Life at Gairloch Gardens

There is always something new to see no matter how often I go to the Gardens. Gulls, geese, ducks, and swans have made it their home, and there are just enough of them to make it pleasant.

Gulls live along the quays, fly and scoop over the water, and at times appear to be the first level of 'defense' for the area as they perch themselves on the small quays.



The geese are usually either in the lake or in the largest pond in the Gardens. The pond area seems to be reseved for 'families' where the little ones are still to young to venture out into the lake. Geese families swim together as they teach their young. The parents often bracket them for protection.

And then we have the swans. There are only two present and they remain mostly in the stream area. They spend their day on the lake and come to the stream to relax and clean their feathers.

What I enjoy the most is watching families as they rear their young and prepare them to fend for themselves. So far I've only seen gooselings - no baby ducks or swans. It won't be long and the babies will be full grown and off doing their own thing. The parents will truly be empty nesters!