Duck, goose glut a mess for cities

Growing numbers of geese and ducks are forcing some Valley communities to take action and curb waste buildup on sidewalks and in lakes.

In Scottsdale, the problem reached crisis levels last summer, forcing the city to enact a law banning people from feeding the birds.

Eight months later, the ban has led to fewer people feeding the geese at the city’s Chaparral Park, which has seen a drop in repeat offenders who were known to throw whole bags of bread into the water.

With less temptation from handouts combined with other efforts, the bird population is down, though not significantly, Parks and Recreation

Supervisor Scott Anderson said.

The intent was never to “arrest 8-year-old girls for feeding ducks,” said Mike Rabe, a migratory-game-bird biologist for the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

“The intent was to stop the people who really abuse the system,” he said.

Across the Valley and state, the number of waterfowl has risen steadily in recent years, often leading to damaged landscaping and poor water quality from waste buildup, as well as the thousands of bird deaths, Rabe said.

Rabe said he had heard of homeowners associations that outlaw feeding ducks, though he was unaware of other Valley cities that enforce such a law.

Throwing crumbs entices the geese and other birds to nest and dwell in public areas. Parkgoers often complain of droppings scattered along sidewalks and on public benches.

Roberta Peterson, who lives across from Chaparral Park, 5401 N. Hayden Road, said many of the geese have migrated to grassy areas and ponds in her community.

She said there is more waste on the sidewalks these days.

“It’s a health hazard,” said Peterson, president of the Laguna San Juan homeowners asso- ciation. “If you have kids and you’re trying to walk or ride your bike and start slipping on the stuff, it’s just disgusting.”

Peterson said her HOA can’t afford to pay an agency to remove the geese. She said the city should take more action.

Scottsdale’s ban makes it a misdemeanor to feed wildlife in city parks. There have been no citations issued since the law took effect in June.

The city installed “no feeding” signs, and information is passed out to people caught tossing bread. There are plans to erect new, larger educational signs soon, Anderson said.

Rabe said many birds in the Valley stick around during the summer, lured by promises of handouts and the lush artificiallake environment.

During heat waves, water temperatures in lakes turn very warm, releasing the bacterium that causes botulism.

“Alot of ducks end up dying,” Rabe said. “I think it’s aided and abetted by feeding.”

In past years, Phoenix has enlisted the help of a federal wildlife-services program to remove some of the geese and ducks at Encanto Park.

Monthly report cards from the Game and Fish Department show that the overall health of waterfowl has “been in the good to excellent range,” meaning the bird population at the lake is stable and sustainable, city parks spokesman David Urbinato said.