The month and year end with a contrast: a goshawk and a goose.
The goshawk is an opportunistic predator that takes small mammals and birds often on the edge of forests. Its name means goose hawk, and apparently it will go after geese. I see a goshawk perhaps once a year.
A goshawk may be uncommon, but a goose is not. It is so common as to be almost boring — except for one leucistic female. Her lack of a pigmented crown and nape makes her identifiable. She is an individual and clearly deserves a name. How about Lucy? It is for leucistic (making her full name, Lucy Goosey, chuckle). When seen first in March 2012, Lucy already had a mate so she was probably hatched two or three years earlier. She was seen with chicks in June 2014. Canada Geese mate for life and can live for two dozen years. As Lucy is now five or six years old, there may be many more years of Lucy watching — as long as she avoids our local goshawk.
Awesome post, Alistair. You have brought individuality and appreciation to the species that people love to ignore or dismiss! How cool that you get to watch this female in her home.
Wonderful and Too Funny!
Thank you Alistair for another incredible year. Your unique talents are very much appreciated!
The Best to You in 2016.
Jeanine