National Trust removes geese from orchards after wild animal attacks (From This is The West Country)

National Trust removes geese from orchards after wild animal attacks

5:00pm Wednesday 14th October 2009 in News By Steve Sowden

THE National Trust has had to rehome the famous grazing geese from its property in Tintinhull because of three days of sustained attacks by a wild animal.

The charity introduced the geese as goslings in May to graze the orchards, and later in the summer they were joined by six Indian runner ducks rehomed from a local school.

But Lottie Allen, head gardener of the gardens at Montacute House and Tintinhull, said: "We’re not sure if it’s a wild dog, badger or fox but every attempt we’ve made to stop them after each attack has failed - they seem to find another way in.

"In the latest attack several of the ducks were attacked, and we’re now down to just six of the original geese.

“We’ve had to take the tough decision to find them new homes while we look at how we secure the orchard, and consider introducing more next year, if it can be made safer.”

The gaggles have become real favourites with visitors and the Trust’s garden teams. Since they were introduced, Tintinhull has received a record number of visitors – increasing by 75 per cent this year on last.

“The children adore them, and adults too," added Lottie. "Families have been telling us that unlike wildlife, which can be a bit hit and miss on whether you see them, turning up and knowing the geese and ducks will be there has been a real treat."

They have also had a great impact on the orchards. The apple harvest is underway across the charity’s South Somerset properties and at Tintinhull more cider apples than ever have been collected.

Lottie said: "Apples harvested for cider production are picked from the ground – when apples fall the sugar levels are at their optimum, kick starting the fermentation process needed for cider making.

"Normally you’d loose scores in the long grass and they’d be rotten by the time they’re discovered. But this year, we’ve collected more fallers than ever – and that’s after just one season of the geese."

Over winter the team will look at ways to make the orchard more secure and consider if they can re-start the project in 2010.