Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
In the near-constant effort to police the geese and the mess they leave behind at Falls Township Community Park, the Board of Supervisors have passed another year-long management plan.
Township officials began managing its excessive geese issue several years ago and have since drastically reduced the number of geese at the park, according to Falls Township Parks and Recreation Director Brian Andrews.
Advertisements
S&S Wildlife Control Services President Rick Shadel who has spearheaded the geese management system for the park said the township’s efforts have so far decreased the geese population by at least half.
“There will always be a need for some level of management at the lake,” said Shadel. “We’re not getting night pressure from the birds.”
Shadel said his costs have come down in recent years because ongoing efforts have been effective in keeping geese away.
Advertisements
In 2018, Falls spent $14,868 on geese management, as compared to $27,000 spent the first year.
Similar to previous years geese management plans, S&S will undertake a 10-month hazing effort, which involves aggressive action on foot, noise, lasers, and lights, which will be carried out in conjunction with a 10-week service involving border collies being used to train geese to stay off specified areas. Most of the efforts are undertaken during daytime hours.
Advertisements
The board voted 4-1 to approve S&S Wildlife’s proposal in an amount not to exceed $27,200. The board also voted 4-1 to approve a separate agreement for egg addling and permitting services in the amount of $5,225. Supervisor Jeff Boraski voted no for both.
