Geese can handle a little drama in their day

Wexford has two claims to fame: A world-class opera festival and a renowned nature reserve. But is there a conflict of interest between these institutions? A paper in the current edition of Irish Birds examines the impact of the festival’s firework display on geese at the reserve. In enjoying two operas at the recent festival, was I supporting something that harmed the birds? Perish the thought.

As a famine-relief measure in the 1840s, ‘slob-lands’ were walled off from Wexford Harbour. The wet farmland, protected by Dutch-polder-style dykes, attracts birds. Over 250 species have been recorded, but pride of place goes to white-fronted geese from Greenland. The slobs are the winter home of a third of the world population of the sub-species. Up to 8,000 geese feed on grasslands by day and roost on banks at the mouth of the harbour at night.