Nothing poultry about sign warning of geese crossing
A SIGN warning islanders about geese crossing the road at L’Ancresse has been installed after calls to the police.
Poultry cannot be grazed on the common between June and September, but, when they can, the gaggle has been causing crossing problems with talks now under way about the potential of herding them across the road.
The sign has been installed on the road near Vale Church by the Vale Commons Council.
Council president Peter Blake said it had decided to install the sign while some other work was being carried out.
‘It went in when we had a digger putting back stones, which had been knocked out by cars,’ he said.
‘While the digger was there it seemed like the ideal time.’
However, the new sign has stirred up some strong feelings.
The geese – which are kept in a field on the eastern side of the road – are often seen crossing to the common on the other side to graze.
Mr Blake said the new sign came about after they talked to the States vet.
‘He asked my chief ranger if it was possible to put a sign up, because people had been calling the police about the geese crossing the road,’ he said.
‘He was happy for them to be on the common, as were we.
‘He wanted a sign to warn people and let them know the geese were there.
‘It [the sign] has caused consternation with some people and is a laugh for others.’
It is understood the geese have been causing some problems for neighbours in the area and a Guernsey Police spokesman confirmed that words of advice had been given to the geese’s owner.
The owner of the geese declined to speak to the Guernsey Press.
Mr Blake said the council was working with the police and the owner to work out a solution.
One option being looked at was for the owner to herd the animals across the road, so they were not tempted into nearby gardens.
Mr Blake said the owner was within his rights to graze the birds on the common.
However, under a commons ordinance, poultry are not allowed to graze on the common between June and September, which is why the birds are currently being kept in their pen.
Mr Blake said he hoped a solution could be found before the autumn.
