Recent News on the bean goose flock

The weather has made visits to see the bean geese difficult in recent days but some good observations have taken place in the past couple of weeks.

On the 16th I had a good view of three separate groups of birds. One of 46 to the north of Grangeneuk, one of 31 to the south of Threiprig and one of 75 at Wester Jaw.

A roost visit to Fannyside Muir on the 18th however produced no birds coming to roost in the time I was there.

The most interesting record occurred on the 11th December when a large group of over 100 birds were seen in a new feeding area on the western fringes of the study area.

This month has also seen the presence of a large flock of c1000 Pinkfeet in and around the upper Avon Valley nr Slamannan. Up to 3 Barnacle Geese were present within this flock.

Early December news about the bean goose flock at Slamannan

A visit to the plateau at lunchtime yesterday found two flocks of bean geese NW of Slamannan. The total count was 214 birds between both groups.

The smaller group of 87 birds was close enough to record some collar details of birds caught in recent years.

Another group of visitors to the area was a small group of  Whooper Swans. They are not unusual at this time of year but always a pleasure to look at when they appear.