Goslings on Bingley Canal

Pictures of Geese: Greenhill Goslings

Embden Goose with Goslings

This photo journal documents the appearance of the first goslings born along Bingley canal in 2011. These original pictures are particularly endearing and are coupled with information on geese you may not know.

Five tiny balls of fluff on legs have appeared on Greenhill, Bingley. Surprisingly not from any of the nests that have been under observation, so this one must have been well hidden.
This photo journal documents the first appearance of the first goslings born along Bingley canal in 2011. These original pictures are particularly endearing and are coupled with information on geese you may not know. Five tiny balls of fluff on legs have appeared on Greenhill, Bingley. Surprisingly not from any of the nests that have been under observation, so this one must have been well hidden.
It may seem the wrong time of year to be sharing pictures of baby birds but I have method in my madness. First of all I am moving content away from Hubpages and probably more importantly I am rasing money to feed the Greenhill Geese over the winter - something I do every year. They do get fed a lot by visitors with bread but bread actually has no nutritional value for birds and they cannot digest it properly so I buy grain so for then. It's expensive! So if you can help even with £1 or $1 and if you enjoy my pictures go to my FundRazr page --> Feed Greenhill Geese.

Adult Embden Geese with Goslings

It is interesting to note that while only the female sits on the nest, and often the male is nowhere to be seen, now the goslings are here, both parents are diligent in their protection. Indeed, it has been noted that the males seem to know when the eggs are about to hatch. The adults do not feed the young, they are born able to feed themselves. They are, however, responsible for their safety.

Unlike mallard ducklings that tend to busily flit around quite far from their mother, the goslings stay very close to the parents, often right in between them. On land, where they graze most, the male is usually standing guard while the female sits and the goslings graze. Then while the male feeds the female will stand guard.

Adult Embden Geese and Goslings on Bingley Canal

These baby birds are only one or at the most two days old. Once they hatch they are immediately led to water in our case the canal . 

Copyright notice

All the images used here are taken by AnnMackieMiller, copyright 2011.

The wildlife photographs are displayed here as low resolution - that means they look blurred when blown up - to discourage theft. However, high resolution electronic copies are available for sale for use on websites and blogs - NOT for use on products - that is retained for the author's own use.

Goslings

Embden Geese Goslings on Bingley Canal

If you are interested in any of these or any other bird images, please feel free to contact me.

PHOTO GALLERY EMBDEN GEESE WITH DAY OLD GOSLINGS

There is always at least one adult on watch

Keeping watch as moorhen looks on

A quick nips gets one moving

One, Two, Three, Four ... there's one missing ...

"I'll clear the way love,"

Saving Greenhill

Greenhill Site

Greenhill is a 40 acre green field site at Micklethwaite Wharf, on the Leeds to Liverpool canal, near Bingley in West Yorkshire. It is home to a resident flock of about 70 white/grey geese who have gone wild and bred here.  In addition there are dozens of mallard ducks, Swedish geese, whie domestic ducks, moorhens, swans, Canada geese and visiting greylag geese. The ancient hedgerows are important navigation for rare continental bats that roost in the area. With easy visual access to this site from the tow path on the other side of the canal, it is a favourite of every generation who come to watch the antics, to listen to the squabbling geese and to feed them.

It is where I do most of my goose photography and it is under threat. A private developer want to put 400 houses on the site and Greenhill Action Group are fighting the planning application. As usual the developers have the upper hand and are using all the tricks at their disposal to get planning permission to destroy this peaceful place.

Bird Behaviour: Three Geese - One Nest

Nesting Geese: Three to a nest and the little one said...

three geese one nest

This is rarely seen goose behavour - here I document a goosy threesome, with the beta female laying eggs while the alpha female and male supervise.  Some of the pictures aren't great but well worth viewing. You rarely get a chance to witness an episode like this. I was lucky enough to be there just as the grey goose, the beta female was ready to lay her eggs much to the disgust of the other two. Once the eggs were laid though the alpha female was left triumphantly in charge of all their eggs. 

Near Bingley in West Yorkshire domestic geese have gone wild and now form a flock of about 60 birds. On a stretch of the Leeds to Liverpool canal, there are at least ten (10) goose nests within sight of the footpath on the opposite bank of the canal. This offers a unique opportunity for observing bird behaviour during the breeding season. This is a photo-journal of one of the two goose nests that have been observed as being used by two females and their mate.

