While geese and ducks being spotted along your shoreline is completely normal in New Hampshire, large numbers of these waterfowl can present issues for both the lakes and the humans living nearby. Droppings from duck and geese, which are inevitable when they visit, contain harmful bacteria and nutrients. These can fuel algal blooms and cyanobacteria in our lakes.
Fortunately, vegetative buffers can work effectively to discourage these waterfowl from visiting your property.
How Do Vegetative Buffers Work to Discourage Waterfowl?
Natural barriers of native perennial plants act as both a physical barrier for waterfowl and sightline obstruction making them less likely to approach your shoreline. Ducks and geese tend to prefer open areas for feeding, so creating a shoreline that appears less open will encourage the waterfowl to choose a different location to land.
Natural shorelines also do more than just deter waterfowl. These barriers also help to mitigate shoreline erosion, helping to keep our lake clean. The roots of the plants help to stabilize the soil, and the plants themselves allow the soil to take in more water, limiting runoff.
If your curious if one of these natural shorelines could be beneficial for your property, consider looking into our “Lake Minded” program and having one of our WWA volunteers come look at your property.