Continuing the archive — slow essays and observations from marshes, mangroves, and pondsides around the world.
№ 379 A naturalist's read on whether keeping geese genuinely deters snakes - what the evidence says, which species are deterred, and whether it works as a property-management strategy.
A naturalist's read on what geese actually need for water - a pond is nice but not essential. What works instead, and the bare minimum water access for a small flock.
№ 378 
№ 377 Hawks can take pets under 5 lb but rarely try anything bigger. A naturalist's honest read on real risk versus internet panic.
Ducks build nests on dry ground or in tree cavities. A naturalist's read on why water-laying happens only by accident or distress.
№ 376 
№ 375 Female ducks lay eggs whether a drake is present or not. A naturalist's read on when wild and domestic ducks produce unfertilised eggs, and what to do with them.
Geese are not piscivores - but they will eat a small fish under specific conditions. A naturalist's read on the rare cases where geese take fish, and why it almost never happens.
№ 374 
№ 373 A naturalist's read on the Mallard's diet - the seven food categories that make up a wild Mallard's year, what changes seasonally, and why protein matters most in spring.
A naturalist's read on whether ducks really eat snakes - which species do it most, what size of snake they actually take, and why a duck pond reduces local snake numbers.
№ 372 
№ 371 Beak and bill are the same structure - ornithologists use 'bill' for ducks because of its flat, lamellated shape. A naturalist's read on the duck mouthpart.
Bread is the worst thing you can feed a swan. It causes angel wing, water pollution, and crop impaction. A naturalist's read of why, and what to feed instead.
№ 370 
№ 369 A naturalist's read on swan landings - swans can land on land but they prefer water, and the times they land on roads or lawns are often emergencies. What it looks like and what to do if a swan is grounded.
A naturalist's read on swan cold tolerance - what they can handle, the anatomy that lets them stand on ice, and the conditions that actually do kill swans in winter.
№ 368