Take a gander at the goose that thinks it's a swan (From Hereford Times)

A goose was spotted swimming on River Wye with unlikely pals

12:30pm Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in Local News By Lydia Johnson

AN unlikely friendship is still flourishing in Hereford.

A lone goose was first spotted with a group of swans one year ago – much to the surprise of experts.

Jay Brittain, who runs the Small Breeds Farm Park and Owl Centre near Kington, said the goose and swans were unlikely to be together for
much longer on the River Wye.

But the group has defied the odds and people have once again stopped to take a gander at the goose that wants to be a swan.

Janet Tempest, aged 71, was visiting family in Hereford when she saw the Canada goose swimming between the Old Bridge and the Victoria Bridge.

She said: “I just noticed one lone goose in the water that was following the swans and mimicking everything the swans were doing.

“It is so unusual as they would normally fight as geese live in packs. It was so strange.”

Josh Jones, manager at BirdGuides, said: “I guess it’s a case the goose is just a bit stupid and thinks it’s a swan. Canada geese are pretty widespread these days so I’d imagine there will be a flock of them not too far away.”