When I set my first steps towards becoming a birder, Greylag Geese were no longer a breeding species in The Netherlands. Thanks to SOVON who do incredible monitoring work we have been able to track their meteoric rise since that depressing low point.
Geese are now everywhere. However, according to Crane’s Law: there’s no such thing as a free lunch. For at the same time, the population of Black-tailed Godwit – the national bird – has plummeted.
So, why? Geese, like inner city hipsters, are vegetarians. Godwits need insects. “Modern” agriculture has all but eliminated biodiversity. The monotonous fields of a single species of protein-rich grass have allowed for the tiny Netherlands to be the world’s second food-exporting nation. Neonicotinoid pesticides have eliminated the remaining few insects. Result: an all-you-can-eat buffet for geese while the godwits are starving. The solution is obvious: shoot the geese. Sorry, …what…??
Why do I not see many of the birds that were in my old home’s backyard? I only moved 20 miles up the road. I no longer see titmice, nuthatches, any of the woodpeckers (flickers, downy), and even cardinal appearances are a rare treat. I do get eastern bluebirds, Carolina wrens, mourning doves, and LOTS of brown-headed cowbirds. Not a fan. I don’t ever see brown thrashers, and I don’t love them, but used to get them at my other feeder, and they are our state bird. Never see chickadees anymore, but they were already gone at the old place.Thanks for anyone who can offer advice!
Sue, did you move into open country? Maybe quite heavily altered?