Sad loss of a gallant gander

[Suzie]

Hi (again) Michael,

I know that this will be of no consolation to you but when Boss was killed - it took until the next day to find any remains and they were well hidden - very few feathers at all. I have no doubt that this was a fox - Boss was HUGE and he would have been a challenge to any predator.

I just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you at this dreadful time for you.... it is awful not actually knowing what and how this happened ,,, we are in much the same environment as you here - any noise is heard quickly and we also have GSD's here that alert us to any predators - sadly at the time of the demise of Boss we ignored the warnings from the dogs, now we listen intently to any sign of potential trouble.

I can remember Wallace Arnold Coaches! That was amazing to hear your comments on the telephone exchange being manual only 15 years ago - nostalgia eh? They were better times in some ways too!!!!

All the best

Suzie

 

[nannysmith]

Another "gallant gander" is missing; this goose family has raised at our pond for 5 years or more. The gander and goose return each year with the goslings for the previous year. Eventually, the gander chases away any goslings that hang around, and the goose lays 7 incubates her eggs. Both parents care for the goslings and do such an amazing job. This gander is awesome. He is the ideal parent, and I am fascinated by his parenting and husband skills. A few days ago the entire brook moved up to a neighbor's pond. Yesterday, the goose returned with the goslings, but the gander has not returned. I am totally heart broken and still praying for his return. The goose family truly misses and mourns him. They only lie around the pond very subdued...nearly motionless. I have not seen them eat at all in 2 days....neither the goose or the 5 goslings.
My question is: Will they be okay? Also, will they return next year if the gander does not lead them back? I watch this family a lot through the binoculars so as not to disturb them. Geese are such close-knit families, & their hierarchy is exemplary for the world. I toast this "gallant gander" and hope & pray he is okay and will return to us. Such a horrible loss if he is gone. Don't know how the goose could ever replace him. My heart is totally broken!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Another "gallant gander" is missing; this goose family has raised at our pond for 5 years or more. The gander and goose return each year with the goslings for the previous year. Eventually, the gander chases away any goslings that hang around, and the goose lays 7 incubates her eggs. Both parents care for the goslings and do such an amazing job. This gander is awesome. He is the ideal parent, and I am fascinated by his parenting and husband skills. A few days ago the entire brook moved up to a neighbor's pond. Yesterday, the goose returned with the goslings, but the gander has not returned. I am totally heart broken and still praying for his return. The goose family truly misses and mourns him. They only lie around the pond very subdued...nearly motionless. I have not seen them eat at all in 2 days....neither the goose or the 5 goslings.
My question is: Will they be okay? Also, will they return next year if the gander does not lead them back? I watch this family a lot through the binoculars so as not to disturb them. Geese are such close-knit families, & their hierarchy is exemplary for the world. I toast this "gallant gander" and hope & pray he is okay and will return to us. Such a horrible loss if he is gone. Don't know how the goose could ever replace him. My heart is totally broken!

Welcome to BYC

I'd say something must have happened to him I really don't think he'd up and leave his family. He may have died defending his family . I hope that isn't the case but I just cannot see him leaving them. It really takes 2 to raise them Mama is going to have her work cut out for her. Maybe if he is gone she will meet up with another mate eventually and whether they come back I don't know but I would think her off spring would since that is where they hatched.

We have a mated pair that come every year to an island in our MT River last year they hatched 6 gosling, this year a week before due date we had heavy rain and all the eggs got washed away. It's amazing how attached we get to them even from a distance.