Geese nesting in Peckham Rye park

[staplemeg]

Just wondering have others noticed the pair of Canadian geese that have made a home near the Japanese Garden in the park? They have built a nest on a little island in the water, with father goose keeping a close watch from the water's edge.

Does anyone how long they have been there, and if anyone could wager a guess when their egg(s) might hatch? I love seeing them, and it would be great to learn more about them.

[Sue]

We were talking recently to a lady who said she used to be one of the gardeners in that park.

She said those geese had stolen the nesting site from another pair of birds. I think it was moorhens.

The moorhens had to start again :(

[Help-Ma-Boab]

Bloody Canadians. Coming over here, taking our nests..etc. etc. etc.

[nxjen]

I always feel sorry for the moorhens. They usually co-exist with coots who bully them dreadfully. Has anyone noticed what ugly feet coots have?

[Nigello]

At least the moorhens can fly. I have seen them go quite high into the bushes but the moorhens are nearly always on the water or the ground.

[Sue]

Help-Ma-Boab Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Bloody Canadians. Coming over here, taking our

> nests..etc. etc. etc.

:))

[Sue]

Nigello Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> At least the moorhens can fly. I have seen them go

> quite high into the bushes but the moorhens are

> nearly always on the water or the ground.

Shomething wrong here, shurely?

[Nigello]

The moorhens can fly, not the coots, I think.

[rendelharris]

Nigello Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> The moorhens can fly, not the coots, I think.

Eurasian coots are sometimes migratory, they definitely can fly quite long distances - but when settled somewhere they tend not to. Moorhens I don't know, one sees them doing little flights like pheasants, can they go further if need be?

Coots are definitely fearful bullies of other birds.

[staplemeg]

Update:

Four fluffy goslings are now exploring the area with mother and father goose!

http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj571/stapleme/b55d8185-77e5-4457-ab82-5d965f81fc38_zpsdmrmnemm.jpg

http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj571/stapleme/ad5907a8-dbcb-4d9b-a97f-4653dbbc6330_zpsahoofce2.jpg