DENVER — For those who say there are no predators for geese who nest in urban areas, think again. One Denver neighborhood says kids are threatening a pair trying to hatch eggs in an uncommon area.
They make for common sights and sounds.
Canada geese are inundating Denver’s parks and waterways. Our geese don’t really migrate anymore because Colorado still has a lot of open water throughout the winter
But in the Sun Valley neighborhood a pair is copping a squat in an unusual place. “I`ve never seen a nest, though, this close to the building,” said Melissa McDaniel who lives nearby.
Now the soon-to-be-parents’ nest is being threatened by bullying kids.
“They had the Easter eggs and they have chicken eggs thrown at them, soda cans, a mop head, just anything the kids could kind of pick up to throw at them,” McDaniel said.
“Mama”, as McDaniel now calls the female goose, perches on a pile of trash.
“It’s very unfortunate that we do have some kids that don`t have that love of life and are just able to be cruel and hurt other creatures,” said McDaniel.
McDaniel is trying to be the pair’s protector.
“Kind of talk to them, hoping they might understand that I`m not here to hurt them but help them,” she said she tells the pair as she put water in a bowl and bread on the ground.
“Obviously I`m a mom and she`s trying to be a mom and so, just to protect the little ones,” she said.
But McDaniel is learning there’s not much she can do.
“Because they are a federally protected bird and a migratory bird, once their eggs are in the nest, you are not allowed to destroy them, you are not allowed to mess with them at all,” said Jennifer Churchill, Public Information Officer for Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
“I want to make sure she has success in hatching her eggs,” said McDaniel.
McDaniel also wants to make sure the kids responsible learn to respect the wildlife around them — even when found in unexpected places.
“For the parents whose kids are doing this, you guys, we need to teach our kids the importance of everything. You know life is so precious and so important and if we can’t get that message to our kids, we are in trouble,” she said.
Harassment of Canada Geese or damaging their nest or eggs could result in charges and a fine of at least $150.