Father Goose

by William Lishman

Paper Book, 1996

Status

Available

Call number

598.4/1

Genres

Collection

Animals

Publication

New York : Crown Publishers, c1996.

Description

Due to human interference with their habitat, many migratory birds no longer fly south in winter. Lishman raised a flock of Canada geese from egg to adulthood and, using a microlight aircraft, taught them to follow him on their migratory route - they did indeed believe that he was their Father Goose. The 18 birds who took off after Lishman in his aircraft in October 1994 have since returned to his Toronto farm.

User reviews

LibraryThing member gypsysmom

William Lishman is something of a renaissance man. He is a renowned sculptor, a pilot, a devoted husband and father and generally good with engines and machines. On top of that he can write pretty well.

As a pilot of an ultralight airplane Lishman fell in love with flying with birds. He conceived

an idea to lead a flock of Canadian geese from southern Ontario to a place that they could overwinter. This book tells of the trials, tribulations and, yes, triumphs of achieving that goal. There are some wonderful photographs taken by Lishman and his crew as they and the birds fly south. This wasn't just an ego trip for Lishman; there was a scientific reason for teaching birds to follow an aircraft. Migratory birds such as Whooping Cranes and Trumpeter Swans had decreased in numbers to the point where the species were at risk of extinction. Lishman's concept allowed others to continue working with these species. Operation Migration, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Whooping Cranes in the Eastern US, just reported that nine whooping cranes were spotted in Indiana.

Lishman still flies and helps with migratory birds according to his website. He also still does some amazing sculptures including an iceberg sculpture for the Museum of Man which was installed in 2015.

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