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| Happy to be hatched in Cleethorpes - two of the goslings |
THERE have been plenty of admirers for Cleethorpes' newest tourist attraction - the 17 barnacle geese goslings at the town's boating lake.
Over the weekend, dozens of fans have been watching and photographing the delightful fluff grenades as they nibble the grass or try out their swimming skills.
The colony of 100 or so semi-wild barnacle geese is thought to be the largest in Eastern England - possibly in the whole of the UK.
Truly wild birds breed on steep-sided slopes on Arctic coasts and islands, flying to Scotland in winter.
It is not known when captive birds were first introduced to Cleethorpes, but they have achieved a stable population of about 100 adults, most of which are non-breeders.
Over successive generations, the migratory instinct has been bred out of the colony.
Though their wings are unclipped and they are able to fly freely, they seldom venture more than a mile or two, with Cleethorpes Golf Course providing a particularly favoured alternative habitat.
They are plucky birds - able to hold their own against the larger and more plentiful grey lag geese with which they share the boating lake.
The Grimsby News says: It is good to see both the goslings and so many people of all ages admiring them. In their own way, the fluffy little birds are as enchanting as the much-publicised autumn seal pups at Donna Nook. This colony of barnacle geese is almost certainly unique in its size. Perhaps North East Lincolnshire Council misses a trick in not promoting the all-year attraction of the borough's rich and varied birdlife. It is not as up to speed as other local authorities. As has been suggested before, perhaps it could start by renaming this venue Cleethorpes Boating Lake and Ornamental Waterfowl Gardens.
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