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In 1977 we hired our first narrowboat from Anglo Welsh at Market Harborough.From that moment our destiny was set. In 2006 we finally purchased our own brand new 57' narrowboat which we named 'Free Spirit'. Our aim is to travel the length and breadth of all the navigable rivers and canals of the UK. This will be our story as it unfolds.

Saturday 21 May 2011

Branston Goslings

The moorings on at the water park was, as I suspected, empty. We arrived about 11ish and first things first took the Woofits for a swim in the lake. On arrival back at the boat we noticed in the distance a great number of Canada geese. Then suddenly this lot appeared. I tried to count them, which as you know is almost impossible, and estimated about 40-45 goslings swimming with four of the adult geese.  

"You leave my baby's alone"
These three adults are in defence mode. Heads down driving the other geese away
.


Apparently the goslings all get mixed up, some older then others, and it seems only of a few of the adult geese end up looking after them all. How wonderful to have permanent babysitters!!! 


Gosling creche


These two were considerably younger then the rest and the parents stayed with them at all times. No doubt they  will end up in the bunch when they get older.
By 3 pm all the moorings were taken. A few late arrivals had to moor up well away from the pub and on the part of the towpath untouched by the contractors mowers and strimmers. This made interesting viewing as they attempted to leap the high foliage, rope in hand, just so they could tie up!

1 comment:

Jo Lodge said...

What a fantastic sight. Canada geese do have a bad reputation but they are wonderful at looking after their broods and others as well. It becomes a real family concern.

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