NOW, IF only we could train lynx to eat geese, foxes and hoodie craws (see story, left)?

However, at least someone is coming up with innovative ideas on how to get rid of the goose problem. While you can get beef burgers, lamb burgers, pork burgers, venison burgers, now we could be set to see goose burgers.

More than 700 greylag geese are to be shot in the Outer Hebrides and turned into burgers in a bid to stop the birds ravaging farmers’ and crofters’ crops.

The three-year project to manage the goose population of Lewis and Harris – approved by Scottish Natural Heritage – was activated this week.

The trial aims to reduce agricultural damage crofters and farmers experience by reducing the size of the greylag population in a controlled and co-ordinated way. Shooting will continue until August 31, after which progress will be reviewed.

A spokesman for SNH said: “Our initial target is for 700 geese to be shot this autumn, as we aim to deliver a significant population reduction by April, 2017.

Similar projects are underway on Uist, Coll and Tiree as well as in Orkney where growing populations of greylag geese have caused significant damage to crops. I think farmers on Islay might like something of the same for them, but don’t hold your breath!

The project will also trial the sale of goose meat under licence and said to make tasty burgers, which could soon be flying off the shelves of local butchers and possibly supermarkets.