Aggression on the lake

Mum, Dad and four Goslings, plus The Swan!

Sunday 17th May 2015

Sat in the cafe this afternoon at a peaceful Peasholm Park, Scarborough, when I heard and saw such a commotion. Beyond the fence and stones in the picture is a wooden board that runs around the lake, to prevent the rowing boats from hitting the bank. One of the little goslings had got trapped between the board and the stones and could not get out of the water. The parents were trying to get it out, but couldn't. The Swan (in picture) was lurking at the other side of the lake and sensed the gosling in distress. It made a bee-line for the stranded gosling and despite hissing from the parents, it grabbed the gosling and tossed it in the air. A passer-by ran to the bank and started waving his coat at the swan. The parent geese both jumped in the water and attacked the swan, which reared up at them. A second passer-by scooped the gosling out of the water and put it on the grass. The swan was still intent on 'getting a gosling' and followed them around the park. The geese sensibly kept out of the water, while the swan shadowed them from the lake. It continued like this for about fifteen minutes, then the swan gave up. What chance all four make it to adulthood?