Dr. Phil Whitford installs a GooseBuster unit
Eugene, OR (Vocus) July 14, 2010
Who doesn’t love the sight and sound of a skein of Canada geese honking elevated? Well, pilots and airport authorities! Canada geese can spell ample trouble. Their numbers have altered exponentially, turning the species from a loved unsettled visitor to an annihilating nuisance. Pest geese now posture an earthshaking hazard to health, and even life. Since last year’s ‘Miracle on the Hudson’’ galvanized and animated the nation, most of us now cognize it’s in the air that Canada geese can bring down the greatest havoc
But pest geese are a problem on the ground, too. Goose droppings cause distributed pollution in ponds, lakes, golf courses and parks. Children ‘go through the motions’’ on sports fields comprehensive – playing amid feces that incorporate salmonella, e. coli and a host of other organisms. Unwelcome Canada geese rupture up lawns and decimate newly-planted crops.
What to do? Enter ‘Dr. Goose.’ Emeritus professor of biology Dr. Philip Whitford has expended a lifetime analysing Canada geese – especially what makes them GO AWAY. With wit – and an enduring admiration and affection for the species – ‘Dr. Goose’’ regularly explains to posed and technological audiences the biology, habits and little-known quirks of these bewitching but problem birds.
The first and only researcher to capture the rare goose ‘alarm’’ call in a recording, ‘Dr. Goose’’ specializes in the vocalizations of geese. These may sound alike to us, but in fact they are incomparable and highly characteristic – if you are another goose. Working with Pest Bird Companies like Bird-X, Inc., a leading industry authority, over a number of years he has evolved and proven a ‘alarm’ and alert’’ call playback device named the Goose’Buster®. Its four speakers relay digital, unaffected recordings of these biological discouraging calls across an ample area. Humans get word an acquainted, moving, call-of-the-wild cry; but to pest geese, these ‘wilderness’’ sounds signal danger. Multiple studies have shown that problem geese react instantly – and stay away. Dr. Whitford’s most modern tests, near the goose-filled Horicon Marsh in amidship Wisconsin, show eminent efficacy rates and long-term effectiveness in keeping the geese away from blue-chip young crops – a loved food source. Across all control methods tested in individual printed studies, the on-demand playback of Canada goose alarm and watchful calls has been shown to be most efficacious.
It’s vital to understand the geese, since their behavior is affected by instincts that may work for or against our attempts to control them. It’s also highly seasonal. It’s very arduous to travel on cuddling geese with young goslings, as the adults are flightless at this time – but advanced summer is a close-grained time to get down. These efforts pay off again in aboriginal spring, when returning geese can be driven elsewhere before they repossess their territories. Geese are astute – too astute, when we are seeking to fool them. They quickly larn when a planned visit from a collie is callable, and return happily to the property once the dog has traveled on to the next client. Their eyesight and hearing are far more perceptive than ours. Social and distrustful creatures, geese last by discouraging each other immediately when threats loom. ‘Alert’’ calls spell danger. Notching up the panic level, the ‘alarm’’ name of another goose is the equal of a five-alarm fire. It prompts instant escape, without hanging up around to see what the problem might be
A pilot himself, ‘Dr. Goose’’ is all too acquainted with problem wildlife. (He once narrowly escaped grave injury in a collision with a deer on an agrarian runway. In registering the necessitated report, he was bemused to be inquired at what altitude the incident took place.) A familiar figure at pest management and Bird Strike conferences, he lectures nationally and internationally. Fully attested by the FAA as an airport wildlife hazard management consultant, Dr. Whitford is now accessible to assist in enforcing FAA O.K. wildlife management plans for airports.*
For all problem geese situations, the doctor advises a multi-faceted approach, with zero tolerance for pest geese to stay. Controlling pest geese is an ongoing task, established on scientifically sound insight and research. Since geese are assisted, their eggs may only be anointed or addled with a permit. Success may unite habitat alteration with taste aversions, seeable and (most importantly) audible scares to act upon these aesthetic but untidy visitors to travel on.
Certified FAA wildlife hazard management consultants advise airports on wildlife population management and dispersal techniques, endangered species act compliance, wetlands mitigation, pesticide usage, drafting and implementation of integrated wildlife hazard management programs, and review of applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and ordinances under the requirements of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 139
If wished, Dr. Whitford is accessible for interview by arrangement
Media Contact Alison James (312) 226-8450 ajames (at) bird-x (dot) com
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