The Earls in east Regina is more than just a restaurant these days. It has also become the nesting ground for a Canada goose that has laid seven eggs in front of the building. General manager, Sarah Groff, said she first learned of the nest through a co-worker last month. “I was actually working at the south location that week for meetings and I got a message from the manager running my store that there is a goose with an egg in the front planter. It happened really quickly. I guess they noticed her jump in there, she jumped out and then within eight minutes, she was back in there with her first egg laid,” Groff explained. While mom nests her eggs, dad monitors the premises for predators or will rest in the green space behind the restaurant. “He is head of security. Constantly doing his rounds, but sometimes you’ll catch him sleeping in the green space behind where they go to feed as well,” Groff said. To create a safe space for the feathered family, Groff and her team put up a fenced barrier around the planter. “It was actually suggested by Wildlife Saskatchewan. They suggested putting up some sort of fence and barrier up that wasn’t actually completely blocking the nest that she could still see through, so she wasn’t worried about predators coming near.” Nesting season for migratory birds starts as early as mid-March and can extend to late August, and it’s not uncommon for them to settle in busy spots. “Geese really like a good urban environment. It’s a safe place for them for the most part. They like to nest where they have a good view all around them and from above while they watch for predators,” said Bonnie Dell, the executive director of the Wildlife Rescue Society of Saskatchewan. Earls isn’t the only establishment in Regina with geese building nests, with Dell noting there are numerous sites around the city. “Nesting birds are protected, they’re migratory birds and therefore federally protected. Once there is an egg and a nest, you can not tamper with it or move it,” she explained. There is a 28-day incubation period for the eggs. Their arrival is expected any day now. Once the goslings have hatched, Groff said they expect to see the birds back next year if they have a successful nesting season. “Once they start to navigate, we’ll probably flip out some plants and to that, assuming if she has a really successful year this year, she will be back. We’re looking at potentially just moving it a bit down into the rocks a little bit more so she still has the space, just not right directly beside the front door.” If migratory birds have a good nesting season, they likely will return to that same spot. “They mate for life, so if these two survive together for the next year and the goslings this year, and make it to the water safely, then it’s considered a safe nesting and they will come back to it,” Dell added. Groff and Dell would like to remind anyone visiting the restaurant to give the birds their space and not to disrupt their nesting. Signage has been posted on the fence to remind patrons to not bother the birds.
