Efforts to protect vulnerable goslings from lethal assaults by swans and seagulls have been initiated at a pond within Brighton’s Queens Park.
Witnesses have recounted distressing scenes of ducklings and goslings falling prey to territorial aggression from swans or becoming victims of hungry gulls.
Recent years have seen a concerning trend unfold at Queens Park, where the arrival of newly hatched ducklings and goslings has been marred by relentless predator attacks.
In a bid to break this cycle of predation, representatives from wildlife groups undertook a daring rescue mission on Sunday, April 21. Braving the cold waters of the pond, volunteers worked tirelessly to apprehend a family of grey lag goslings, successfully securing two fledglings. These fortunate goslings found refuge at the Swan Sanctuary in Shepperton, shielded from the perils of Queens Park.
Reflecting on the situation, volunteers expressed dismay over the recurring crisis and the lack of action from Brighton and Hove City Council. Despite their efforts, resource constraints have forced volunteer groups to suspend operations over the summer.
However, the Friends of Queens Park offer a contrasting perspective, acknowledging the complexity of the situation. Highlighting the delicate balance within the park’s ecosystem, representatives underscored the inevitability of predation in nature.
According to experts, even without swans, the survival of ducklings and goslings is far from assured, with seagulls poised to assume the role of primary predators.
In the face of adversity, optimism finds refuge in the resilience of nature’s denizens. Amidst the shadows of despair, the Friends of Queens Park find solace in the indomitable spirit of the park’s Moorhens, who seek sanctuary amidst the protective embrace of planting cages, evading the watchful gaze of predators.
Yet, amidst the divergent viewpoints and the poignant struggle for survival unfolding at Queens Park, one stark reality remains unchanged: local authorities bear no statutory obligation to intervene in the face of wildlife peril, leaving the fate of these vulnerable creatures in the hands of dedicated volunteers and the capricious whims of nature’s balance.
As the debate rages on over the fate of Queens Park’s avian inhabitants, one thing is certain: the delicate equilibrium between predator and prey continues to teeter on a knife’s edge, a testament to the enduring struggle for survival in nature’s unforgiving embrace.
