Fending off the northern invaders
Shooting Times & Country|August 26, 2020
Orkney is being overrun by geese to the ire of its farmers, but a longer season means more Guns can do their bit
MATT CROSS
Fending off the northern invaders

One of the curious things about Scotland is the way that the Highlands seem to give up. For a long time as you head north the land grows higher and rockier, the soil gets thinner and fat cattle and cropland gives way to lean sheep and rangy deer. Then quite suddenly, when you hit the Islands, the land grows fat again. The grass is rich. The soil is fertile and the beasts are big.

Orkney is the epitome of this. Despite being on the same latitude as St Petersburg and 100 miles north of Inverness, it is good farming country with thick grass and abundant barley. It was this bounty that brought the Viking earls. They held the islands until they were given to Scotland in lieu of a dowry in 1472.

The islands’ richness has recently attracted a whole new tribe of northern invaders. Ten years ago there were a few hundred resident geese on Orkney, their ranks briefly swelled every winter as migratory pink feet and greylags passed through. But in recent years something has dramatically changed. For reasons no one quite understands, geese have decided to settle in the islands and the population has exploded.

Orkney is a wonderful place to be a goose; it has no foxes nor badgers to take eggs or goslings and on the offshore rocks, called skerries, there is no disturbance by people or dogs. There is abundant feeding on the grassland and the barley stubbles. The result is that goose numbers have swelled to an estimated 30,000.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM SHOOTING TIMES & COUNTRYView all
United we stand
Shooting Times & Country

United we stand

Following United Utilities' decision to end grouse shooting on its land, Lindsay Waddell asks what will happen if we ignore our vital moors

time-read
5 mins  |
August 02, 2023
Serious matters
Shooting Times & Country

Serious matters

An old gamebook prompts a contemplation on punt-gunning

time-read
3 mins  |
August 02, 2023
They're not always as easy as they seem
Shooting Times & Country

They're not always as easy as they seem

While coneys of the furry variety don't pose a problem for Blue Zulu, he's left frustrated once again by bolting bunnies of the clay sort

time-read
5 mins  |
August 02, 2023
Debutant gundogs
Shooting Times & Country

Debutant gundogs

There's lots to think about when it comes to making the decision about when to introduce your dog to shooting

time-read
4 mins  |
August 02, 2023
When the going gets rough
Shooting Times & Country

When the going gets rough

Al Gabriel returns to the West London Shooting School to brush up on his rough shooting technique

time-read
5 mins  |
August 02, 2023
The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition
Shooting Times & Country

The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition

In this excerpt from the 60th anniversary edition of the BDS's Field Guide To British Deer, Charles Smith-Jones considers the noise they make

time-read
4 mins  |
August 02, 2023
A step too far?
Shooting Times & Country

A step too far?

Simon Garnham wonders whether a new dog, a new gun and two different fields in need of protection might have been asking too much for one afternoon's work

time-read
6 mins  |
August 02, 2023
Two bucks before breakfast
Shooting Times & Country

Two bucks before breakfast

A journey from old South London to rural Hertfordshire to stalk muntjac suggests that the two aren't as far detached as they might seem

time-read
6 mins  |
August 02, 2023
Stalking Diary
Shooting Times & Country

Stalking Diary

Stalkers can be a sentimental bunch, and they often carry a huge attachment to their hill

time-read
2 mins  |
August 02, 2023
Gamekeeper
Shooting Times & Country

Gamekeeper

Alan Edwards believes unique, private experiences can help keepers become more competent and passionate custodians of the countryside

time-read
3 mins  |
August 02, 2023