DOZENS of geese will be saved if enough money can be raised to get them off the island. About 120 greylags living at the Colin Best nature reserve at the former L’Eree aerodrome are threatening the habitat and moving into the Claire Mare reserve.

Their paddling on the reed bed is destroying it for other birds and they are overgrazing the land.

‘They started off as about 12 farmyard geese, which are breeding and doing well, but are threatening the habitat. There was talk of a cull, which no one wanted to do,’ said Animal Aid founder Sue Vidamour.

But an animal lover at a wildlife and wetlands trust in Peterborough has offered the birds a home after being approached by Animal Aid through the Pigeon Control Advisory Service, an organisation which gives information about all aspects of non-lethal bird control.

La Societe Guernesiaise, which manages the reserve, tried removing the eggs, but the number continued to increase and conservation officer Jamie Hooper started working on a solution.

But taking up the offer from the trust requires money to transport the birds to their huge new home in the Norfolk Broads, which can support them and where they will be monitored.

Some £750 is needed to rent a vehicle large enough to take the birds in humane conditions and also to cover the ferry and petrol costs.

The operation is planned to take place in August, when the birds have finished nesting and are moulting and flightless and therefore can be easily trapped.

Societe president David Le Conte said that the group was very pleased that a new home had been found for the birds.

‘The number of geese has grown to the extent whereby the area cannot support them. The most I understand it can take is only up to 20.

‘A certain number is good for grazing but when there are too many, we have to do something about it.’

A few geese will be left behind at the nature reserve, an area which Mr Le Conte said was very important to Guernsey.

‘It’s adjacent to the Claire Mare nature reserve, which is owned by the Societe, and the whole of that area including the coastline is a Ramsar site of international wetlands importance.’

The geese are mainly on the agricultural fields of the area, which features a variety of habitats such as reed beds, a large pond, saltmarsh area and a hougue.

n Anyone interested in donating money to help the birds or who wants to find out more about the situation can do so at Animal Aid’s open day on Sunday or by phoning Sue Vidamour on 07781 101052.