September 10 2013

Blistering barnacles
The eggs of Canada and greylag geese are also oiled (to prevent hatching) to prevent crop damage and reduce risk to aircraft
Sir, The increasing semi-wild population of barnacle geese in the UK poses a problem for other rarer birds (Feather Report, Sept 7). In 2012 the RSPB had to destroy 195 eggs of introduced barnacle geese on one of its reserves to reduce the impact of their aggressive behaviour towards nesting species of conservation concern. The eggs of Canada and greylag geese are also oiled (to prevent hatching) for such reasons as preventing crop damage to reducing the risk to aircraft. An arctic cliff ledge may be the safest nesting site for a wild barnacle goose, but there may not be anywhere safe for an escapee goose breeding here. Rob Yorke Abergavenny, Monmouthshire