This alert Greylag goose patrols outside Kastellet, a fort in Copenhagen
I know, this blog is going to the birds. Having dabbled in bovines and dogs, I'm now becoming something of an expert on European waterfowl. Before you know it I'll be contributing to Wikipedia articles on ruddy ducks.
But I believe I've identified these geese I found in Copenhagen as Greylag geese, a type of goose commonly found in Northern Europe. I came across them one morning while I walked around Kastellet, a 17th century fort built to protect Copenhagen. I was struck by the behaviour of one of the geese, this one out in front, who seemed to be the guardian for the flock that were feeding along the banks of the wide moat.
His head was stuck straight up in alert position, just as I've seen from the male duck who visits my back yard frequently. It seems to be customary for one of the flock to alert the others to danger, and after I'd been shooting photos for five minutes (apparently digital cameras are not seen as threats), the geese suddenly headed for the water. I looked across and there was a dog, off lead, on the opposite bank. They knew to get out of the way, even though the dog was attached to a lead by the time they'd all regained the safety of the water.
More photos:
With the Church of St Albans, an English Anglican church, in the background.
"What do you want to know about Greylag geese, lady?"
The same group of geese, the next day, with one showing off by balancing on one leg.
