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How Long Do Geese Stay in One Location Before Moving?

Wednesday, August 27, 2025 | By: Goose Masters

Nesting and Breeding Season

Canada geese migrate thousands of miles multiple times per year. They fly south for the winter months and return north for the warmer months to create nests, breed, raise their goslings, and molt. While not all birds are the same, most geese follow a similar migration pattern that is influenced by both instinct and weather conditions. Continue reading to learn more about when they nest, how long they stay, and what prevents geese from leaving an area. 

Understanding Geese Migration Patterns

Over several decades, the habits of Canada geese have changed somewhat, with some Canada geese opting to settle down in one location; however, most birds follow similar migration patterns. Migration is a recurring relocation of birds throughout different seasons, typically occurring at the same time the weather shifts. Their need for certain resources drives them to find suitable locations for living and breeding. 

When a bird migrates south, its primary goal is to avoid the weather, but when it moves north at the beginning of the year, they are looking for breeding grounds. Geese breeding is instinctual, and the need to create a safe nest is instilled within the birds. Generally, Canada geese will fly north during the springtime to find a worthy place for breeding, and will return south later in the year to avoid the harsh winter temperatures. Water and food are the main driving forces for birds to migrate in the winter. The process of migration typically begins towards the end of September, giving the birds time to travel and locate a body of water to stay near for their time in the south. The Canada geese will stay in their southern home through the winter until late spring.

Once the birds have migrated to new areas in the south, they will remain there for the entire winter. Here, they live in comfort, typically near a body of water that provides the necessary resources for them to survive. After migrating north, the birds most likely will return to their previous nesting areas. Once a goose nest is made, the mother will guard the eggs for a full month during incubation. During this period, the female birds will refuse to leave the area, guarding the nest and eggs fiercely. When Canada geese nest, they become more dangerous to humans and other animals. Male geese become especially aggressive during this period and may attack anyone who comes near the nest. 

Why Do Canada Geese Migrate?

Geese migrate in order to create a suitable habitat for themselves for survival and for nesting. These wild birds can travel up to 3,000 miles during the winter months in search of an ideal resting place. They fly as fast speeds reaching up to 70 miles per hour, typically traveling in groups of up to 100 birds. In some scenarios, you may see many more birds flying in large flocks as they make their way across the country each year. 

Many birds will migrate south during the colder months and fly north during the warmer parts of the year. Canada geese are known to be birds that seek out comfort, including nearby water, safety, food, and an ideal spot to build their nest. During the late spring, the breeding season begins, and they need a warmer environment in order to provide safety and resources for their goslings. Canada geese are known to enjoy a particular area and return each migration season. Geese return to nesting sites that provide resources and a hospitable environment. 

Canada geese don’t exclusively build their nests in wildlife areas and have become more accustomed to environments inhabited by humans. As urban areas spread and become more popular, Canada geese continue to adapt. Some Canada geese don’t migrate anymore, meaning they maintain their stay in one area for the entire year. This is more likely to occur in areas that have fewer wildlife predators, a warmer climate, and ample resources like food and water. To prevent Canada geese from nesting and breeding on your property, your best chance of success is having a professional geese management company implement control tactics. By controlling the area and using our trained goose dogs, we can reduce the appeal of your property and coax geese into finding a new home.

Do Geese Return Annually?

Because geese prioritize comfort, environmental factors weigh heavily when deciding which areas are suitable for nesting. Once they encounter an area that is ideal for geese nesting, they will return annually to reclaim their home. Geese nesting and breeding are a major part of a goose’s year, and returning to the same location saves them time and energy. They can prepare their nesting site and be ready to bring the next generation of Canada geese into the world. 

While not always true, it’s important to know that as goslings grow into adults, they sometimes continue migrating with the same flock. This means that the number of birds in a gaggle will probably not dwindle each year. If Canada geese continue to choose your property as one of their nesting areas, they may return every year. 

Preventing Canada geese from returning each year is tricky, but not impossible. As we simulate an unsafe environment for the geese, they will flee and become less comfortable over time. Through this operation, we strive to provoke them into finding a brand new nesting site to begin the breeding process. Goose Masters works with a wide range of clients, including residential properties, golf courses, parks, recreational facilities, education campuses, business campuses, hospitals, and more. If your property is experiencing a Canada goose infestation, contact us to learn more about how we can help control their behavior. Hesitating to hire goose control will only make the problem worse, as geese become more difficult to control as they become more comfortable, and will refuse to leave once nesting season has officially begun. Prevent geese nesting and stop them from becoming a resident on your property today!

Controlling Wild Geese

These stubborn wildlife creatures instinctively become aggressive and are very unlikely to relocate until after their goslings are developed enough to travel safely. Wildlife birds are difficult to control, but with “Goose Dogs, we simulate a dangerous environment that forces them to move around. The use of our Goose Dogs gives us the upper hand against stubborn Canada geese. We use the instincts of the bird against it by tricking it into believing the area is unsafe. Our Border Collies are professionally trained to create a predator-prey simulation. As the Border Collies stalk each bird, they associate the area with instinctual fear and will flee. 

Canada geese are extremely stubborn birds, especially during nesting season. Understanding their migratory patterns gives us insight into their behavior during each season of the year. As professional goose controllers, we have years of experience working with migratory wildlife. We track wildlife behavior and can quickly gather insight into the birds’ state of mind. We assess each property to determine the best course of action. We can determine if the geese are migratory or if they are resident geese living locally throughout the entire year. We can also gain insight into their migration patterns by looking at the state of their nests and better understanding their migration timeline. Contact Goose Masters today to schedule a free demonstration of our services. 

See Our Goose Dogs in Action

Goose Masters has years of experience implementing control techniques to scare geese away and create a safer, more enjoyable environment for our clients. We don’t rely on gimmicks like flashing lights, scarecrows, or other temporary solutions that are a waste of money. Our team works closely with our Goose Dogs to effectively disrupt the birds’ sense of safety on your property. Border Collies are excellent herd dogs, and with specialty training, can follow commands perfectly. 

Goose Masters will create a schedule based on your individual needs and can visit your property multiple times per day if necessary. We aim to get Canada geese off your property and train them to find new areas to live. If you have found any Canada goose nests on your property or are having a goose problem, call us and schedule a consultation! 

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