Biologists study decline in E. Washington geese

OLYMPIA — The Fish and Wildlife Department says biologists and volunteers will be capturing and banding up to 500 Canada geese by the end of the month in Eastern Washington. This fall and winter, hunters will be asked to report when the banded birds are killed. It’s part of a program the department hopes will explain a seven-year decline in nesting birds in parts of Eastern Washington, even as complaints about urban geese increase. The department says geese that are molting and unable to fly will be trapped and banded at Sun Lakes State Park, Sprague Lake, the Pend Oreille River and locations in Wenatchee, Chelan, Tri-Cities, Yakima and Spokane.