residential Canada Geese

Canada geese seem to be everywhere these days. If you have a manicured lawn and a water feature on your property then you have a good chance that you […]

Read More
News

Understanding Goose Aggression in March: What Property Owners Need to Know

As March arrives, Canada geese enter their nesting season, and their behavior can change dramatically. This period, which continues into May, marks the time when geese become fiercely protective […]

Read More
Geese Management

Do Swans Help Get Rid of Geese?

If a picture were to tell a thousand words, then the answer is obviously no. Many properties place one or two swans in their lake in hopes that it […]

Read More
Canada Geese

Will the “Bird Flu” Affect Me?

Bird Flu affecting Canada geese on your property Canada geese and wild ducks are known to carry the “bird flu”, also known as Avian influenza and the H5N1 virus. […]

Read More
Behavior

The Greatest Act of Kindness and the Simplest Goose Deterrent

Feeding geese will only attract more geese, and more droppings. But it is hard to argue when people enjoy feeding birds, especially the Canada goose. Many organizations like the Humane […]

Read More
Geese Management

Are Flightless Geese a Problem this Summer?

This summer you will notice a lot of geese feathers, and flightless geese on your property. This time of year is a critical period in the life cycle of […]

Read More
Drop us a line.

Contact Us