Hereford Times Camera Club member Victor Talmaciu shared several pictures of a striking Egyptian goose at Bodenham Lakes, where it could be seen displaying some “anger issues” and fighting other birds around.
I’ve seen this beautiful Egyptian goose at Bodenham lake yesterday, but was having some anger issues,” Mr Talmaciu said.
“{It} was very aggressive with the birds around fighting them most of the time. Was not a quiet day.”
The invasive goose was seen fighting other birds at Bodenham Lakes. (Image: Victor Talmaciu)
The birds, which are described as not being “true geese”, were introduced to the UK from Africa.
Originally found in the Nile Valley and South of the Sahara, the birds were brought to the UK to be kept in wildfowl collections.
The grey and brown birds, which the RSPB said have “distinctive” dark brown eye patches and white wing patches seen while in flight, escaped into the wild after they were introduced to ornamental ponds.
The invasive goose was seen fighting other birds at Bodenham Lakes. (Image: Victor Talmaciu)
Concerns over conflict with native species have led to restrictions on keeping Egyptian geese in the UK and Europe, under the UK Invasive Alien Species Order 2019.
Describing how to identify the bird, the RSPB says: “This pale brown and grey goose is related to the Shelduck.
“Look for its distinctive dark brown eyepatches and contrasting white wing patches in flight.
“It was introduced to ornamental ponds, but escaped into the wild where it’s now successfully breeding.”