Mother Goose Nests in Quinte Mall Parking Lot: Caution Urged for Drivers

Belleville, ON – Shoppers visiting the Quinte Mall are being urged to exercise extreme caution in the parking lot outside Sport Chek, where a Canada goose has made a surprising choice for a nesting site.

The mother goose has been spotted nesting in one of the landscaped medians near the Sport Chek entrance, quietly guarding her eggs amid the constant flow of cars and pedestrians. While Canada geese are no strangers to urban environments, this particular location presents unique risks due to heavy traffic and activity.

Adding to the alert, the father goose has been seen coming and going from the nesting area, likely keeping watch and ready to defend the nest if needed. As is common with Canada geese, the male can become aggressive if he feels the nest is threatened and may appear suddenly in the path of vehicles.

Visitors to Quinte Mall are asked to:

Drive slowly and stay alert when entering or leaving the Sport Chek area

Watch for the geese and give them space

Refrain from approaching or attempting to interact with the birds

The geese are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, and interfering with the nest is prohibited by law.

Mall staff and passersby are keeping an eye on the nest, hoping for a safe and undisturbed hatching period. Until then, the best thing we can do is share the space and respect this determined pair of parents.

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