Goose lays eggs at railway station during lockdown

York is home to about 500 geese

A flower bed in an unusually tranquil railway station appeared to be the perfect spot for a goose in need of a nest.

British Transport Police (BTP) officers spotted the bird and egg inside the entrance of York station on Sunday.

However, station staff said on Monday there was no sign of the goose or egg.

The station usually attracts thousands of travellers and commuters every day, but is now extremely quiet due to government restrictions on travel.

A spokesperson for LNER, which manages the station, said: "After her visit to York railway station, we are hoping the goose has made it back home, along with her egg, and that they'll stay there and stay safe."

Greylag and Canada geese are common sights in York and the city is home to about 500 birds, according to the city council.

BTP tweeted on Sunday: "We have no plans to intervene given how quiet and calm the station is. Officers and @LNER staff will also be around to monitor."

The goose and her egg were spotted on Sunday but both have now vanished

Tony Whitehead, for the RSPB, said ducks and geese laying eggs in unusual places was not unheard of.

"I've come across mallards raising young in a hanging flower basket before," he said.

"However, no doubt this bird is taking also taking advantage of our unusually quiet public spaces currently. It will be interesting to see how many other birds and other animals are doing the same."

It is not clear if the goose had decided to move on or had been disturbed.

Ground nesting birds do sometimes abandon nests, but the egg might have also fallen prey to a predator such as a fox.