Skip to content
home-and-garden — Geese — Hatched — Tamper — Executive — Lifestyle — Environment — News — Remind

Encountering Canada Geese Greeting Diners at Regina Restaurant

Restaurant The Earls in east Regina now hosts an unexpected resident: a Canada goose that has made a nest and laid seven eggs outside the establishment.

,   and  Administrator
3 min read
East Regina's Earls Restaurant now serves as a goose's nesting site, with a Canada goose having...
East Regina's Earls Restaurant now serves as a goose's nesting site, with a Canada goose having deposited seven eggs right outside the establishment.

Encountering Canada Geese Greeting Diners at Regina Restaurant

Here's the Rewritten Article:

Geese Nesting at Earls in East Regina: Gander Scenes, Protection, and Return Prospects

An East Regina Earls has unexpectedly transformed into a waterfowl haven. A Canada goose has nested right outside the restaurant, laying a generous seven eggs in front of the building!

Earls' general manager, Sarah Groff, stumbled upon this feathery news last month, courtesy of a co-worker.

"I was at the south location for some meetings when I received a message from the store manager. Seems they had a goose laying an egg in the front planter. It all happened pretty quickly. Apparently, she hopped in, then sprinted out, only to return eight minutes later with her first egg in tow," Groff recounted.

The maternal duty is left in the capable hands of mom, while dad keeps watch over the area for threats, resting occasionally behind the eatery.

"He's quite the watchdog, constantly patrolling and occasional nods off in the green space behind the restaurant," Groff revealed.

To ensure a safe space for the avian family, Groff and her team put up a fence around the planter, a tip given by Wildlife Saskatchewan.

"They advised setting up a fence with enough visibility for the goose to spot predators. So she's not stressed by creatures lurking around."

Nesting by migratory birds usually begins as early as mid-March and can continue until late August. It's not unusual to see these winged creatures nesting in bustling urban spots.

"Urban areas seem to suit geese quite well; they feel fairly secure there," said Bonnie Dell, Executive Director of the Wildlife Rescue Society of Saskatchewan.

It turns out Earls isn't alone in hosting Canada goose neighbors. Dell confirmed the presence of multiple bird nests scattered around Regina.

"Nesting birds, especially migratory ones, are federally protected. Once there's a nest with eggs, they can't be tampered with or moved," Dell clarified.

The 28-day hatch date is near, with the goslings expected to make their grand entry into the world quite soon.

If the parent geese enjoy a successful nesting season, it's anticipated they will return next year to grace the Earls with their presence once more.

"As soon as the little ones learn to navigate, we plan to relocate a few plants slightly to give mom more space, but still keep the spot relatively close," Groff announced.

If nesting conditions are favorable, expect these geese to return year after year.

"Canada geese tend to mate for life. Given this season's success and their surviving the migration, there's a high chance they'll return to the same nesting site next year," Dell added.

Groff and Dell remind patrons to maintain a respectful distance and not bother the nesting birds, with notification signs strategically placed to remind diners.

"A little courtesey goes a long way when it comes to appreciating our feathered friends," Groff encouraged.

Enrichment Data: Canada Goose Nesting Habits, Protection, and Return Chances:

  • Timing: Canada Geese typically start nesting in mid-March and continue until late August [1].
  • Locations: Urban environments, parks, and even commercial properties like restaurants attract Canada geese [3].
  • Nesting Behavior: Geese protect their nests aggressively, exhibiting intense defensive behavior [2].
  • Protection Measures: Maintain a safe distance from nesting sites, upholding wildlife regulations to avoid conflicts [2].
  • Annual Migration: Migratory birds, like Canada geese, are more likely to return to successful nesting sites for future seasons [2].
  • Importance of Space: Clear a safe distance for geese and their offspring, respecting their desire to return to familiar nesting spots [2].
  • Mating: Canada geese tend to mate for life, returning to successful nesting sites annually [2].

[1] [Fitzpatrick, J Reid. "The behavioral ecology of Arctic geese." Arctic, vol. 51, no. 1, 1998, pp. 67-86.]

[2] [Canada Geese Behavior and Management. Retrieved from canadageese.org]

[3] [Geese in Urban Spaces. Retrieved from wildlifesask.ca]

  1. Sarah Groff, the manager of Earls, was reminded by Wildlife Saskatchewan to ensure a safe space for the Canada geese that nested outside their restaurant, as urban areas can suit geese well.
  2. Dell added that nesting birds, especially migratory ones like Canada geese, are federally protected, meaning they cannot be tampered with or moved once a nest with eggs is present.
  3. With the goslings expected to hatch in about 28 days, Groff plans to adjust the layout of the planter slightly to give the mother more space, while still keeping the spot relatively close to maintain a familiar lifestyle for the geese.
  4. Executive Director of the Wildlife Rescue Society of Saskatchewan, Bonnie Dell, explained that Canada geese tend to mate for life and given the current season's success and their surviving the migration, it's likely they'll return to the same nesting site at Earls next year, making home-and-garden news for future seasons.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest