News Update on Tag10 in Orkney

Hi all.

Have confirmation that Tag10 has been seen in Orkney all on his own. It will be interesting to see if and when he decides he is in the wrong country and moves to Denmark where the others are.

Thanks to the Observer in Orkney who has confirmed this and supplied a picture of our bird. I don't know his name but I believe he is an RSPB chap. All credit to him.

Latest spring movement news 21 February 2017

I managed to locate Tags 27 & 29 yesterday near Wester Lochgreen Farm around midday.

In total there was a small flock of 12 birds but due to their secretive nature I was unable to read any collars to see if their two young were within the flock.

Imagine my surprise on getting an email from Carl Mitchell am today to say that they left us probably sometime late yesterday as they have now turned up in Denmark (see below)

You will note that our bird Tag10 is showing up as still in Orkney so interesting now to see when he moves to catch up with his friends. 

Update Information on Spring Migration

Information has come in that Tag10 one of last years birds has reached Orkney with the others but did not return south with Tags 27 & 29.

Tags 27 & 29 are still on the plateau today but not seen despite searching the last known locality.

It is thought that most birds have gone to Denmark but no confirmation of that has been received to date.

We are not sure if the two juveniles returned with their parents to Slamannan or perhaps are still in Orkney or lost during the flight over the north sea and Orkney.

Perhaps Simon in Norway may get a sighting and let us know when they reach the Glomma River in late March/early April.

Breaking News Saturday 11 February 2017

Well you won't believe it. Tag27 has now returned to Slamannan and probably accompanied with it's mate Tag29 and hopefully their family.

The flight line from Caithness would seem to indicate they flew directly south over the Cairngorms

Satellite information this morning indicates they are in fields NE of Oakersdyke Farm.

Hopefully they will now wait for a decent weather window before attempting their spring flight to Denmark.

News Update on Bean Geese Spring Movement

The bean geese that moved the other day have now turned up on Orkney and then moved to Caithness (see map below) which is not surprising given the wind direction on the original day of travel. See map below with the wind pattern in the north sea.

For full flight data look at bean goose website (scotlandsbeangeese.wikispaces.com) and click on migration link for spring 2017

Tag29 Location

News update special 6 February 2017

Arrived on the plateau around 1000 this morning and found a large flock of 209 Pinkfeet and 140 Bean Geese.

Suddenly I received a message from Larry Griffin (WWT) that Tag27 had flown over the Isle of May this morning around 0930.

See map below.

It is more than likely that its mate Tag29 is with it and some others  including their 2 juveniles.

More to follow as the migration progresses.