Loonur.com

While driving around Lime Kiln Park in Grafton, one or our favorite parks in Wisconsin, we came upon a goose on the side of the road. I slowed down to a crawl. The goose started walking toward the car with it’s head low and it’s neck curled, he made a run at my car! He opened his mouth and almost tried to bite my car! As I inched along he kept walking away and back again, each time coming very close to hitting the tire. I finally got by him and he made one more lunge, hitting the back quarter panel behind the left-rear tire. I checked through my rear-view mirror, he was alright. Now this park is small and the only road is dead-end. So we had to turn around and run the gauntlet again. There he was, waiting for us as we came back up the slight hill.

For the next 5 minutes, he made several runs at the front tires, each time lowering his head, curling his neck and opening his mouth. We could not see another goose or anything he/she was protecting.

The river was running fast due to several days of rain, which is what brought us to the park.  We went back a few days later and we saw a goose near the spot of the attack, but his/she was closer to the river, probably near the nest.

This is the first year I’ve watched geese jockey for position and it’s been very fascinating.  Usually, there are too many geese and their numerous droppings make for some very messy areas.  I thought they were just a nuisance, but they have a way about them that’s fun to watch and hey, I’m just a birder from Wisconsin!