The mother goose and her partner are expected to remain in the area until their seven eggs hatch and they all head to water.
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An unexpected party of eight recently arrived at a Regina restaurant when a mother goose made her home in a large outdoor flower pot.
The Canada goose and her nest of seven eggs have been greeting patrons near the entrance of Earls Kitchen + Bar in east Regina since she arrived a few weeks back.
“She couldn’t have picked a planter closer to the door,” said Sarah Groff, general manager of Earls Regina east.
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Groff sought advice from the Wildlife Rescue Society of Saskatchewan (WRSOS) about how to handle the geese. She put up fencing to protect the mother and her nest along with a written notice to advise guests of the situation in case they stop to take a gander.
“She hangs out with us from morning to night,” said Groff, adding that the father is also nearby. “It’s been really amazing. It’s a really cool thing to be a part of.”
Restaurant staff members have nicknamed the female goose Mama Earl or Earlette while the father is called Earl. With seven babies on the way, front-of-house staffers have been asking younger diners for name suggestions.
“I feel quite bonded to her,” Groff said with a laugh. “I’m gonna have an emotional breakdown when she goes but I know it’s for the best.”
Bonnie Dell, executive director WRSOS, said geese typically like to nest in wide-open areas where they can keep an eye open for predators. While this nest is in close proximity to pedestrians, Dell cautioned against moving the planter.
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“These are migratory birds and they are federally protected,” she said, praising Groff’s efforts to accommodate the birds. “You cannot interfere with the nest, with the eggs, with the mother, with the father.”
Moving the nest or chasing off the birds could mean thousands of dollars in fines, according to Dell. While the mother readies for her eggs to hatch, Dell and Groff ask that people give the goose her space.
As for whether Earls will remain a nesting location in the future, Dell said if some of the goslings make it safely to water, the geese may return since they mate for life.
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