Geese Gotta Go

Excrement on our fields and in our parks is just one of the problems posed by flocks of geese, which seem to multiply each year. After several reports of an aggressive goose on the grounds of Scarsdale High School, the school made attempts to keep pedestrians away from the nest with signage and fencing. When that didn’t work, they knew that the nest had to be relocated. In order to do so legally, they applied for a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to move the nest. Now in receipt of that permit, the nest will be moved.

Here is a letter (April 19, 2022) from Scarsdale High School Principal Kenneth Bonamo that explains the issue:

Dear Members of the SHS Community:

As you may know, our campus is home to many Canada geese every Spring. Unfortunately, a pair of roosting geese has nested directly against the east side of the science wing. This has become problematic because the male has exhibited extremely aggressive behavior toward all who come near the nest or this pair of geese. Some students and staff members have reported this aggressive behavior to the point of being physically attacked by the gander.

Our buildings and grounds team attempted to mitigate this situation by installing temporary fencing and signage to keep people away from the nest and to protect them from the goose. This has proved to not be much of a deterrent for the geese or their curious onlookers.

Because of the particularly aggressive nature of the goose’s behavior and the location of the nest adjacent to a highly trafficked walkway, as well as in light of the upcoming carnival this weekend, we have made the decision to have the nest removed. This will safeguard individuals as well as the geese themselves. Given the nesting patterns of Canada geese, removing the nest is the only way to get the geese to leave the area.

We have applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and have been granted a permit to remove the nest. We have arranged for our licensed game removal contractor to remove the nest. We have been advised that the geese will linger for a while before leaving the area.

Please know we exhausted all our options before making this decision, but given the circumstances this is the only way to maintain the safety of the community and the geese themselves.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Bonamo
Principal