Call for motorists to slow down on Scalby road after 'Wonky Wing' goose killed

We live on Barmoor Lane, Scalby, close to the duck pond that has become a popular stopping place for walkers getting their lockdown exercise in.
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It has always been popular with families with small children who love to feed the ducks and geese.

So several years ago, one of the young gosling developed a condition called angel wing, I’m not sure of the details but it is caused by young geese eating too much bread causing I think a vitamin deficiency. The result of this condition is the wings do not develop correctly and the affected birds are never able to fly.

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The bird in question will be well known to anyone who visit the Barmoor Lane duck pond regularly.

Drivers carefully negotiate around some geese.Drivers carefully negotiate around some geese.
Drivers carefully negotiate around some geese.

She has been a permanent resident of the pond for I think about seven years now.

She would spend lonely winters as the only Canada Goose at the pond and in summer would often be on the wrong end of aggressive behaviour of visiting Canada Geese.

For the most part of her life she has been on her own, however miraculously last year she found a mate and they had two healthy goslings.

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She was an attentive mum and the condition was not passed on and her two offspring have now left the pond.

Warning to drivers at Scalby duck pond.
203897eWarning to drivers at Scalby duck pond.
203897e
Warning to drivers at Scalby duck pond. 203897e

Her partner, despite being able to fly, has not left the area.

Living across the road from the pond, the goose in question was known as Wonky Wing in our house – we were all pleased when she finally found a partner and had a family!

Unfortunately this is where the story takes a turn for the worse - Wonky Wing was knocked over and killed.

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I don’t know what happened but her body was seen at the top of the road near to the junction with Scalby Road, about 100m away from the pond.

She never really left the general pond area so her body was dumped there or was dragged there in the accident.

It has been very sad to see a well-known member of the wildlife community lose its life in this way, but also highlights the fact that many drivers speed down Barmoor Lane that is a 30 limit until it leaves Scalby village.

Cars, trucks and sometimes farm vehicles have been known to drive past the pond above the speed limit, aside from the local wild life, there are often small children at the pond and I have witnessed them walking on to the road.

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Recent events have been upsetting but of course it highlights the potential dangers to pedestrians in the area – perhaps the signage could be looked at or just highlighting the issue will make drivers slow down protecting both the public and wildlife in the area.

Jeremy Scott

Barmoor Lane, Scalby

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