Goslings enjoying a swim with their Greylag and White Goose parents

At the beginning of May I went on a walk with friends along the Thames path, starting along the river bank in Oxford.  We stopped for refreshments at the Isis Farmhouse in Illfley and, while sitting outside in the sunshine, managed to take some photographs of 7 little goslings with their Greylag and White Goose parents.  The Greylag below looks as though it is telling the White Goose off!

Greylag and White Goose with their 7 Goslings

The goslings were having a great time swimming around and splashing in the water, with the White Goose keeping an eye on them and the Greylag staring into the distance.

Goslings splashing around near White and Greylag Goose parents

There were two families of Geese swimming around in front of a group of mainly White Geese that were standing on the river bank - both had 7 babies each.  The Greylag goslings appear to be a bit larger than the Greylag/White Goose babies.

Two Goose families, both with 7 goslings each, near group of White Geese on the Thames

The Greylag goslings clambered up onto the bank, while the Greylag/White Geese and their goslings were still enjoying a swim.

2 Greylag and White Geese families/goslings in the water

They continued swimming around for a while.

White Goose, Greylag Goose and group of goslings

The White Goose had a good splash around in the water and was flapping it's wings, while the group of Gosling were following - though the one at the back is going the wrong way!

White Goose splashing around in the water with 6 goslings following and 1 going the wrong way

The White Goose enjoyed a great bath with the goslings now right behind, also splashing around in the water.

The White Goose is having a good wash and so are the goslings

Goslings. Greylags and White Geese on the Thames in Oxfordshire

On Sunday I was sitting admiring a large group of White and Greylag Geese on the opposite bank of the river Thames at Iffley, near Oxford.  Amongst them was a delightful family - mum, dad and some sweet fluffy goslings.  Mum and Dad were both enjoying a lovely wash and splash around.

Greylag geese and goslings with group of mixed White and Greylag Geese

One of the parents was searching for food, while the goslings were swimming around and looking incredibly cute.

White geese on the bank and family of Greylag geese and cute goslings in the water

Greylag Goose family in the water and White Geese having a drink

A Greylag Goose having a good wash while partner and goslings try to avoid the antics

Greylag having a splash while the family look on

There were actually two families of geese in the same area and I do not know if the geese in the photograph below are part of same one or not!

Two Greylag Geese - I just am not speaking to you!

The geese went for a swim.  Two Greylag Geese were joined by a White Goose and I am not sure which one the babies belong to.

2 Greylag Geese, 1 White Goose and several Goslings

After swimming around for a while, the goslings clambered up onto the bank while a parent was still in preening mode.

Goslings clambering onto the bank while a parent is still enjoying a wash

It was great to see the geese and babies enjoying a lovely sunny day.

Group of white geese and lone swan on the Thames at Iffley

On Sunday I went for a long walk with some friends along the Thames path from Oxford to Radley.  The sun was shining and we stopped for refreshment at the Isis Farmhouse, Iffley.  As we were sitting outside, on benches near the river, a group of white geese swam to the opposite bank.  They were being followed by a lone swan, who looked none too friendly. 

Group of white geese, plus two other geese and a lone swan

The geese climbed onto the bank and gathered together under the tree branches.

Group of white geese climbing onto Thames bank

White geese under a tree on the Thames

Some of the group looked as though they were thinking of going for another swim.

Group of white geese - some are getting ready to have another swim

The swan lost interest in them and swam off

Mute swam on the Thames at Iffley