Denise >

No, not the bizarre names we’ve given to two new twin lambs!

Flo’s two goslings hatched yesterday have now been joined by three more. For now, though, they’ll stay warm and safe best at the nest.  Here, you’ll see three by Flo’s side, another on it’s mum’s back ; and there’s a fifth out of view, tucked up amongst the down over her mum’s thigh, and covered by the strong smooth (and weather-proof) flight-feathers of mum’s wing.

Look, you lot! I climbed up here all by myself! Bet you can’t!

Flo and Bert’s goslings 2017.

Gosling died pecking hole in shell – tip of bill visible

Flo and Bert’s goslings 2017. The Big Garden and Croft, Isle of Eriskay

A sixth expired pecking a hole in its shell – it may have died from exhaustion (too weak), or perhaps have got chilled (from not being sufficiently covered by Flo‘s down).

The other two eggs – there were eight in all – are missing entirely: Flo might well have realized they were duds, and pushed them out from the nest (to avoid bad eggs developing bacteria which might affect the others) : she would have realized that a gull or crow or other scavenger would soon swoop down and take the bad eggs away (and good luck to them!).

Goslings are born green-yellow, but soon turn a softer yellow. over the following weeks they gradually fade to a fawn, at which time the adult feathers (and colouring) grow through the down, and they become waterproof!