Madam, - At this time of year, large skeins of geese arrive on our city strands; yesterday there were the biggest flocks I have seen for many years.
Most of these geese and other beach feeders have just arrived in Ireland. Having flown across the Atlantic or come from the arctic, they are exhausted.
Before continuing to their ultimate winter destinations they must feed or perish. This they can do only when the tide is out and during daylight hours.
Yet almost throughout daylight, people arrive to exercise their dogs. Yesterday I watched as geese being chased from one area to another as no fewer than a dozen dogs had fun at the expense of the feeding wildfowl.
Another hazard is the kite- flyers who unthinkingly prevent feeding with their apparent bird of prey. Few dog-owners or kite- flyers realise they may be causing the death through starvation or exhaustion or wildfowl at this time of year.
Please give them a break. - Yours, etc.,
DERMOT C. CLARKE,
Wilson Road,
Mount Merrion,
Co Dublin.