This nest is nestled under an ancient hawthorn tree, the nest hollowed out amid the debris of an old dry-stone wall. The first nester was a pure white embden goose mated to a large white embden. The third in the party has some toulous goose blood so for convenience she is referred to as the grey goose. Officially they are ALL grey or gray geese but it is easier to describe them as white or grey for convenience. She is obviously the beta female in the threesome.

The white female laid her eggs around the 17th March. Unfortunately the nest was well enough hidden that the number of eggs could not be counted. Then, on the 29th March, the grey female laid eggs in the same nest. It remains to be seen if all the eggs hatch and when. Goose eggs incubate for 30-34 days.

This is the story of a sunny afternoon spent watching the behaviour of feral geese. Over about half an hour, the story unfolded.

The three geese involved had been seen together before which suggests they were mated. It is not unusual for geese to form threesomes which I have documented elsewhere. In this case there are two females and one male. As the act of mating was not witnessed it is impossible to say for certain the male had impregnated both females, but given that geese do not tolerate other geese near them at this time of year, except for mates, it is suggestive that he had. This was confirmed when the grey goose laid eggs in the same nest where the white female had been sitting on eggs since mid March.

The grey female plucked down from her undercarriage to further line the nest.

Source: Photography by AnnMackieMiller copyright 2011

It was evident the grey female goose was ready to lay eggs when she displayed nesting behavour: she plucked grass and twigs and threw them over her shoulder to build up the nest. When the white geese moved off toward the canal to feed, she sat on the nest and pulled the nesting material around herself. The white pair came back and in this instance got her off the nest. Lots of noisy interaction later, the white pair moved off up the field.

Now the grey goose pulled down from her undercarriage to further line the nest and started laying.

Spooked by a flock of crows coming down toward the nest, the white pair gave alarm calls and came running back down the field to the nest to find the grey goose installed.

With much haggling the large male stood on the back of the grey female, I think trying to get her off. It certainly was not mating with her for three reasons: a) they normally mate on water, b) mating is usually over in seconds, while he stayed on top of her for almost 10 minutes, c) after mating male geese cannot help displaying and crowing about it to everything within two miles.

The white female tried to hook the eggs under herself where she had settled on one edge of the nest. At this point the grey goose got up and literally dropped her last egg. When she moved off the white female took back central position and spend some time gathering all the eggs together underneath her.

The white geese decided to go off up the field leaving the grey goose at the nest.

Source: Photography by AnnMackieMiller copyright 2011

When a flock of crows headed towards the nest, the white pair came tearing down the field to it.

This time the grey goose wasn't moving, she had started to lay eggs.

A word about the wildlife photographs

Some of the photographs show camera shake as they were taken at some distance and hand held. Camera used, Nikon D90 with Nikon 70mm-300mm lens.

All the photographs used on this and other webpages are low resolution to prevent theft. High resolution electronic copies are available for a small fee for use on websites and blogs, NOT on products, these are reserved for my own use.

Contact me for more information.

PHOTO GALLERY WILD NESTING GEESE

Grey goose exhibits nesting behaviour, seen when females are about to lay eggs.

She takes advantage of the white geese feeding in the canal to make her takeover bid.

The white female comes back from the canal and persuades the grey female to move

The grey female continues to bring nesting material to the nest while the white female is sitting on her eggs.

The white male tries to move the grey one by standing on her back.

She was NOT moving

The white female tries to get to the eggs.

The male gives up while the white females tries to get on.

The white female and grey female side by side. The grey goose is still laying eggs.

The white female trying to collect the eggs under herself.

Male goose standing guard

The grey goose drops her last egg just on the edge of the nest.

The grey goose moves off while the white goose gathers the eggs together.

The one that almost got away but didn't

Triumphant the alpha female is left in charge.

Come back and visit and meet the only gosling that successfully hatched from this nest. 

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.

All the images used here on this photo journal are by AnnMackieMiller and are copyright 2011.

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

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. 

PHOTO GALLERY OF WILD GEESE NESTING

Birdwatching along Bingley Canal

Along the canal - my 6 feathered families

'what ya doing?" white mallard duck by annmackiemiller

This page takes a look back at the "Fowl Tales", a collection of photo journals featuring British birds taken by me here in Yorkshire. I particularly love wildfowl. These are all photographs of my favourite families taken last year on a small stretch of the Leeds to Liverpool canal, near Bingley, West Yorkshire, England. This is also something of an anticipatory lens, I can't wait to see what I find to photograph every year.

