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Management of Canada Geese on Windermere
History
The Canada Goose was first introduced to England in the 17th century to grace the
waterfowl collections of wealthy individuals. One of the first records mentions the
North American species in the Royal collection of Charles II in St. James’s Park,
London, where it was seen by Willughby and Ray prior to 1672.
The first escapee of Britain’s largest goose was recorded as a shot individual on the
Thames at Brentford, Middlesex in 1731.
Cumbrian Canada Geese record states, “In 1892 two pairs bred at Rydal Water,
between Grasmere and Ambleside in Westmorland.”
Other references state:
“The estimated total in north Lancashire and south Westmorland in 1967 – 9 was
140 and noted wintering in the Lune Valley south of Kirkby Lonsdale, and breed
between there and Sedburgh Greylag geese and Canada geese have increased in
numbers during recent years, the latter species to nuisance proportions.”
“Both Canada geese and greylag geese have occasionally been seen on
Windermere, but only in odd pairs….” (1967–1969).
“Greylag geese and Canada geese have increased in numbers during recent years,
the latter species to nuisance proportions”.
The goose’s success is partly due to the abandonment of the migration instinct. In
1964 it was discovered that the Canada goose has developed a special moult
migration pattern between central and northern England and northern Scotland.
Also, translocation of flightless birds during their annual moult to receptor sites by
those with shooting interests and to alleviate localized grazing damage contributed to
their spread and breeding success.
Facts about the Canada Goose - Branta canadensis

The goose lives for an average of 6 to 10 years in the wild, though the oldest bird
recorded was around 30 years.

It nests between late March and mid-May. Laying usually 5 or 6 eggs, the
incubation period is 28 – 29 days.

It is a gregarious species and large flocks can be seen on the lake outside
breeding season.

It has few enemies in the U.K other than man. Goslings may be taken by pike,
otters, mink and crows, gulls and mute swans.
Cumbrian and Windermere population
Killington Reservoir has provided Canada Geese with good breeding habitat since a
release of 60 birds in 1957 in Westmorland. This population quickly became the
main nucleus in Cumbria with 42 pairs raising 111 young in 1990 and has been
controlled for many years in an effort to stabilise it.
With regard to Windermere, the 1983 edition of Birds in Cumbria records no Canada
Geese on the lake despite being widespread across the south of the county in that
year. In 2007, the Windermere peak count in July of Canada Geese totalled 796.
The Cumbrian total for all inland waters in July was 1518. It can be seen from these
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figures that the Windermere population represents approximately half of the
Cumbrian population.
The highest count in 2011 was completed from a boat transect, as opposed to those
done from roads around the lake, was 1164. This included the resident population of
around 800 birds and regional migrants which move into the area in preparation for
their annual moult.
Population management
The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) have, to date, led the
Windermere Geese Management Group. This is a shared interest group made up of
organisations and landowners who are concerned about the environmental,
economic (agricultural and tourism) and health impacts of the large numbers of
geese, particularly Canada’s.
In 2007 the group embarked on a plan designed to control and reduce the population
of Canada Geese on Windermere. There were a series of measures including
temporary and permanent fencing to exclude large numbers of geese from grazing
areas and egg oiling to reduce the number of birds being born. Bird scarers, similar
to those used in arable fields and on airports, have also been trialled.
Fencing has been largely ineffectual due to the scale of lake shore that is available
to the geese; any fencing has concentrated grazing flocks on other accessible areas.
Egg oiling has certainly reduced significantly the number of young being born,
however it has not addressed the high numbers of adults in the area, nor young birds
born outside the area which migrate to the lake and environs. The bird scarer was
ineffective, and was of annoyance to local residents.
Fencing will continue to be used in order to protect particularly sensitive and
vulnerable remnant reed beds from predation by both geese and other bird species.
National, regional and local context
Natural England
The reasons for controlling the Canada Geese population (as detailed by Natural
England http://naturalengland.etraderstores.com/TIN009) are as follows;

preserving public health or safety (GL07);

preserving air safety (GL06);

