By popular demand ... Goosewatch ... from Stanwick Lakes

Well these gorgeous geese and goslings were first spotted on 18th May! They were very nervous on day 1, quickly taking to the water as soon as they spotted me (well I'm thinking it was more Millie)

Off I toodled up there again on 19th with the camera, only for them to be in hiding completely. Went without the camera on 20th, and low and behold ... who did I see!! Quickly whipped out my phone and captured these shots!







Will update more later (just edited the dates as I think I got them wrong)(edited again as they were right the first time )

This is going to be a great thread Anne-Marie, i love the photos so far.

Thanks for posting - looking forward to your updates.

Lai

Chief Goosewatcher, Thank You so much for starting this thread, it's going to be amazing I just know it. To be able to follow the family is really wonderful, I am so excited about it and grateful you have agreed to do this for us, it really is going to be a very popular thread and it's all down to you CG.
Loving the pics so far and the build up to the continuing daily lives of them all. Look forward to more news about this special family.

littlewid-x-

Brilliant AM It really will be great to see the family growing up, and it's really good of you to take the time, and trouble to let us all have a GANDER ( Sorry could'nt resisit it ) at whats happening
WS

A gander, oh dear WS!! I have to admit I did laugh though!!!

On to 21st May, parked up in the carpark as usual and headed to the smaller lake where the geese are, walked round the corner and just caught them sunning themselves on the bank!!







After these few snaps, I realised I couldn't stay with them for any longer so we carried on our walk. As we reached the other side of the lake, I could spot the little ones eating on the opposite bank, so we continued round back past the car park to where we started.

I realised very quickly that they were scared of Millie, even though she sat and stayed while i took some snaps. So I found a nice sheltered spot for her and a post to wrap her lead round so I could take some snaps without disturbing them:

The smaller and younger of the two families.

The bigger and older family certainly seemed a bit more wary and quickly headed for the water when they spotted me (maybe they are just camera shy)







(more to follow later, boss has returned)

Those are some more gorgeous photos Anne-Marie. What an amazing collection of little goslings they have and they all look so well.

I think they are Greylag Geese :study: they must be so used to people (if not Millie) as you've got some great pics.

Oh and don't encourage WS - you know what's he's like with his humour

Thanks for updating us

Lai

(boss gone for lunch)

After the family took to the water, I headed round the otherside of the small lake (more like a large fish pond) and waited for them to venture out



and they decided to head straight back into the water



to meet the other little family

They all then decided to get back out and feed together!!







Thats all for today, didn't have my camera up there over the weekend. Was all a bit rushed, they were about on both days though. I'm waiting for pictures off Mum's camera for Tuesday as she was on camera duty, so won't upload mine from yesterday until I have hers. Will be nice to have them in order.

I did mention in the other thread I think that I thought the older family had lost one gosling. However I am pleased to report all 12 were present and correct yesterday

That's great news that all 12 are still alive and well. It's also lovely to see both families together, i wonder if the goslings ever get all muddled up?

When they are marching towards the water they look so comical and focused just like kids walking crocodile to school.

Thanks for posting your photos and the updates - looking forward to the next lot.

Lai

What a really great selection of Photos AM Brilliant, it's great to see them all, as a family, and good news that there's still 12.Thanks for sharing them with us. Glad the Gander made you smile
WS

I've got a photobucket account with the photos on if anyone wanted to look

https://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/dancing_girl/Stanwick%20Lakes/

password is Annie

Those are great Anne-Marie - i love the swan with its bottom in the air

Thanks for sharing them.

Lai

Sorry can't get away from Chief Goosewatcher

Just gorgeous pictures and I love the low down on whats happening. Lai asked the same question I was wondering, do they ever get muddled up!, there are so many of them and it's lovely they all seem to get on and brilliant news that the other chick is alive and well, two good news storys today.
Your doing us proud, I just love this thread and the pictures are stunning. I am going to have a look at your photobucket ones later, thanks for posting the link.
Look forward to the next update on Goosewatch

littlewid-x-

Glad you all like them. They never seem to get confused with families. They must have a little radar. They are always in their family groups in the water. No sign of the little ones tonight which was a shame!

I'm away for the weekend now, so won't be able to get any snaps. I'll ask mum to take her camera up and to get some pictures if she sees them.

If I don't get chance to message before I hope everyone has a fantastic bank holiday weekend.

You have a lovely weekend too Anne-Marie and good to know that Chief Goosewatcher no.2 is on duty in your absence.
Have a lovely time in Newquay.

littlewid-x-

Thanks Anne-Marie have a great weekend in Newquay - and no pressure on your mum at all for more lovely photos.

Good to hear that the goslings don't all get muddled up in the confusion.

Lai

The geese have been in hiding. However, we finally found them yesterday. They have moved lake and are well away from the path around the lakes. I'm wondering if they've been spooked. Will update with some piccies asap!!

Look forward to pics later - i hope they havent been too spooked

Lai

I love this thread AM! Thanks for doing it for us.

The little ones are sweet and it sounds like you have had the run around your last few visit, keeping you on your toes!

It going to be great seeing them grow. Look forward to the next installment.

SM

Ooooo I hope they are all ok and safe and well. Look forward to your next update and pics, just loving this thread Anne-Marie.

littlewid-x-

Just saw LW message in Lets Talk, I must confess I have no pictures of our little geese since last Wednesday. I was hoping to get some of Mum's that she took on the tuesday but she's slacking. Anyway, here are the ones from 26th when I got absolutely soaked taking them!!

So worth you getting soaked I think Chief Goosewatcher gorgeous pictures, thank you for giving us a smile this evening......and tell your mum, no pressure but can she hurry up
They are just so adorable, i can't get enough of seeing them. Thanks Anne-Marie.

littlewid-x-

Now on my last couple of visits up there, I have come across another couple of families of geese. I hope they haven't scared our ones off.



Yesterday, I spied some geese in the distance, where i had last seen out little families. So i treked over there in my flip flops and shorts, through the thistles (like you do) only to fine hundreds of other geese!



However on zooming over the other side of the lake, I think I may have spied our little families. Fingers crossed! I can't get round there though to check. I'm hoping they will make a proper re-appearance soon!!