British Birds: How Geese Nest in the Wild: Domestic Geese Gone Wild

Domestic Geese Gone Wild

Embden Goose on nest

Near Micklethwaite Wharf on the Leeds to Liverpool canal, in Yorkshire, England, a flock of geese flourish. The original geese were white (gray) domestic geese that escaped from local allotments. Over the years the flock has grown and now numbers about 60 birds. Last year there were only five (5) live goslings born on what locals call the Greenhill.

Interestingly, this year, the flock has split in two. Half stay on the Greenhill while the rest have taken over a field further up the canal. This field is not far from their original site. What is heartening is that there are a lot more nest being built along the canal this year.

In sight of the tow path, the footpath that runs along the opposite bank of the canal from the geese, there are at least ten (10) nests. Only one is obvious on the Greenhill having been built under an ancient hawthorn tree. This is not to say there are not other nests out of sight.

The remainder spread along the side of the canal from the swing bridge at Micklethwaite Wharf to a small weir (an old run-off) about a mile away.

The presence and proximity of the nests provide a unique opportunity to observe nesting behaviour of domestic geese gone wild.

A Typical Goose Nest

nesting Embden goose

Geese are not particularly skilled nest builders. Before laying, the hen will scratch out a hollow, usually near water since the goslings need to get to water soon after birth. The nest is basically the shape and size of her underbelly and she lines it with down plucked from her under carriage. Hence the large amount of down you see floating around the areas where geese nest. Something gratefully harvested by smaller birds for nesting material.

nesting Embden goose

After she lays the eggs, which she does while the gander keeps guard, she will build up the nest with twigs and grass around her. Typically you see them picking the material up, throwing it over their back then sitting on the nest and gathering it around them. Presumably this is for further protection and containment for the eggs and young chicks when they hatch.

How to spot a goose about to lay eggs

male goose guards female on the nest

Nesting behaviour becomes evident when the female is ready to lay her eggs. The male takes no part in the nest building or indeed of sitting on the eggs. His role is limited to protection: the male will stand guard while she is laying and will chase off all comers who come near.

What you will notice first is the hen picking up grass and twigs and throwing them over her back, almost in a circle. She will then squat down, creating a hollow and pull the debris around her. After this she will pluck down from her underbelly to line the nest.

She will then make a lot of noise to get the male to come stand guard if he isn't already there - they are noisy characters.

male goose guards female on the nest

"Just Checking"!

A note about the geese n Greenhill

Most of the geese here are Embden geese, white domestic geese of the 'grey' goose family. In the flock there are also Toulous geese, which have more brown in them and are much larger. Over time there has been much cross-breeding between these two types of domestic geese as well as wild geese. Several show signs of having greylag in their DNA. I believe there are also some Toulous Geese and at least one China Goose. It all makes for some very interesting combinations of colours and feathers and makes it even more exciting to watch for the new goslings.

The first goose nest

Embden Goose with Eggs

The first eggs to be laid this year were along near the weir, under a tree. The parents were two pure white Embden geese, the gander standing guard and nipping at her neck and 'encouraging' her every time she laid an egg. They were laid on the 14th March 2011 in a rather precarious position right on the bank. Indeed, one egg almost landed in the canal.

The next day it became evident that these two were actually part of a threesome, something that is not uncommon and which I have documented elsewhere. The 'third' was a pretty little grey companion that clearly had greylag ancestory. The first clue that they were a threesome was when the male came down to the nest when called by the female. They graze in a field high above the canal and one could clearly hear him answering to each of the female's calls as well as being able to see him racing along the field to get down. With him came the grey companion.

Embden Goose with Eggs

Embden Goose on nest with eggs

Embden Goose on nest

Since then I have seen all three together and seen the male and little grey companion in several 'greeting' displays. The little grey goose turned out to be female, but that is a story for another day.

In total she laid nine (9) eggs that day. The next day she had clearly recovered the wayward egg and appeared diligent in sitting on them and in turning them.

Unfortunately, since then, this nest has not been well attended. All three geese continue to protect it by chasing away everything that comes near, but neither of the females is sitting on the eggs much. It is unlikely any of the eggs will hatch given that they have been left exposed too often and too long. Perhaps this was their first breeding season and this is simply inexperience.

In actually fact, these eggs never hatched.