Residents across Oldham have spotted what appears to be a lost goose 'on the loose' who has been waddling through residential streets.
On Tuesday (September 3), residents reported a goose was seen wandering through the centre of Shaw.
Photographs and video footage show the goose was crossing roads and even holding up traffic.
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Residents said it looked "bewildered" when it was later spotted in the middle of a busy road in the village.
Neighbours said they saw - and heard - the goose on Oak Street, Linney Lane, Glebe Street, near the old Warbutons bakery, Trent Road, Duchess Street and Rishworth Rise, making "a right racket" as it passed through.
Paul Hanley said it "woke me up at a stupid hour" as it walked down his street.
Some have reportedly attempted to catch the bird to take it to safety, including Nadia Myers who tried but found it was young, scared and fast.
She added: "It was on the back of the main street after walking down Rochdale Road.
"I tried getting it to take it to safety but you need a big net and it's not daft.
"It came for a bit of food but I can't grab it.
"Poor thing's lonely. Very 'Rocky' though."
Neil Jones also spied the bird "sleeping in his yard" before it "flew up the road towards Crompton House".
Neil added: "He can't fly very well and nearly hit a few cars.
"I really hope someone catches him soon."
Since its fleeting stop off in Shaw, the goose then made an appearance in Royton on Wednesday (September 4) morning, roughly three miles away.
It was spotted on Denbydale Way and then on the Thorp Road.
Chloe Williamson saw the animal at the bottom of Westerdale Drive and said it was "refusing to move out of the middle of the road".
Jennie Jones-Chadwick, who runs Finley's Friends dog walking service, also spotted the goose walking around the Thorp estate when she was on the school run.
She said: "I thought I was seeing things at first, I was surprised to see a goose in the road.
"She seemed perfectly fine, not injured at all.
"She was just going about her business like the rest of us."
Keith Gledhill said: "There's a goose loose about this hoose!
"It's heading towards Thorp Primary School so I'm guessing it's a new starter, or it's just having a gander."
Ashley Marie said she saw it "waddling about" in the morning and described the bird as "really cute, but proper messed up my morning routine".
Residents across the borough have since been sharing some giggles about their delightful visitor.
Steven Meare wrote: "He's just having a gander", while Mark Hobson joked: "Looks like fowl play."
Yvonne Cartwright added: "There's a goose loose about this house. Hope it gets home safe."
Most were concerned about the bird's safety, urging others to try to catch it or report its whereabouts to the RSPCA "before it gets hurt".
Sally Shelmerdine said: "She has lost her flock and needs relocating."
However, some speculate the goose might have either 'escaped' or got lost from a farm in Shaw while others have suggested it could be a wild, greylag goose that is migrating.
Suzanne Devine joked: "Imagine migrating and landing in Shaw."
How far and fast can geese travel?
It's not unusual for geese to travel far with migrating flocks covering up to 1,500 miles per day.
According to The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), there are nine species in the UK which can be divided into two main groups, 'black' and 'grey'.
Interestingly, they can fly at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour, increasing to a whopping 70 miles per hour if they catch a strong tailwind.
Groups of Canada geese often fly in a v-formation and large flocks of around 30 to 100 birds, making a noisy "barking" sound as they go.
Meanwhile, greylag geese, which are distinctive with their pale grey chest, dark grey wings, brown head, and either an orange or pale pink bill, migrate south in the autumn and return in the spring.
They learn migration routes from their parents who usually stay together for life.
According to the Scottish Wildlife Trust, greylag geese moult all their feathers after breeding and are flightless for about a month while they wait for new feathers to grow in.
They are also the last species to migrate, hence the name greylag as they "lag" behind other migrating geese.
They like to breed and nest in the north, on moorlands, marshes and around lakes.
The RSPCA has been contacted for comment.
Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk
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