Welcome to Field Notes — the new blog from Chesapeake Goose Control.
This is where we'll share firsthand observations from our daily work managing Canada geese throughout Maryland: recent goose activity, changes in behavior, seasonal developments, and occasional company news. Our goal is to keep property managers, clients, and anyone interested in goose management informed about what's actually happening in the field, right now.
Our quarterly newsletter will take the longer view — broader seasonal trends and what to expect in the months ahead. Field Notes is the current conditions report: what we're seeing on the ground, as we see it.
We'll publish regularly, with extra posts whenever changing conditions or noteworthy developments warrant them.
September Field Report: Goose Activity on the Rise
September started quiet across Maryland, which is fairly typical for this time of year. As the month went on, though, we started seeing an uptick in Canada goose activity — especially toward the end of the month.
Right now we're still dealing mainly with resident Canada geese, the birds that stay in our area year-round. That starts to change as we move deeper into October. Migrating geese typically begin arriving in late October, with numbers building through November — though the exact timing shifts year to year depending on weather and temperatures farther north.
As cooler weather settles in, property managers should expect noticeably more goose activity than the quieter weeks of early fall. We'll be watching it closely and sharing what we see as the fall migration gets underway.
Company News: Remembering Jim and Thor
September brought sad news for the Chesapeake Goose Control family — we said goodbye to two of our beloved retired border collies, Jim and Thor.
Jim passed in late September, just shy of his 15th birthday. Over his long career he worked just about every account we have. He was an exceptional working dog who retired at 12, trading long days chasing geese for the good life: wandering the farm, making his rounds through the office as our unofficial mascot, and generally enjoying everything he'd earned.
Jim
Just three weeks later, we lost Thor at nearly 13. Thor was one of the few dogs we raised and trained ourselves from a puppy, and he grew into an outstanding working dog — an important part of the team until his retirement just over a year ago. After that, he joined Jim in the slower pace of farm life: long days outside, sunshine, and plenty of well-earned naps.
Thor
Both were wonderful working dogs, loyal companions, and cherished members of our family. We're grateful for the years we had with them. They'll be deeply missed.
Plus: Our New Quarterly Newsletter
Along with Field Notes, we're launching a quarterly newsletter with a broader look at each season — goose behavior, what property managers can expect, and the challenges each season brings. Between the two, we'll keep you covered from every angle.
Want to stay up to date? Subscribe to Field Notes and you'll get our latest field updates by email.
Thanks for following along,
The Chesapeake Goose Control Team
