Ainsdale Goose Rescue

 

What started out as a brief walk in the pinewoods ended in an unexpected eco-rescue.

We stumbled across a young and clearly confused Greylag Goose on the woodland track, behind RAF Woodvale. A buzzard had also swooped in and was watching closely from a pine branch. 

At first, we thought the goose was injured. However, on approaching it the bird hissed defensively. I said to my wife Cath, “OK, let’s move away”. However, we soon discovered that we were being followed by our new-found waddling friend.

 

I got the impression that the bird was dehydrated and that it was virtually asking us for help. Therefore, I made a small hollow in the gravel track, and we poured out the remaining half pint of water left in our bottle. Immediately the goose came closer and drunk the water like there was no tomorrow. Our new pal was obviously desperate for a drink.

After the water was gone, we slowly wandered off with the little goose in tow. No way did it want to lose sight of us and get left behind.

We unsuccessfully asked several cyclists passing by for more water but eventually one kind rider actually rode off fast and came back with more water. This helped to quicken up the pace a little, as we headed back to the nearest lake.

All in all, we stopped several times so the goose could catch up and had to protect it from a few curious dogs, which it hissed at. By this time a kind hearted lady had joined the three of us and we walked along together. Amusingly, she had initially thought that the goose was an unusual pet we had brought along, as it was so eager to stay close to us. 

We rang Jason our youngest son and he arrived some ten minutes later with more water, which the goose swiftly lapped up.  

Mission Completed

Eventually we all arrived at the little lake. The bird obviously sensed the water because it was almost running as we got to about 100 yards from the pond. It was satisfying to watch the goose happily waddle into the cool, safe, waters.

The epic Ainsdale goose trek took about 50 minutes from start to finish.  It was a bit of a mystery how the young bird had ended up so disorientated, and far from water.