Richmond - The Editor, The snow geese have started arriving again. So please will all those who hunt, spare us their entreaties to have hunting opened up on the West Dyke.
We should feel privileged that we have the great good fortune to see these magnificent flocks in our neighbourhood. Furthermore, let's not hear the old excuse that they are ruining the playing fields and turn the dogs loose on them.
We have watched these fields all summer and they are green and lush, thanks to the fertilizer the geese bring with them.
So okay, for a few short weeks when they are here, they deposit their poop on these fields.
But if it doesn't rain, the poop dries to dust and if it does rain, which is the most likely scenario, the fields turn muddy and it is washed into the ground.
What kid wants to play on a muddy wet field at that time of year anyway.
Let's not try to sterilize everything we touch or walk on. We all have to eat our "peck of dirt" in order to build up our immune system. Not that we're suggesting that we should take that literally. So let's enjoy the birds while they're here.
Patricia and Patrick Gannon
Richmond
