IT IS the very definition of a wild goose chase.

Animal welfare experts will today try to capture a rogue goose causing traffic mayhem in a Hampshire town.

The heartbroken bird has been attacking cars and causing tailbacks in Bishop's Waltham after the death of its mate.

Today attempts are being made to get the feathered pest, named Davina, off the roundabout and into a safe home.

Parish clerk Lindsay Edge said: "In the last few weeks she's become a bit of a terror, because she's spending a lot of her time in the road between the roundabout and the pond, which means she's causing traffic jams. She's not very polite when it comes to cars, and she's been pecking cars as they come around."

Davina appeared without explanation in the town several years ago and used to frequent South Pond with another goose, named David by the local fishing club.

But when David was found dead last autumn after a suspected dog attack, Davina started acting differently.

Commuters regularly found her stood on the B3035 and B2177 roundabout, refusing to move and angrily pecking at car tyres.

"We had numerous calls because she looked lonely," Ms Edge added.

Hart Wildlife Trust performed a health check, found the bird was in good condition and advised against bringing in another in case they didn't get on.

Davina has caused such a flap on the roundabout that Meon Valley MP George Hollingbery has got involved.

He has joined the fishing club and local councillors in finding a smallholding at Denmead Poultry, where she will be kept alongside four other geese.

Bishop's Waltham residents took to social media yesterday to pay tribute to their winged neighbour.

Sam Hayward wrote: "She was a town mascot, and also helped me turn right when pulling out of the petrol station by kindly stopping the traffic. She does need to be somewhere safer though – not everyone drives carefully past her and would hate to see her hurt."

Denmead Poultry owner Andrew Rafferty was due to lead a self-styled "Goose Squad" this morning to try to capture the bird.

"I'm sure I'll make myself an idiot with my friends trying to round her up," Mr Rafferty said.

“You could say we have been on a bit of a wild goose chase."