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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Snow goose: The bird is known for its white plumage and black wingtips. It is also known as the blue goose because of a blue-grey variation of its colour. The white and blue 'morphs' of the species interbreed and can create offspring of either colour

Have a gander at this amazing image - taken as 1.3million geese spectacularly take flight all at once - creating the illusion it is snowing.

The stunning display of nature was captured by photographer Mike Hollingshead as he spent 22 days observing the huge gaggle at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, in northwestern Missouri, this spring.

In one image, every inch of the landscape as far as the eye can see is packed with the white and grey birds. Another shows the sky blackened by the geese taking flight as they return to their natural summer breeding ground of central Canada.


Artificial horizon: Photographer Mike Hollingshead captures the amazing moment when up to 1.3million snow geese continue their migration at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, in northwestern Missouri


The amazing spectacle occurs when gaggles of Snow Geese converge on the Central Flyway migration route - with the national park acting as an important stopover on the 70-hour, 2,500-mile flight.

Mr Hollingshead, 35, from Blair, Nebraska, quit his job at a factory in 2004 to take up storm chasing - where photographers follow large supercells that can form destructive tornadoes.


Don't bother counting: An estimated 1.3million snow geese gather at the reserve, which is a former hunting ground and now an important stop-over during their 2,500-mile flight to their breeding grounds in Canada


But he takes time out each spring to capture a storm of a different kind - the majestic migration of these wonderful birds.

He said: 'At times it can definitely look like there is a snow shower on the horizon. Your brain can be tricked into seeing nothing but the patterns of the birds flying because it can't see anything else.


source: dailymail

By Valerie Elliott


Dinner: The goose could soon be sold in restaurants and served as an alternative to turkey for traditional Christmas dinner


The Canada goose, one of Britain’s most hated birds, could soon be served as an alternative to turkey for the traditional Christmas dinner.

Natural England – the Government’s advisers on wildlife – want the law changed to allow meat from the bird to be sold for the first time in Britain.

The birds, with their distinctive black heads, are a common sight in parks and on lakes but are seen as pests.


They can already be shot and eaten, or given as a gift to cook at home. However, it is illegal to sell them. Restaurateurs who serve them can be fined up to £5,000 and face six months jail.

Natural England will make its recommendation to the Law Commission, which is conducting a review of wildlife statutes. It is believed that the law may be changed in time for Christmas.

Thousands of the birds are killed lawfully every year to prevent them from fouling parks. The low-flying geese are also the scourge of farmers and pilots as they feed on crops and are a hazard to planes.

Many in the countryside eat the gamey bird as a roast at home and don’t understand why it is not sold.

Natural England’s Matthew Heydon said: ‘It would make sense to allow them to be sold.’ But the RSPB’s Graham Madge called it ‘a dangerous development’.

Leading cook Prue Leith said the birds would be a useful addition to menus. ‘I would slow cook the legs, cut off the breast meat, grill it and serve with teriyaki sauce.’


Natural England want the law changed to allow meat from the bird to be sold for the first time in Britain


source:dailymail

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Before: Garcia the goose had the top half of her orange beak sheared off in an accident


This farmyard goose has had a nose job after breaking off the top half of its orange beak in a freak accident.

Garcia was left with her tongue exposed after apparently becoming tangled up in a fence at her animal sanctuary.

Vets fitted a black prosthetic nose and she is back to eating as normal - even if the matt finish does make her stand out by the lake.


After: A fibreglass replica was fitted to the farmhouse goose under general anesthetic. Eventually the original will grow back and the 'false' £175 nose will be removed


There were fears the farmyard goose would have to be put down as she was left unable to fend for herself - but vets managed to create a false nose.

Bird expert Dr Alan Jones crafted the fibreglass beak before it was fitted while the animal was under general anaesthetic.

It was attached with wires which were placed in the goose's skull at the British Wildlife Centre in Newchapel, Surrey.


Back at home: Garcia with her new 'false' nose back with her friend Morgan back at the Happy Endings Animal Rescue Sanctuary


A metal framework was built for the new beak before it was filled with a fibreglass paste called Technovit.

Terry Kemp, a veterinary nurse and founder of the Happy Endings Animal Rescue Sanctuary in Hailsham, East Sussex, where Garcia lives said: 'We couldn't believe how great she looked after her nose job.

'Who would have thought you could save a goose's life with a piece of fibreglass - it's absolutely incredible. We are delighted.'

Garcia and her friend Morgan - named after actors on American police drama Criminal Minds - were taken in by Happy Endings four months ago after they had been dumped by their owner at a wildlife sanctuary.


source: dailymail