Geese crossing signs - Photo: Dee Renee Ericks

Article by Dee Renee Ericks

Many a traveler heading out to Ediz Hook north of Port Angeles, makes the journey for the beautiful vistas and the chance of seeing sea life and birds. On the approach to this unique area, one passes through the McKinley Paper Mill. The posted speed limit is lowered to 15 MPH due to the congestion of Mill activity, pedestrians, and parking lots. Traffic through this area includes sport fishermen trailering boats, large mill trucks and trailers, service trucks, employees of the mill, and USCG base service members intent on their destination.

Observant travelers approaching the Mill can view families of Canada Geese that frequent the mill pond and nearby grassy areas, especially during their nesting season from March thru July each year. The geese feed and rest on the grass and then cross this busy road to get to the pond. Dodging traffic can be tricky for both motorist and geese with their goslings in tow. Whether the vehicle hits the goose or the goose hits the vehicle, it’s always bad for the goose. Last June, Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society (OPAS) received a bicyclist’s report of 5 dead Canada Geese at the edge of the road near the mill pond. They appeared to have been hit by vehicles. Drivers need to understand that adult geese molt their flight feathers during their nesting season and goslings are just growing their new flight feathers. So both the adults and the young are flightless during this part of each year.

Spurred by concern for the geese, OPAS reached out to Port Angeles City Manager Nathan West and Councilman Lindsey Schromen-Wawrin, and they agreed to support posting “Geese Crossing” signs during nesting season. Good news for the geese is that a sign was posted in early March this year. We applaud the City of Port Angeles for their responsive action to alert drivers to the presence of geese in the road. May it be a reminder to every motorist approaching the mill pond to slow down and watch for geese. We look forward to seeing this year’s goslings and their parents survive!