Gaggle of geese to feature in illustrated book

The British Trust for Ornithology says it has never heard of examples of geese visiting shops

A market town that has become well known for its gaggle of geese could have a children's book published in their honour.

About 20 white domestic geese have waddled around March, in Cambridgeshire, for the last decade, visiting shops, using zebra crossings - and amassing thousands of social media followers.

The celebrity geese will feature in a 2026 calendar, and now a new book has been earmarked for release next spring.

Shop owners said the gregarious animals had brought "goose tourism" to the town, but there were down sides, including the mess and the aggressive noises they could make.

An illustration from a new book, earmarked for spring next year, tells the story of the rise to fame of the geese of March

Published author and illustrator Victoria Jane Clark said she was working on the layout design and illustrations of the new book.

The creator of the 2026 goose calendar, Chrissie Fadipe, will write the story, and the pair aim to have the book published next year.

"It is wonderful to have the opportunity to draw and paint these beautiful birds who have inspired joy in the March community," said Ms Clark.

"Being able to immortalise the geese in my illustrations for future generations to enjoy is a huge privilege."

Published author and illustrator Victoria Jane Clark with some of her draft paintings of the geese

Mrs Fadipe added that a children's book and a colouring book were also in the pipeline for next year, along with a new website launching in October.

"I did not have this on my bingo card for 2025, to be an unofficial celebrity agent for a gaggle of geese," said Ms Fadipe.

"People have just fallen in love with them.

"With all the doom and gloom in the world, these geese have just brought so much joy to people."

She added that sales from the calendar would go to two animal rescue charities, the Waterfowl Sanctuary in Godmanchester near Huntingdon, and Sally's Duck Rescue based in Wisbech.

Chrissie Fadipe said the original plan of printing 800 calendars would need an extended run, as "people have been requesting up to 15 of them for Christmas presents"

Shop owners Nigel and Julie Lambert said there had been pros and cons to the geese.

"It is lovely to see them, but the mess they leave behind is incredible, you feel like you are playing hop-scotch, you have to try and dodge the poo, it is a problem," Mrs Lambert said.

Mr Lambert thought the book was "a great idea", adding that the birds had brought tourists to the town.

Nigel and Julie Lambert say the birds have brought "goose tourism" to the town