Nesting Canada geese are located in urban backyards in Calgary

Nesting season has brought some birds to Calgary's urban spaces.

A flowerpot outside Winsport's Markin MacPhail Center has become home to a mother goose and her defense partner.

The male, who was predicted to hatch on Mother's Day, was sitting on his eggs, causing a commotion nearby.

The move prompted officials to erect two red tape barricades around the flower pot until the duo took off.

“He's very territorial,” Winsport's Dale Oviatt said. “We think we're going to make sure dad is getting close and no one else is getting close.”

Canada Geese are known to fly to outlying areas near reservoirs when the weather warms between March and May.

This is when the eggs are laid and the male usually “protects” the nesting female.

Like all birds, geese try to find nesting sites safe from predators, such as trees or near water, but they also flock to busy urban areas and are attracted to tall, flat-roofed buildings and sheltered areas. patios.

“They are very particular about where they move, where they stop and where they nest,” Sarah Jordan-McLachlan said. “They mate for life, so the same pair comes back again and again.”

“(Calgarians) need to remember that any nesting bird is protecting its mates and young, so give them as much space as possible.”

Five minutes away from Markin MacPhail Arena, another pair of geese was at home in a planter outside Green's Dental Hygiene.

Clinic staff gave the couple the name of the street where the company is located.

“Mr. and Mrs. Na'a are a lovely couple,” office manager Katelyn Kinsella told CTV News. “Mr. Na'a likes to look at his image all day, (and) mom is on six eggs right now.”

The birds at Grinne are somewhat domesticated.

Kinsella says they are relatively docile around humans and only get tested when around other animals.

“It's very special to be up close to them and to see the whole process from their nest to their walk to the water,” Kinsella said.