Pleased to report that all of our birds seem to be doing well in this stormy spell of weather. The flock is well split up and probably in roughly four to five separate groups.
Yesterday two groups were at Hillend Slamannan, one group of 17 north of the river and one of 37 on the south side. They have been using this area for about a week now for feeding and possibly roosting.
Garbethill Muir is being well used by a group of unknown size and the information is coming in live from birds that we caught this autumn. Some of the tags are not giving off information all of the time due to their batteries being low. The lack of sunshine recently is the cause of this.
Some roosting is taking place on Darnrig Moss and also at Fannyside Lochs/Muir.
Wednesday, 23 December 2015
Thursday, 3 December 2015
News Update for early December 2015
With all this rain we have been having the bean geese have not had to search much for drinking water or areas to roost in.
Roosting is still mainly done in and around the Fannyside Lochs area but with an additional roost site nr to Darnrig Moss.
Feeding areas recently have included fields north of Strathaven Farm some parts of Bandominie Farm and a few fields near Wester Lochgreen.
Birders are again asked not to be accessing fields with stock as most farmers are involved in tupping their sheep so please avoid disturbance to this activity.
Please be satisfied with a distant view as any approach will result in disturbance to the geese. Always remember they will see you before you see them.
I had two visitors from Liverpool this week and they went away happy with having seen c150 bean geese although at a fair distance.
Roosting is still mainly done in and around the Fannyside Lochs area but with an additional roost site nr to Darnrig Moss.
Feeding areas recently have included fields north of Strathaven Farm some parts of Bandominie Farm and a few fields near Wester Lochgreen.
Birders are again asked not to be accessing fields with stock as most farmers are involved in tupping their sheep so please avoid disturbance to this activity.
Please be satisfied with a distant view as any approach will result in disturbance to the geese. Always remember they will see you before you see them.
I had two visitors from Liverpool this week and they went away happy with having seen c150 bean geese although at a fair distance.
Saturday, 14 November 2015
News Update on the Slamannan Bean Goose flock
Wintry weather has transformed the area around the town with the River Avon bursting its banks and flooding surrounding farmland.
Why is that newsworthy? Well the bean geese have found it to their liking and are feeding and roosting nr Hillend and the Dyke Farms.
Records from our 'tagged' geese have shown that they have been there for several nights and sometimes during the day.
A good place to look for them is from the playing field on the west side of the primary school.
Mentioning the school had an importance this week as I was invited to speak to one of the classes on the subject of the bean goose flock.
This class of youngsters really sat back and took in all I spoke about and were prepared to ask many pertinent questions relating to the bean geese flock. Of course they were under some pressure from their teacher Anne Wallace as they have to prepare a presentation on the subject to the rest of the school at an early morning assembly soon.
I hope to get an invitation to attend to see just how they perform. A bit like 'Strictly come Dancing' although I don't have to award points.
On looking through the pictures of the recent catch of birds at Luckenburn Farm I would like to share with you my favourite picture for this year. It shows one of the juvenile birds we caught in the gentle hands of Larry Griffin of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust with his colleague
Carl Mitchell. The looks on their respective faces says it all about their 'passion' for what they do for a living. I hope you agree.
Why is that newsworthy? Well the bean geese have found it to their liking and are feeding and roosting nr Hillend and the Dyke Farms.
Records from our 'tagged' geese have shown that they have been there for several nights and sometimes during the day.
A good place to look for them is from the playing field on the west side of the primary school.
Mentioning the school had an importance this week as I was invited to speak to one of the classes on the subject of the bean goose flock.
This class of youngsters really sat back and took in all I spoke about and were prepared to ask many pertinent questions relating to the bean geese flock. Of course they were under some pressure from their teacher Anne Wallace as they have to prepare a presentation on the subject to the rest of the school at an early morning assembly soon.
I hope to get an invitation to attend to see just how they perform. A bit like 'Strictly come Dancing' although I don't have to award points.
On looking through the pictures of the recent catch of birds at Luckenburn Farm I would like to share with you my favourite picture for this year. It shows one of the juvenile birds we caught in the gentle hands of Larry Griffin of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust with his colleague
Carl Mitchell. The looks on their respective faces says it all about their 'passion' for what they do for a living. I hope you agree.
Monday, 2 November 2015
Further News on the Bean Goose flock
A visit to the plateau in lovely sunshine yesterday resulted in really good views of a large flock of 165 beans and one juvenile Pinkfoot at Luckenburn.
Another flock of 52 was further to the east but showing well in a field of long grass.
This brings out flock total to 217. Still a bit short of the last few years but perhaps a few more are still to arrive.
As promised some pictures below of birds caught recently
Another flock of 52 was further to the east but showing well in a field of long grass.
This brings out flock total to 217. Still a bit short of the last few years but perhaps a few more are still to arrive.
As promised some pictures below of birds caught recently
Adult male and his mate Adult female below
Friday, 30 October 2015
News update on the Bean Goose flock
A large flock of 135 birds were found yesterday well away from Luckenburn. They were in a field north west of Slamannan.
They may well use this area for the next day or so. Best place to view is from the Playing field on the Greengairs Road. A telescope is essential as the birds are some distance off.
Trying to approach the flock in this field is not likely to succeed as the birds are very way and will see your approach. The fields also have farming stock in them at present so please stay out. Thanks.
Another group of birds (74) were seen to the west of this area. That gives a new high for this year of 209 birds.
They may well use this area for the next day or so. Best place to view is from the Playing field on the Greengairs Road. A telescope is essential as the birds are some distance off.
Trying to approach the flock in this field is not likely to succeed as the birds are very way and will see your approach. The fields also have farming stock in them at present so please stay out. Thanks.
Another group of birds (74) were seen to the west of this area. That gives a new high for this year of 209 birds.
Wednesday, 28 October 2015
News Update on our Bean Goose flock
The largest flock of birds have settled down into a pattern this past week of using the fields at Luckenburn Farm for feeding during daylight hours and returning to roost at the Fannyside Lochs area.
A smaller group of c30 birds have moved elsewhere on the plateau for feeding.
A smaller group of c30 birds have moved elsewhere on the plateau for feeding.
Wednesday, 21 October 2015
News Update on Bean Goose flock
A visit to Luckenburn today found a flock of 186 bean Geese.
This confirms that a further group of birds has arrived from Sweden/Denmark.
Four new collared birds have also arrived. They are: 7X, 7T, and pair (7Y and 7Z )
In total we now have 20 bean geese in the present flock with collars or coloured leg rings.
Still to sort out the pictures taken at the catch on 9 October.
This confirms that a further group of birds has arrived from Sweden/Denmark.
Four new collared birds have also arrived. They are: 7X, 7T, and pair (7Y and 7Z )
In total we now have 20 bean geese in the present flock with collars or coloured leg rings.
Still to sort out the pictures taken at the catch on 9 October.
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