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

Oooooo didn't realis you were posting them as well, hundreds of geese but I am so pleased you found our original families and so hoping they make another appearance soon. They must all kind of get along though to live in such close proximity of each other, hers hoping you get to see them really soon......and thanks for trecking in the thistles in your flip flops and shorts......thats why we made you Chief Goosewatcher.......real determination

littlewid-x-

Wonderful update and photos Anne-Marie - thanks. And so worth it in flips flops and shorts well done you

Lai

THE GEESE ARE BACK!!!!

And guess who didn't have her camera I also forgot my phone as well, but borrowed my dad's on my way. I will wait for him to send me the pictures

We have a full quota of goslings still plus they have another family with them that has 3 babies!!

Brilliant news Anne-Marie and typical that they are back and you didnt have your camera

Look forward to seeing the photos later, and great news that there are more goslings.

Lai

Thats really good news AM. Glad you found them, and they are all OK. Shame about the camera, I bet you could have kicked yourself
WS

Well its just typical isn't it! Haven't seen them since 26th May! Decided not to take the camera because the sky was looking very ominous ... hmffff! Camera is coming out whatever the weather tonight!!

Blinking geese are back in hiding! Typical. Camera shy lot.

However one of the swans definately has a newly hatched cygnet. Might do swan watch as well :)

Swan watch would be great - as for the Geese and the goslings it's always the way hopefully they'll come out of hiding soon.

Lai

So glad they are all there Anne-Marie and all cygnets are present and correct, just wonderful.....shame they went into hiding.....don't they know they are stars of wildaboutanimals....silly lot.

Swan watch.......Oh yes please......you put yourself up for that one....nicely done Anne-Marie, look forward to the pics when you have time to post them.

littlewid-x-

Not very good pics I'm afraid but this was from the last sighting of our geese families on 9th June.

As you can see we have an extra family in there

Still lovely to see them and great that there's another family

thanks for posting

Lai

Never mind the quality it's the quantity that counts, and your keeping us updatd on all the families which is great
Thanks AM
WS

Goosewatch returns!!!

Three families, all present and correct!!

Family with 7 babies!!



Family with 12 babies!


New family with 3 babies!








Plus a little video! I hope it works!!

They really have grown up so much!! I'm not sure how much longer they will stay with Mum and Dad! They are almost the same size and colouring is now almost identical! It really has been a pleasure to follow them!! And I feel so lucky to have been able to do so, and to finally see them again when I have the camera!!!

Thank you to everyone for suggesting Goosewatch!!!

No it's a big Thank You to you Anne-Marie for doing it, you have been brilliant.

I am so pleased you managed to capture them and another little family as well and the video was lovely to see, just clicked the picture and up came the video, just brilliant. I will miss these little guys when they leave mum and dad, your right, they have grown haven't they.

Thanks Anne-Marie

littlewid-x-

Wonderful to see all those little goslings - thanks so much for all the photos Anne-Marie.

Lai

The geese were once again about yesterday, although sadly one of them has a bad leg and really struggled to get down to the water. So sad, I hope it gets better!!





Another video

Boy they have gotten really big AM and so many of they too.

I love the video clips you are getting really techy. Brilliant!

Wonder when they will become independent of mum and dad?

SM

It must be soon because they are nearly the same size, in fact when it comes to counting them its hard to tell them apart from Mum and Dad sometimes. I think I'll go look that one up.

In the UK, greylag geese breed from the beginning of April to May, laying usually 5 – 8 eggs in a large nest amongst floating vegetation or hidden in reeds. The incubation period is about 28 days and, unlike many species of waterfowl, the male goose or gander stays with the family group. Geese, in fact, have a more cohesive family unit than ducks and both parents guard the goslings against attacks from other birds or predatory mammals. The greylag family continues to remain together throughout the year and will migrate from their wintering grounds as a group within a larger flock. Only when the adult birds are ready to establish a new breeding territory will the gander drive off the previous year’s young birds.

Geese are primarily grazing birds, although they also take grain, root crops and leafy vegetation. Geese have relatively short bills, and prefer pasture or meadows that are grazed by cattle or sheep. A flock of geese will work their away across the fields, nibbling the more nutritious growing shoots of the grass or cereal crop. Grass, by itself, is not particularly high in nutrients, and geese have to eat almost continuously in order to gain any nourishment from it. To allow these bulky birds to be able to take-off in an emergency, they process this grass at a remarkable rate. The birds defecate almost continuously whilst grazing so that their gut is not weighed down with food and they can still make a quick getaway if danger threatens. http://www.arkive.org/greylag-goose/anser-anser/info.html

I tell you what, the do defecate. the amount of goose poo i see is unbelievable!! Ewwww!

Thanks for that information AM it's great to learn knew things about the animlas we see. great photos to, and the Video was Brill, and there's you saying your no good at Techy stuff.
WS

Just watched the video clip - sorry missed that before. Wonderful Goosewatch - thanks Anne-Marie.

Lai

Thank you again for the wonderful photo's Anne-Marie and another little video, great stuff, chief Goose watcher.
I do hope the Goose with the bad leg is ok, hopefully it's only a little strain or something and nothing serious.
Also thanks for all the info on the Geese, that was a good read, I love reading and learning about all the various animals and that was great.

littlewid-x-

Your photos are really nice Anne-Marie, this looks a really nice place for them to be. I like your page.

Thank you Sambuka, I have some more updates! Although I'm still uploading so I shall post on here later.