Geese guard nest outside store as shoppers gander

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Silly goose.

A Canada goose and her mate have returned to their favorite nesting spot — a large flower pot just outside the entrance of Office Depot on West Jefferson Boulevard.

Mother goose rarely leaves her eggs, appearing to be calm and content until someone gets a little too close — then she “gets mean,” according to store department manager Bryan Harz.

Father goose stays close and can be seen patrolling the parking lot. Many times he can be spotted perched directly above his family on the ledge of the store roof, conducting surveillance, Harz said.

The pair initially showed up three years ago, Harz said, and returned the following year, but there was no sign of them last year.

Last Friday around 9 a.m., the goose laid eggs in the dirt in the flowerpot. Harz is sure it’s the same geese, because the male has a limp, he said. Store staff immediately blocked off the nesting area with caution tape and shopping carts to keep spectators out of the moody fowl zone and to protect the goose, as well.

Harz is not interested in removal. Both the store’s staff and the public enjoy watching the geese, he said.