October Update on Bean Goose flock at Slamannan

I am pleased to report that a recent visit at Luckenburn found approximately 142 bean geese.

Today there was still a flock of c128 birds there and another large flock in the oat field north of Slamannan on the main road to Falkirk. (warning) to birders:: this field is right next to a bad bend on the road so you cannot stop here without leaving yourself in a dangerous position on this busy road. Better to park up in one of laybays just to the north of this site and walk to get a view of the geese. Be careful though as the birds are liable to see you and move.

Below at picture taken at Luckenburn recently showing the birds in an 'alert' mode. This type of behaviour can certainly aid a count at the time.

Below a picture taken near Oakersdyke which shows how bean geese can utilise Juncus in a field to hide themselves whilst still finding food.

Update for autumn 2018

The flock at Luckenburn reached a figure of 164 birds on 4 October.

After this date the farmer at Luckenburn had to spread dung on his fields which resulted in the birds moving away to the east nearer Slamannan.

A flock of possibly up to 180 birds was seen on the 10 October in a oat stubble field on the main road from Slamannan to Falkirk.

As the birds had used this field on several occasions around this time we attempted to catch a small number of birds but were unlucky and the birds did not cooperate. However we hope to try again before too long if a suitable location can be found.

The use of the oat stubble was interesting as recently we had a visiting ornithologist from Umea in  north east Sweden who also studies a flock of taiga bean geese. In his area such stubble fields are used extensively by bean geese and he commented that it would be interesting if our 'beans' do the same thing this winter. We now know that to be the case and this scenario may well assist our wintering birds. (picture below of birds in the stubble field)

The bean geese have arrived at Slamannan for winter 2018/2019

Hi all

The current flock probably arrived on the 25/26  September as they were located on site at Luckenburn on the 27th.

A visit on the 1 October gave lovely views of a flock of 140 geese.

As we have one live GPS collar (Tag30) we were able to follow the flight from southern Norway down the North Sea to the coastal area on the east coast around Eyemouth. They quickly changed direction to their usual wintering grounds near Slamannan.

I have managed to read some collars: 6X, 7V, S8, 6Z, 3Y, Tag4 (yellow ring on left leg),
Tag30 and its mate 6U.

Note: Birdwatchers beware of parking on the main road at Luckenburn as it is a busy through road between Greengairs and Slamannan. On no account should you park in the road leading to Luckenburn Farm. A safer place to park is at Shielknowes road end and observe the geese from there. On no account enter any of the fields occupied by the geese.