Road Kill or Road Kill Not

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 20:17:05 +0000

I consider Canada Geese to be very lucky not to be the ‘road kill’ on the St. John sideroad. They move freely from one side of the street to the other, and cars honk their horns and actually stop for them to pass. Why not the same privelage for the poor muskrat or poor rabbit lying there flattened to the ground? Drivers know that McKenzie Marsh is abundant in wildlife and must drive with caution.

Canada Geese Crossing St. John's sideroad in Aurora

Now, about the openings in the railing along the boardwalk. Last summer when I was walking along the boardwalk, one day out of blue posts were taken out from the railing. It seemed unusual due to the regular pattern, every so many meters. I suspected that this was a ‘relief valve’ for the geese to go back to the pond. However, if you think about it, it is actually a safety issue for the parents walking with their children. Children like to look at the pond, and they try to push themselves through the railing no matter how small opening is, their feet and hands, and throw stones or sticks.

McKenzie Marsh Boardwalk in Aurora

What happened next? Well, in the fall a yellow caution tape finally showed up. Don’t you think, it is kind of too late for that? Yes, it is – I said then. With lots of hope, seeing the yellow tape, I thought that the railing will be soon fixed. Waited the winter out. Spring is here, and all we get is just another band-aid – a wooden fence on each opening. I am now very convinced that the posts were taken out deliberately for the geese to go back to the pond. Result – I will be very p@#$ed if they remove the temporarily fencing for the geese this summer.

Just A Snail in Aurora (before)

We worry about the geese, but to me it is a serious safety issue. I am sure that the geese will eventually find their way back to the pond. If it is a nesting issue, then instead of creating an inviting garden, put some stones around – or something to keep them away.

Now you can see the preferential treatment for Canada Geese – a road kill not; for a muskrat, a rabbit, a snail killed recently on the St. John’s sideroad – a road kill; for citizens – I rather not talk about it.

Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Snail

Road Kill or Road Kill Not