FACT: As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an "uplift"
for the bird following. By flying in a "V" formation,
the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird
flew alone.

LESSON: People who share a common direction and sense of community can
get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling
on the thrust of one another. A shared vision and sense of purpose
create synergy, making the going a little easier for all.

FACT: Whenever a goose
falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance
of trying to fly alone. It quickly gets back into formation to
take advantage of the "lifting power" of the bird immediately
in front.

LESSON: If we have as much sense as a goose,
we will stay in formation with those we see who are headed where
we want to go.

FACT: When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation
and another goose flies at the point position.

LESSON: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership
— people, as with geese, are interdependent upon one another.


FACT: The geese in
formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep
up their speed.

LESSON: Positive encouragement is a strong
motivator. We need to make sure our "honking" from behind
is empowering, and not something less helpful.

FACT: When a goose gets sick or wounded, two geese drop out of formation
to follow him or her down to help and protect their fallen companion.
They stay with him/her until [s]he is either able to fly again
or dies. Then they launch out on their own with another formation
or catch up with their flock.

LESSON: If we have as much sense as the geese, we will learn to stand
by each other as we are achieving our goals.

A 6m round log (possibly part of an
old ship's mast) washed ashore at Tramore Strand on Christmas Day, was
festooned with in excess of 1,000 Goose Barnacles. In
bygone days, theses barnacles were thought to be the eggs of black and
white geese that were then named after them - the Barnacle Goose and
the Brent Goose, Branta bernicla. These were then thought to
be the male and female of the same species.
at: www.waterfordwildlife.com/archive.htm