Geese Nets News Update 12/20/24

We have found some unexpected good news about our project that should please our members and also the other Dawn Lake residents.

Project: the nets were installed just before July 1st. Suspended on paracord strung between the rails on each dock the extend in the water about 12-18" and rise above the water line about 1-2 feet. Because of the light green color and the small threads they are virtually invisible against the water. They cover the waterfront from dock 110 to 144.

They have been a total success even in the month of July, before the seasonal out-migration. After completion of the project there have been no geese (and no droppings!!!) on the lawns. Zero geese on lawns in five months. The geese that still use the lake do so primarily at night and go feed elsewhere. None are seen ashore. More recently we found various posts that recommend humane ways to protect ponds from geese by planting reeds and pampas grass at the water's edge. We have achieved the same result.

Unexpected successes:

1. Coots and Buffleheads also do not come ashore. None have been seen on the grass. There are plenty on the lake but we no longer need "coot shoes" to walk on the lawns.

2. Minnows have a new protected area between the net and the wall. They were seen in various locations evading bigger predators by swimming through the holes in the net. At the same time, we have found not a single mature fish tangled in the nets.

3. Our four swans have a new food source. They have been seen sticking their heads in the water to bite the bottom edge of the net now covered with algae. They emerge eating what appear to be small crustaceans (part of their natural diet). They seem to like whatever they have found as they diligently clean each stretch of net.

Stay tuned for another update when the seasonal in-migration happens. Fingers crossed.

Marco Messina

Dock 126