Canada Geese causing problems in Springfield Park

Canada Geese at Springfield Park and a large patch of mud where the geese have destroyed the grass

Users of Springfield Park are concerned at the number of Canada Geese that are setting up home in the park. The geese, which have lived in the park for a number of years, have now multiplied to over 100 and have now reached “vermin proportions.”

Brian Taylor, a user of the park said: “They’ve taken over the pond and it is becoming increasingly rare to see other species there.”

One issue caused by the geese is the amount of faeces left in the park. The faeces left by Canada Geese contains fecal coliform bacteria. It is understood that this bacteria can cause gastroenteritis, ear infections, typhoid fever and hepatitis amongst other problems.

Brian added: “It is impossible, even for tiny children’s feet, to walk anywhere on the immediate north side of the pond without getting this on their shoes. The same applies to dogs walked in the park. Feet go home and bacteria are spread to the carpet, floor or worse.”

A second issue caused by the geese is the damage to the grass in the park. The geese will often 'paddle' on the grass until there is no grass left, leaving areas of the park covered in mud.

“Many people welcome having such a leisure facility close to home but as the accessible areas decrease because of the damage caused by the geese and the absolutely filthy conditions and mess that result from the fecal waste, some questions need answering,” said Brian.

The Friends of Springfield Park Group is aware of the problem. A spokesperson for the group said: “We are very regularly contacted by park users who are really fed up with getting goose faeces on their shoes, their clothes, their prams and pushchairs, their dogs and particularly their children because of the dangers to everyone's health.

“These geese are now classed as vermin in the UK, where we believe there are now in excess of 85,000 causing similar problems all over. It is apparently possible to acquire a licence from Natural England which allows them to be killed by shooting, impossible in a public park, but also for their nests and eggs to be destroyed and them to be harassed to try to and make them move on, but this is a long term project. Any support to try to alleviate this quite dangerous problem would be very, very welcome.”

A spokesperson for Rochdale Borough Council said: “We are aware of the problem, which is not unique to Springfield Park, it is a national issue. We follow best practice guidelines and humane methods of control from Natural England and the RSPB and we will continue to work with park users, public protection colleagues, other agencies and also with the Friends Group to tackle this problem.

“Our strategy over the past few years has been to make adjustments to the habitat, to make it more uncomfortable and less appealing for the geese. There is a fence around the water’s edge and we have removed the opportunity for large birds to nest on the island, whilst still allowing smaller birds to breed. These methods have served to keep an element of control on the numbers of geese.”