I don't have any photos, I regret to say. The skirmishes happen so quickly that I don't have time to get my camera. They often break out after dark, too. It's very frustrating. And when the fighters fly over, we just keep our heads down, hoping they don't bomb the boat. Getting to sleep at night's not easy. The row is unbelievable. We managed to catch some shut-eye last night during a lull in the combat, but we were awoken again before dawn to the same, dreadful sound of conflict.
I am referring, of course, to geese. An army of about 30 Canada Geese, and a much smaller platoon of around 6 Greylags.
 |
| commons.wikipedia.org |
 |
| eastsussexbirding.co.uk |
It all started a couple of days ago, and the confrontations always follow the same pattern. The Canadian mob land in the marina pound, noisy as always. Some time later, the Greylags land behind them, and a melée ensues. Typically, there's a spat between an individual from each side, which soon turns from vocal to physical, with the rest of them gathered around, cheering their mate on. The two look as if they're trying to drown each other or simply peck the other to death, and sometimes the violence spreads through the crowd, and other pairs get embroiled in the moment, caught up in the frenzy.
Then suddenly, as if in response to a command from their general, the Canadians take off as one, sounding their war-cry as they rise in formation. It's then that the boats get bombed. And I washed ours today! They soar off into the distance, gather more closely together, wheel around in a half-mile diameter circle and return to the battlefield, diving in behind the Greylags just as the Greylags had first attacked them.
Again, the armies' respective champions engage in battle. Again, others take on the nearest enemy, and then this time it's the turn of the Greylags to take off, pursued down the marina by a small number of Canadians before take-off.
The Canada gaggle shake themselves down, calling out from one to another, calming down slowly. And then a peace settles on the water. The geese wait, still, silent.
Meanwhile, the Greylag forces are regrouping, gaining height, circling, re-arming, preparing...
