As spring weather begins to appear in the parks and surrounding nature areas, the Naperville Park District reminds park visitors to be aware of the needs of birds and other wildlife that are nesting and raising their young.
Spring is nesting time for geese, which means that they become protective of their mates and young. Signs a goose is protecting its territory include:
- Warning call
- Spreading its wings
- Hissing sounds
- Confronting people or animals that come near their nest or mate
- Lowering its head
When walking in a park, try to stay away from protective geese. Visit Northeastern IPM Center to learn more about the Canada Geese.
Another animal to watch for this season is the turtle. In the springtime, female aquatic turtles leave the water to find a suitable spot to lay their eggs. The most common aquatic turtles in our parks are painted turtles, red-eared sliders, and common snapping turtles. If you see a snapping turtle, observe from a safe distance. Additionally, female turtles may cross streets to find a suitable nesting site, even if it is far from water. Drivers are encouraged to slow down and be more observant this spring and summer…