A GAGGLE of geese is causing quite a stir in Glenashley and has residents in a flutter. One resident in particular, Mariet Holland said she was concerned about the safety of the geese who can be seen daily waddling in the area on the stretch between The Wash Tub on Ashley Avenue and Adrienne Avenue.
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The goose, gander and their six goslings are a regular feature and Holland said: “We have a beautiful pair of geese living in Ashley Avenue. As per usual around September our birdlife springs into action with new little babies and various migratory birds making their comeback. There were nine little fluffy goslings but unfortunately there are now only six.”
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Holland said she leaves for work around 7.15am daily and it is at that time that the couple usually take the family out to cross the busy road. “Every morning when I leave for work between 7:15am – 7:30am driving up Ashley Avenue, the family of geese cross the road during peak traffic. I’m delighted to see some cars actually stop and wait for them to cross. However, I beg the drivers that are flying down the road to please just slow down. Not only for the birds, but for the pedestrians too,” she added.
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It’s no wonder Holland is concerned about the safety of the gaggle as geese mate for life and are protective of their partners and offspring. When a goose’s mate dies, that bird will mourn in seclusion—and some geese spend the rest of their lives as widows or widowers, refusing to mate again. Holland said that most vehicles do not stop at the Ashley Avenue stop sign and she feared that a disaster was imminent if drivers were not cautious.
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