Geese seek refuge at Tatton (From Warrington Guardian)

Geese seek refuge at Tatton

CANADA geese could be seeking refuge in Tatton Park to avoid being killed.

Ornithologist Tony Usher said the birds were often at risk of being shot by landowners who consider them a pest.

"At one time of the year the birds become flightless and can get rounded up," he said.

"They know where they are safe and that might be why so many are at Tatton Park."

Digital photographs of the flock on Melchett Mere allowed Mr Usher to count the number of birds at home.

He believes a record 1,564 stopped there to relax and feed.

They have been tracked to other safe havens in Cheshire because they are accompanied by two Barnacle and two Pinkfeet geese.

Their droppings make a mess of fields and at watersides because there are so many of them.

"It's been pointed out that our winter flocks of Canada geese have become much less mobile of late and we don't see many commuting between the local waters," he said.

"I think this is true and they probably feel safer in Tatton Park because not everyone welcomes their visit."

Knutsford residents have regularly seen - and heard - flocks of Canada geese flying over the town in recent weeks.

Many commute across Cheshire, dropping in at Marbury in Northwich as well as Tatton.

Knutsford Ornithological Society adopted the bird for its logo because of its regular visits to the area.

"On a crisp winter's morning a flock of 400 geese is a super sight and sound," he said.

But not all the geese that are spotted by Knutsford birdwatchers are heading to Tatton.

Mr Usher, of Town Lane, Mobberley, said flocks of Pinkfeet that have flown from Scandinavia were crossing Knutsford at dawn.

"They look like cigarette ash spread out across the sky," he said.

"They are going over the east coast and it is something they have been doing for thousands of years."