For those of you that have already met me, you probably know that I am a big fan of the Royal Fountains. Ever since I was a kid, I have always adored them. I am such a geek that I even have the patterns memorized and at night when the lights are on, I can tell which light colors will come on next.

 

Every spring, Kings Island faces the problem with Canada geese sitting around the fountain. To me, geese are just a pain in the rear. They crap on everything, and can be very vicious. The problem is that there is an intrusion detection system around the fountain. At night, when the lights are on, there are two infrared beams that surround the fountain. If there is a break in the beam, such as someone jumping in, it turns all of the lights off to prevent electrocution. When the geese sit around the fountain, it tricks the system into thinking someone is jumping in, so it turns all of the lights off.

 

I have talked to maintenance before and they told me all of this so I am not making this up. When I was at Kings Island on April 21st, I noticed that there have been three wires installed around the entire fountain to prevent geese from sitting on the edge. I am so glad that they did this. Kudos to maintenance or whoever came up with this idea. Now, we can all enjoy sitting on International Street at night watching the fountains with the lights on not worrying about the geese causing them to go out.

 

 

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Those 3 wires are likely electrified. Sounds similar to what the zoo does with open air exhibits to keep the animals in.

At a sailing club in Illinois I used to belong to they would string some fishing line bout 6-8 feet in the air along the the length of the docks and that seemed to keep the gulls and other flying critters off of them and the boats.  Not sure exactly how it works but probably something similar.  

IT seems like it's time to modernize to submersible LED fountain lighting anyway, if the decision makers so desire.  I can think of some practical uses for drones as it relates to scaring away Canada geese.

You simply cannot control a Canada Goose, they're just too horrible. Know someone who's gotten rid of one and lived to tell about it? Exactly.

We were selling Scout Camp Cards in front of Walmart in STL a few years ago and these geese decided to make their nest in the planter.  They would get all bossy with cars driving by holding up traffic.   I don't understand how these creatures survived the evolutionary process.   The SUV is going to survive every time.  

They can still get in the fountain. This was this evening. 

When I was there last night, they flew over the wires into the fountain. That's fine as long as they don't sit on the edge and block the laser beam.


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They can still get in the fountain. This was this evening. 

Were the lights on in the fountain when you walked by?


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The lights were on all night, at least every time I came by to film them. So happy to see them back!

 

In my experience sweeping, this fix just encourages the geese to hang out and be aggressive by the Bier Gardens instead.

On 4/22/2017 at 10:19 PM, pianoman said:

Were the lights on in the fountain when you walked by?


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Yes they were!

On 2017-04-22 at 5:14 PM, 2012Jarrett said:

You simply cannot control a Canada Goose, they're just too horrible. Know someone who's gotten rid of one and lived to tell about it? Exactly.

I'll give you a hint as to how we control 'em up here: They're edible...

 

Well, at least it's not a Grease problem. "Summer loving'! Happened so fast!" Sorry, there's still a little Paramount in the park for me. x_x

20 minutes ago, Honorarius said:

I'll give you a hint as to how we control 'em up here: They're edible...

Where is up here?

3 hours ago, Honorarius said:

I'll give you a hint as to how we control 'em up here: They're edible...

 

There is a hunting season for Canada Geese. However, in the US they are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. More info at ODNR - http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/species-and-habitats/nuisance-wildlife

This is from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: https://www.fws.gov/birds/faqs.php "However, if you are a landowner, homeowner’s association, public land manager, or local government in the lower 48 states or the District of Columbia, you may be able to  register for federal authorization to destroy resident Canada Goose nests and eggs on property under your jurisdiction."

They're protected here by the Migratory Birds Convention Act...  From https://www.ec.gc.ca/mbc-com/default.asp?lang=en&n=98A918B1-1#ws988AAEC9"The MBCA provides for the protection and conservation of migratory birds, and prohibits people from harming birds, except under specified conditions. Several species, including Canada geese, are considered game birds and may be hunted. The Act gives the federal government the responsibility to establish hunting seasons" ...

So basically they say when you can hunt them, how many you can hunt and make you get a license... Here in Ontario it's a $17 dollar license on top of your regular hunting license... Bag limit last year was 5 a day, no limit on how many you could have in your freezer...

 

I actually had a gaggle of mixed geese stop by my back porch occasionally when I lived in Landen. These were Canada and greylag geese, sometimes accompanied by other anseriformes like mallard ducks. They had been spoiled by the previous occupants, who must have fed them a lot, because they would cautiously waddle up to our patio and, once they realized they weren't getting fed, would simply lay down and tuck their bills into their feathers and sleep.  Because of this, I developed a love for the species, but I understand how they can annoy some.

I hate them! Got bit on the butt by one in High School for walking too close to a nest that I didn't see....the goose chased me and well...it bit me.

More geese than usual today. I even saw them roosting in a nest above the jail on the train ride. A goose actually flew out in front of the train so the engineer blasted the whistle and it flew off honking.

 

I saw a family is the Diamondback fenced in water area. 2 adults and 3-4 young ones. Adds to the coaster excitement,  I guess 

1 minute ago, Gannersdaddy said:

I saw a family is the Diamondback fenced in water area. 2 adults and 3-4 young ones. Adds to the coaster excitement,  I guess 

As long as we don't have another Fabio incident.

Once the fountains are turned off, it is THE place for geese to sleep apparently 

What exactly is the problem with them?  Other than them possibly hitting a guest on a ride.  I actually like to watch them around the park.

They can be mean when on their nest, and they make a mess everywhere.

The geese like to sit on the lights in the fountain to sleep once they shut off for the night.


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We saw one in the fountain when the fountain was on full bore, like it was no big deal.

They will never get rid of them. If they are terrorizing guests, I'll grab one by it's neck. That will be the end of that goose!

3 minutes ago, fyrfyter said:

We saw one in the fountain when the fountain was on full bore, like it was no big deal.

They will never get rid of them. If they are terrorizing guests, I'll grab one by it's neck. That will be the end of that goose!

And you can be heavily fined. These animals are protected by law. 

And you can be heavily fined. These animals are protected by law. 

You can't be fined when an animal is harassing you or being a nuisance to you.

It's the same as taking a deer who is causing property damage.

Better read that law again.

I saw these guys last Friday (05/19) and the lights in the fountain just kept going around them.


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