There's a goose, loose aboot this hoose

 

My Facebook memories tell me this pair turned up around the same time last year. How a year has flown.  Obviously I cant be sure these are the same geese, and if pressed I'd probably lean toward them being a different pair as they are nowhere near as antsy as the pair we hosted last year, unless they mellowed.  I mean, it's been a hell of a year, who knows?

They have been visiting on an off for a week or so now.  Egwina and Duncan are reasonably happy in their company.  Last years pair were a little dominant over food but the newbies, christened Maverick and Goose, seem happy to wait for the ducks to have their fill before tucking in.

As it's now clearly spring the daffs are out and the mating season is in full swing.  At one point last week we had around six geese each slightly angrier than the last.  The resulting scrap sent tidal waves across the pond and the ducks fleeing for the bank to keep out of the way.  Meanwhile Duncans attempts to actually drown a rival for Egwina's affections only ended when Steve stood on the bank yelling at him and shaking the food tin.  It would seem Duncan prioritises his evening meal over murdering his rivals.  Even Steve admits he'd never envisaged spending weekends breaking up duck fights.Today all is reasonably peaceful.  I did think Egwina was starting to nest but she's out and about today as normal so clearly not.

I've come to somewhat of a standstill now.  The weather isn't great and I need to get some new fencing up, none of which can be done until I get a dry day.  I have a list of a few plants to pick up and put in but again, every day seems to be rain at the moment.  So much to do out there and i'm itching to be back out in the fresh air rather than staring longingly through the front window.

Maybe next week...

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