Greylag Geese

I marvel at the night-time flying skills of these birds. I often hear their calls during the hours of complete darkness. They don't seem phased by the absence of light as they fly overhead to their destination.

Some people are glad to see the back of greylag geese because of the amount of damage they cause to crops. I copied this from SNH site:

Licences to Kill Resident Greylag Geese 


1. Part I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 deals with the protection of birds, animals and plants. Among other things it implements the EU Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds (79/409/EEC). 

2. It is illegal to shoot resident greylag geese during the close season (from 1 February to 31 August or from 21 February to 31 August if below the high water mark) unless you have a licence to shoot these species as part of an overall scaring regime to stop large flocks of these birds damaging agricultural crops like cereals, vegetables and grass. 

3. Scottish Natural Heritage issues licences to shoot resident greylag geese, however a licence does not convey shooting rights. A licence is normally issued to the occupier of the land where the crops are at risk but, if the land is rented and the tenant does not have the shooting rights, a licence can be issued to the landlord. A licence cannot be issued to both the landlord and the tenant of the same piece of land.