At first glance, the ducks roaming the fairways at The Club at Pecan Grove almost look like part of the scenery. From a distance, they appear as scattered patches of black, white and brown against the manicured greens of the Richmond golf course. Some even waddle up to arriving golfers with wagging tails, almost like dogs greeting visitors.
But the country club says the birds have become far more than a quirky neighborhood attraction.
The majority are Muscovy ducks, a large, invasive species known for the red, warty skin on their faces and their ability to rapidly multiply in suburban environments. Mixed among them are Egyptian geese, another invasive species recognizable by their chestnut-colored eye patches, pink legs and loud, territorial behavior.
Together, the non-native birds have overtaken parts of the semi-private community golf course and the surrounding neighborhood, prompting club officials to move forward with what they describe as a humane wildlife management plan.
“We hear you on the duck situation,” The Club at Pecan Grove wrote in an April 27 announcement. “They’ve become a real issue—not just here, but across the area—and we agree something needs to be done.”
‘Doing nothing was no longer a responsible option.’
Charles Odom, president of the club’s board of directors, told Chron the property is now dealing with roughly 400 Muscovy ducks, along with a smaller but growing Egyptian goose population.
“What started as a relatively small presence has grown into a larger population that is now impacting the environment, water quality, and overall usability of the property,” Odom said. “Over the past year, it reached a point where doing nothing was no longer a responsible option.”
The birds leave droppings across sidewalks, golf cart paths and other areas on the property. Their waste can pollute small bodies of water, while their size and numbers damage turf and landscaping. Club officials also say the invasive species compete with native wildlife for food and habitat…