Urban geese released near Aylmer

The first of 856 Canada geese ventured off of a transport truck and headed to the water at Aylmer Wildlife Management Area on Thursday, June 26. The geese were caught in Oakville where they were a nuisance to residents there when they wouldn’t move away from properties near the waterfront. The prior day 564 Canada geese from Mississauga arrived at the management area located northeast of Aylmer off Hacienda Road. The geese would remain at the site for about a month while their flight feathers grew back and the birds gained strength. Elgin Stewardship Council volunteer Clarence Helkaa, one of the men who maintained the management area, said the waterfowl would not remain in the area. Canada geese from the Greater Toronto Area had been caught and transported to the Aylmer site for about 20 years.