Good news from Slamannan

On Friday 24th after a wait of many hours a small team managed to catch 5 bean geese. We have not managed any catches the last two years so this was a good team effort.

We are indebted to Derek Hunter and family at Luckenburn Farm for their cooperation in allowing us access to their fields.

We caught 3 adult males and two adult females.

All birds are in good health after being caught and transmitters now sending back location information.

Tag numbers are as follows: 18, 20, 24, 27 and 39

In addition to collars all birds have small white tags on their right legs to help with identification

The catch team l to R : Carl Mitchell, Larry Griffin, Richard Moore and self taking the picture.

Bean Goose Update

Nothing in particular to report other than a roost count near Slamannan yesterday confirmed that we have c200 birds in the area.

A flock of up to 100 Pinkfeet have found the wheat field at Hillend Farm next to the River Avon. The crop has only been partially cropped leaving plenty of food for geese. Flooding in the field too has made it difficult for the farmer to harvest.

No sign yet on the plateau of wintering thrushes (Fieldfare & Redwing)

Tag30 above 

Tag30 is still an active tag and reports several times a day on its location. It was an adult female when caught in 2015 and still gives us very good information on a daily basis on its whereabouts.

Fresh Update on the Slamannan flock

Their has been an increase in recent days with approx 200 birds now on the plateau.

Feeding so far has mainly concentrated near to Slamannan with odd forays to Beam Farm.

Note:

Can I remind birders not to enter fields or irritate farmers by blocking roads near farm steadings. At Luckenburn Farm please do not park in the main track to the farm. So far this winter the geese have not been seen at Luckenburn.

Your help in these matters are appreciated.

News update on Autumn Migration 2019

Tag30 and probably a flock arrived in Co Durham at 0100 this morning and promptly reoriented themselves to fly to Slamannan by 1600 hrs. Flight maps below: Unbelievable migration flight.

Latest news from tag30 in Norway

Hot off the press today. Tag30 has left the stopover place near Oslo and is now on its way to Slamannan.

It is possible given the winds today that it may arrive tonight or early tomorrow. It all depends on how the northerly winds affect the North Sea crossing and where they landfall in the UK.

Attached map shows location at 1000 this morning.