New Update from Saffle Sweden

The two tagged birds 39 & 20 have now joined up after being separated since Leaving Slamannan in early January.

Map attached shows the two birds in the same location NE of Saffle Sweden

Bean Geese: update: Tag20 now moved to Sweden

Further news this weekend. Tag20 has moved from its position in Denmark to almost join up with Tag39.

They would appear to be in different bays but not far from each other. Two maps attached to assist you with the new information.

New update on Tag39 in Sweden

We have managed to confirm that Tag39 is part of a flock of 33 bean geese which may well be part of our flock.

Very interesting to get this news from a fieldworker in Sweden. Thanks Don for your observations.

Today Tag39 and others? have moved back south. Map below. Reasons may be that they have insufficient food or decided to return to Pandrup in Denmark. Watch this space for future updates.

We have been unsuccessful in finding out if Tag20 in Denmark has others with him as it turns out to be an area that is well used by migrating geese and sounds like the Slamannan Plateau with undulating fields with plenty of contours where birds can hide from prying eyes. 

Early spring update on the Slamannan flock

We still have a one bird in Sweden, one bird in Denmark. There be others with them but no details have emerged as yet. A flock of c180 birds still in the Slamannan area.

There has been a constant stream of birders looking at the birds this past wee while and I would like to request that you don't 'love' the birds to bits. In otherwise give them some space to settle into feeding up for their migration to Denmark and beyond.

We have had plenty of photographs taken too which is always nice as long as you are using a telephoto lens and not encroaching to near the feeding birds. Attached tag picture as of today.

We have received a handsome donation this week to assist our group with the purchase of new tags.

At the moment tags cost in the region of £1200 which includes a years monitoring charges.

If you, or a group that you are involved with would like to consider something similar, please get in touch with me. Even a small donation can help with this type of project.

angus.maciver184@gmail.com

Happy birding in 2020

New update on spring migration of Tag 39

Just when we thought we had seen it all this bird has surprised us by heading off further north into south Sweden (Saffle) which is a staging post for part of the Slamannan flock.

Interestingly too we have had information from this area from someone known to our group that it was the first time in his memory that there was no snow on the ground at that location in January and temperatures so far above 0 deg celcius. Climate change indeed.

Tag20 remains where it landed further south in Denmark on 6th January (map Below)

New Update now on UCOL39.

It is perhaps no surprise that the presumed mate of Whit20 has now appeared further north at Pandrup the usual staging post for our flock when they depart Slamannan in the 2nd week of Feburary in recent years.

Possibly they left together on or around 8th Jan but became separated and Tag39 was not giving off information at that time. Perhaps we will be able to examine the fine detail later.

Another fascinating insight into the migration of our bean geese.

New map below showing the two birds and their positions in northern Denmark.

Fresh news on one of our recently caught birds. Whit20

On checking our tracking data at lunchtime today I find that Whit20 has taken itself (and perhaps some pals to Denmark) it is recorded at 0100hrs today and then at 0700hrs. It is showing to the west of lake 'Alvand' in a national park area. Map below.