News update on Taiga Bean Geese arriving on the Slamannan Plateau near Falkirk

 An evening visit to the roost pool at Fannyside Muir gave us the opportunity to witness two flocks of geese coming to roost. Our initial count was approx.135 birds. They arrived in the dark flying in low over the site before touching down in the water. 

We carried out an image intensifier count later and were able to count 160 birds. Since then another 5 bean geese have been seen at Ferryhills on the Forth estuary.

This is a healthy start to the season and our team will be out and about trying to identify family groups, an important part of our work during the time they have with us. 

Spot on cue - we have had an arrival of 106 taiga bean geese on the Slamannan Plateau today.

 With a change of weather in the north sea over the past couple of days it has allowed our initial flock of birds to make a safe crossing. 

On a visit to the plateau with Billy Thomson this morning at 1015hrs a flock of 41 Canada Geese were seen and close by two flocks of bean geese. One flock of 41 birds and another of 65 birds including one bird with a collar, but we were unable to read it due to distance and bright sunny conditions. 

This is a similar date to 2025 autumn arrival. Fortunately our birds do not rely on {Air traffic control) to assist them with their long flights across the North Sea.  

A fresh update from Dan Mangsbo in Sweden who has been out again at Lake Brosjon.

 Dan has managed to visit Lake Brosjon again and has reported seeing a flock of 218 Bean Geese. 

This a good number and he thinks this is a maximum count for this time of the year. 

  Migration out of Norway in the autumn 1991