Wild Broody Goose Might Need Help

[micstrachan]

Hi. Lately I’ve noticed a goose in the parking lot at work. One morning she was sitting right in the driving lane on the asphalt, but moved when my car crept closer.

Today, a colleague alerted me to the fact that she has a nest! She is sitting on eggs on top of a shipping container, panting in the sun. No shade whatsoever. She looks a little wet around the mouth... possibly drooling?

Does this sound like she’s in distress? Remember, this is a wild goose. How can I help her? Who do I call? My colleague says there has been a mate, so moving her and her eggs would probably not be best. I put water out nearby. However, what if she does not have the strength to get down and get water?

Also, these shipping containers are 12 feet (or whatever) tall. When and if the goslings hatch, I’m not sure she’ll be able to get them down. I might climb up with a ladder and bring some water at least.

 

[Kiki]

Walk away.
She knows what she's doing.

 

[turkey girl 0964]

You shouldn't mess with her. She and her mate could possibly hurt you and you might hurt their eggs.

 

[micstrachan]

Walk away.
She knows what she's doing.

You’re probably right. It just seems crazy that she’d build a nest with no cover whatsoever. Up high out of sight of ground predators, but in plain sight of hawks, crows, ravens and owls.

 

[micstrachan]

You shouldn't mess with her. She and her mate could possibly hurt you and you might hurt their eggs.

Oh goodness, I wouldn’t touch her. I was just thinking of putting water up there and/or calling someone who could determine whether she actually needs help or if she’s fine.

 

[Sheepheart]

She must feel like it’s a safe place with accessible food and water. I would leave her be. Wild geese are much hardier than most domestic geese, so she and her eggs will probably be just fine.

 

[micstrachan]

Thanks. Ok, you can tell I don’t keep geese, as I called it a “beak” instead of a “bill”. Anyway, the maintenance crew say they’ve seen geese hatch up on these containers before, so I’ll let it go.

https://youtube.com/shorts/zQK5p2L54r4?feature=share

 

[Sheepheart]

Thanks. Ok, you can tell I don’t keep geese, as I called it a “beak” instead of a “bill”. Anyway, the maintenance crew say they’ve seen geese hatch up on these containers before, so I’ll let it go.

https://youtube.com/shorts/zQK5p2L54r4?feature=share

Geese seem to like to nest on shipping containers like that. Also she’s watching you. She’s definitely a broody goose. One of my girls is an angry brooder, and gives looks like that when she’s on her nests. Also most of my girls move their bills like that when sitting on their nests to, it’s kinda like a warning.
Maybe comparable to a girl in a movie threatening to scream for her boyfriend.

 

[micstrachan]

Geese seem to like to nest on shipping containers like that. Also she’s watching you. She’s definitely a broody goose. One of my girls is an angry brooder, and gives looks like that when she’s on her nests. Also most of my girls move their bills like that when sitting on their nests to, it’s kinda like a warning.
Maybe comparable to a girl in a movie threatening to scream for her boyfriend.

That’s super helpful. Thank you! My colleague says she’s been up there for at least ten days. So maybe we’ll see goslings in the coming weeks!