Geese solve climate change issue

Grass is very nutritious for pink-footed geese

Thousands of geese have solved a climate change headache for one of Scotland's turf growers in Fife.

Duncan Forbes has noticed his grass has, unusually, been growing throughout the winter at his Loch Leven farm, which he blames on climate change.

He has been unable to cut the grass because heavy machinery ruins ground in the winter as it is soft and muddy.

Now he has found the answer as lighter pink-footed geese have been feeding on the fresh grass and keeping it short.

'Flying sheep'

The farm is just across the loch from the RSPB Vane Farm nature reserve, which welcomes up to 22,000 Pink-Footed geese every year, as well as anything between 500 and 1,000 of their Greylag cousins.

Speaking from Kinnesswood Farm, Mr Forbes said: "Grass growth is still going on in winter, but there's no way we can touch it, especially as we've had so much rain lately.

"The geese usually arrive at dawn, and it's quite incredible to watch.

"They munch away on the grass but they seldom cause damage, although it would be helpful if they'd learn to walk up and down in straight lines.

"Geese are grazing animals, like flying sheep really."