Love birds reunited: Canada Geese Arnold and Amelia reunited in Barnstable

Steve Heaslip Cape Cod Times

Aug 13, 2021 

CUMMAQUID — It was quite obvious Arnold and Amelia are head over heels, or webbed feet, in love.

The long wait for their reunion arrived on a perfect summer day for a couples swim at the Birdsey Cape Wildlife Center in Barnstable. Canada goose Arnold spent a month in recovery there healing from an open foot fracture, likely from a snapping turtle attack in the pond at the back of the center. While healing, his lady friend now named Amelia, visited daily, pecking at the glass and keeping an eye on him, sometimes even joining him for a meal.

Center director Zak Mertz said it was a tough injury to heal. But just after noon Thursday, staffers Jessen Swider and Robyn Rohm carried Arnold’s cage down to the edge of the lawn, Amelia following behind. Arnold presented his shy side, then uncurled his neck, gave a few loud honks, and strutted to the water with Amelia a few steps behind. A quick test flight to some privacy on the other side and the two love birds started doing summersaults in the water, together again, for better or worse, in sickness and health.

Honking good love story::Goose watches over injured mate at Birdsey Cape Wildlife Center