conserving flora and fauna (GL08); and

preventing the spread of disease and preventing serious damage to livestock,
foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber, fisheries or inland
waters (GL05).
Canada geese are listed as a ‘pest’ species by Natural England.
Cumbria Bio Security Plan
The Cumbria Bio Security Plan covering control of Freshwater Invasive Non-Native
Species states:
‘Invasive non-native species (INNS) are those that have been transported outside of
their natural range and that can damage our environment, environmental services,
the economy, our health and the way we live. Impacts of INNS are so significant,
they are considered to be one of the greatest threats to biodiversity worldwide. They
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threaten the survival of rare native species and damage sensitive ecosystems and
habitats.’
The vision of the plan is to:
‘Develop a sustainable county-wide management framework that will detect, control
and/or eradicate, where present, specified Freshwater Invasive Non Native Species
throughout Cumbria through the coordination of data collection, education and local
action’
The plan identifies Canada Geese, along with other species such as Himalayan
Balsam, Japanese Knotweed, American Mink, Giant Hogweed and New Zealand
pygmy weed, as needing control within all catchments in Cumbria.
Windermere Strategy 2011
Section D Nature Conservation states:
Reed beds have significantly declined around the lake margins. Some have
disappeared, for example around Grassholme. Other areas show reed bed decline
which is of concern. Reed fringes are important in helping dissipate wave energy and
erosion, and are wildlife refuges. A Windermere Reflections project is also enabling
restoration of the shoreline, led by South Cumbria Rivers Trust. (D14.5)
Canada and Greylag geese have also increased in numbers in recent years. Geese
droppings damage agricultural land, contribute to phosphorus in the lake, and their
grazing may contribute to the damage and loss of reed beds. (D14.8)
The growing population of geese has a significant impact on the lake, its shoreline
and the visitor experience. Controlled management of geese has taken place for the
last two years to halt the growth in numbers. This work will continue, working with
organisations around the lake to coordinate management (D15.6)
Action D16.2
Reduce populations of geese within the catchment; working
group to review success of previous control programmes, prepare
communication plan and progress arising actions.
Lead Partners: LDNPA, National Trust, South Cumbria Rivers Trust.
Potential Partners; Landowners
The reasons for doing this on Windermere:

To reduce the increase of water borne E Coli bacteria levels. High levels will have
implications on amenity use of the lake. Regular sampling by the Environment
Agency show concerns, especially at the southern end of the lake.

To reduce the levels of diffuse pollution. Where numbers of geese graze and
roost, large volumes of droppings are deposited resulting in nutrients entering the
lake and subsequent algal growths utilizing that resource.

To reduce the grazing of emergent and loss of Phragmites reed. The loss of
localised reed beds on the shores of the lake and around some islands since the
1960’s has been recorded and is of concern. Eye witness accounts have
described the emergent reed growth being eaten by Canada Geese.

To reduce the economic loss of grass crops to farmers. Due to the few areas of
grassland adjoining the lake shore that provide a food source for the geese,
available grazing for farm stock is decimated and economic loss is sustained.
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
To reduce the dominance of nest site areas. Indigenous ducks are aggressively
challenged by Canada Geese and no longer nest on any of the lake’s islands.
It is envisaged that the control methods will continue in successive years and regular
on-going monitoring by the LDNPA and others will establish the efficacy of the
scheme.
Culling of Canada Geese
This work is proposed to start in the spring of 2012. It is intended to cull up to 200
birds at this time and to monitor the effect of this work with a view to carrying out
further culls over the next 5 years. Counts of birds will continue to evaluate the
impact on both numbers of birds and their movements within the area in order to
establish changes to local and regional migration patterns. This will inform any future
decisions regarding potential management work on other sites throughout Cumbria.
All work will be carried out on land, by trained and licenced operatives according to
the Natural England General Licence issued under the Wildlife and Countryside Act
1981.
The group understands the emotive nature of the proposals and the strong beliefs
held by some people. But the group remains committed to its original course of
action to carry out a managed cull of Canada Geese on Windermere for the stated
reasons.
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