Several large flocks of Canada geese were seen flying south over Putnam County on Wednesday, October 5.   Skeins of 25 to 200 of these magnificent birds flew fast and high assisted by a strong northwesterly breeze of 15-20 mph – the first from this direction in many weeks and a sure sign of frost to our north.

Later in the afternoon, GEESE OFF! staff reported 300 geese in a large pond directly to our south on the north shore of Long Island.  They had moved on by the next visit in the evening.

Their epic journey from the tundra of the Arctic circle to their wintering grazing lands up and down the eastern sea-board is underway.   Goose control now enters a different cycle with large groups of geese returning to ponds and grazing grounds that have been quiet over the summer.  Long Island, southern Westchester and New Jersey are particularly popular wintering grounds for huge flocks of migrating geese due to the abundance of sheltered bays, reservoirs, lakes and ponds in close proximity to parks, playing fields, golf courses and large lawns.

As people and dogs retire indoors to escape the cold, the GEESE OFF! Border collies and staff will be working on these geese day and night across the autumn and winter to ensure they keep our clients’ properties as goose-free as possible.

To see how these dogs work, please watch the fourth episode of  the GEESE OFF! short video series “In dogged pursuit of geese – How we do it.”  http://www.geeseoff.com/new-york/westchester/geese-videos.php