The Lemon Fool

From our conservatory we are fortunate (well very fortunate) enough to be able to hear when skeins of geese go over our house.

A few minutes ago I heard them and went out for a look. A skein of about 100 Pink footed geese flew overhead with the Plough (Ursa) constellation behind them in a very clear, black, intensely cold NE Scotland night sky......STUNNING.

Then just thought, these wild birds survive without Government Winter Fuel subsidy or benefit support.......

scotview wrote:Then just thought, these wild birds survive without Government Winter Fuel subsidy or benefit support.......

Yes, they don't need to be feather-bedded

V8

scotview wrote:Then just thought, these wild birds survive without Government Winter Fuel subsidy or benefit support.......

There's no reason why they would want a cold weather subsidy since they are currently on their warm weather holidays, taking a little break from their Icelandic home. They have been munching the grass around our Loch (just south of the Campsies) - their favourite field was recently re-sown with excellent grass. Its the farmer that needs a subsidy! But I haven't seen them for a couple of days, so perhaps they have found even better grass. They fly back to Iceland without a stop, but normally not until mid April - although a favourable wind and global warming may make this happen a bit earlier. I'll keep a lookout to see if they return to the loch side.

Strangely enough when I was out walking today I saw and heard a skein of geese. I thought it was a bit late in the year but you could well be right; that they are hear until mid April. I associate them dusky and wood smoky November evenings.

Dod

A recent early morning photo of Pinkfooted Geese passing the moon, not quite in focus, doh !