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.
Saturday, 11 February 2017
Friday, 10 February 2017
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
For full flight data look at bean goose website (scotlandsbeangeese.wikispaces.com) and click on migration link for spring 2017
Tag29 Location
Monday, 6 February 2017
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.
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.
Friday, 20 January 2017
News Update 20 January 2017
During the last week I and others have tried to confirm whether our flock size had increased as reported in the last blog.
Unfortunately the increase in birds has not been consolidated with many observations of less than what was reported.
I have spoken with the observer and he has confirmed that his increased total may have been mistaken as some birds were moving back and forward between two field systems and he did not have the time to make further checks before he left the area.
At this time of the year it can be frustrating for observers of the bean goose flock as they rarely join up together in one flock so that total flock numbers can be observed. Instead they split up in separate groups and some of them cannot be located easily because of the topography of the area.
Further efforts will be undertaken in the next week or so to see if any increase has taken place.
Unfortunately the increase in birds has not been consolidated with many observations of less than what was reported.
I have spoken with the observer and he has confirmed that his increased total may have been mistaken as some birds were moving back and forward between two field systems and he did not have the time to make further checks before he left the area.
At this time of the year it can be frustrating for observers of the bean goose flock as they rarely join up together in one flock so that total flock numbers can be observed. Instead they split up in separate groups and some of them cannot be located easily because of the topography of the area.
Further efforts will be undertaken in the next week or so to see if any increase has taken place.
Saturday, 7 January 2017
News Update 7 January 2017
Some good news to report that a visitor on his way through central Scotland has managed to record a total flock size of 236 which is the highest count this winter so far.
The birds were seen north west of Slamannan in two flocks and the viewer thought there may be more birds than that.
I have been out today after a NewYear holiday in mid Wales.
Poor visibility in the morning with visibility as low as 100m made looking for birds difficult but thanks to our GPS collared birds I was able to guess where to look.
I managed to find a flock of c100 birds in the same area as before but was unable to find further flocks today to confirm that we have had an influx of birds during the past two weeks.
The birds were seen north west of Slamannan in two flocks and the viewer thought there may be more birds than that.
I have been out today after a NewYear holiday in mid Wales.
Poor visibility in the morning with visibility as low as 100m made looking for birds difficult but thanks to our GPS collared birds I was able to guess where to look.
I managed to find a flock of c100 birds in the same area as before but was unable to find further flocks today to confirm that we have had an influx of birds during the past two weeks.
Thursday, 15 December 2016
News Update 15 December 2016
A large flock of bean geese (c150) have been present much of this past week north west of Slamannan
A roost visit tonight at Fannyside saw a flock of c100 birds fly in from the north and land in West Fannyside Loch.
I attach a couple of pictures taken recently of weather patterns seen on the plateau.
A roost visit tonight at Fannyside saw a flock of c100 birds fly in from the north and land in West Fannyside Loch.
I attach a couple of pictures taken recently of weather patterns seen on the plateau.
Ben Vorlich and Stuc a'Chroin
viewed from Slamannan using a telephone lens
during the recent cold spell in November
Sunset at Slamannan 15 Dec 2016
Saturday, 3 December 2016
Update on Bean Goose movements 3 Dec 2016
The wintering flock are quite widely spread in the Slamannan area most days.
Small groups have been noted well to the north and west of the plateau. But a look around the minor roads can often be rewarding.
I had a visit this past week by Larry Griffin from WWT who had come north from Caerlaverock to try and catch up with the bird 7T. This bird was caught in 2013 and fitted with a GSM collar which allows the information contained within to be downloaded periodically to follow its movements.
Luckly we caught up with it within the hour and were able to download data from March 2016 right through to October. It is fantastic that this collar is still working so well as it was made up by Larry at the time and virtually stuck together with glue.
The total flock size is still the same with 216 being the highest count so far.
Further checks for juveniles within the flock have been disappointing with only 4 seen this past week.
Small groups have been noted well to the north and west of the plateau. But a look around the minor roads can often be rewarding.
I had a visit this past week by Larry Griffin from WWT who had come north from Caerlaverock to try and catch up with the bird 7T. This bird was caught in 2013 and fitted with a GSM collar which allows the information contained within to be downloaded periodically to follow its movements.
Luckly we caught up with it within the hour and were able to download data from March 2016 right through to October. It is fantastic that this collar is still working so well as it was made up by Larry at the time and virtually stuck together with glue.
The total flock size is still the same with 216 being the highest count so far.
Further checks for juveniles within the flock have been disappointing with only 4 seen this past week.
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