Some people feel the need to travel to exotic locations to photograph birds, but there is plenty to see and learn around your own neighbourhood. All you need is a camera, a notebook and a willingness to venture out in all weathers. Personally, I love to be able to tell a story with my pictures and there is no better way to do that than by observing the birds day by day. I hope you enjoy sharing my journey.

6 Wildfowl Families Along Bingley Canal

There were several waterfowl families that captured my imagination last year.

In their pecking order:

• Grumps and Lady: mute swans who had seven cygnets
• The Canada Geese who had seven goslings
• Greenhill Geese: White domestic geese with only four goslings
• Mama Mallard: a golden-coloured mallard duck who produced 15 ducklings
• Smudge the white mallard duck
• Micklethwaite Moorhens: a mating pair of moorhens at Micklethwaite Wharf who produced two broods

Mute Swans

mute swans with cygnets by annmackiemiller

Two mute swans have been breeding at this site for many years. Lady is his second mate after his first mate was killed by foxes. Grumps is probably about 17 years old and definitely believes he rules the canal. He regularly chases everything off the canal, he seems to particularly hate the Canada Geese.

7 mute swan cygnets

'Lady' the mute swan with cygnets by annmackiemiller

Swans mate for life, Grumps' first mate died and this is his new love called Lady. They had seven cygnets.

Canada Geese

Canada Geese and Goslings by annmackiemiller
Parents keep watch as the goslings feed

 Of the six visiting Canada geese on our Greenhill, there was one mating pair. They produced seven goslings who all survived. They tend to be quite aggressive but can’t stand up to the mute swan. One day in particular Grumps kept them penned in on the wooden workings of the swing bridge.


The folk who own the flats alongside the canal were fortunate to have these little gardeners keeping the grass short.

'On the water' Adult Canada goose with goslings on water

'Keeping it together' Canada Geese Goslings

Greenhill Geese: Embden Geese

'That tickles!' Embden geese with goslings

We have a resident flock of geese who live on our Greenhill- actually it is four small flocks. They are mainly white domestic geese, combining Emden and Toulouse geese, a single China goose and some hybrids that have mated with greylag geese. The gaggle started as escapees from local allotments, now gone wild. At their most there were 70. Of these only four goslings were born last year: one to one family and three to another. What was interesting was that the three chicks were cared for by three geese, mother and father and a beta female.

'follow the butt'
Goslings and adult Embden goose on water

'keep off!' Adult Embden goose protecting young

Mallard Ducks

female mallard duck by annmackiemiller

Mama Mallard is a golden-coloured mallard duck who produced 15 ducklings last year. Included in the brood was one golden chick. There is a really high mortality rate among chicks so sadly only 5 survived to adulthood. I was delighted that the little yellow duckling grew up to be a beautiful little white duck.

mallard ducklings

yellow mallard duckling

mallard ducklings

Smudge the White Mallard Duck

Smudge, mate and ducklings

White mallard ducks are fairly common and Smudge is a white duck with a dark smudge on her head. She and her mate had an early brood which they both looked after but they abandoned after about 3-4 weeks old. Incidentally they were adopted by another mother.

It is unusual for mallards to have a single partner but Smudge is the exception. Her mate is recognisable because he lacks the usual white ring around his neck.

What was interesting was that a few weeks later Smudge inserted her way into another mallard brood and eventually both females looked after the two surviving ducklings.

mallard ducklings

Smudge and her ducklings by annmackiemiller

Micklethwaite Moorhens

moorhens and nest

This was a delightful family of moorhens to watch from nesting their first brood to caring for their second. Of the first brood had eight chicks. All grew into juveniles and then one chick appeared from a second brood. The juveniles and the adults all cared for the tiny bug-eyed chick. Sadly he didn’t survive.

This family build their nest out into the canal giving me a great chance to watch them over a prolonged period.

'in the nest' adult moorhen with chicks on the nest

'Feed me Feed me' Adult moorhen with chick

I've written about these families extensively over on hubpages - you can see the photo journals and others there - AnnMackieMiller on Hubpages.

Where to find photo journals on these families

Mute Swans	Canada Geese	Greenhill Geese	Mallard Ducks	Smudge the Little White Duck	Moorhens
Grumps Swan Pictures Busking	Canada Geese Goslings	Mating Behaviour China Goose The First Goslings Watching Goslings In Flight 3 in a Bed How Geese Nest The Goose Who Can Do Canoe Rolls	Ducklings Behaving Badly The First Ducklings	& the Fat Ball The Little White Duck	Watching Moorhens Nest Building Rebuilding the Nest The First Chicks Another Moorhen Nest