Update on Bean Geese flock Slamannan

In recent days most of the birds have been feeding to the north of Parkhead Farm.

The recent cold weather and some snow has not been a bother to them and they continue to feed away quite easily.

Saw a nice female Sparrowhawk today skirting around the field near where the bean geese were feeding. Needless to say they never lifted their heads.

No Pinkfeet flocks have arrived in the area yet to feed although roosting is taking place on Loch Elrig or Gardrum Moss. Well worth a visit to this area at dawn or dusk.

Update on recent location of bean goose flock

Two flocks were found today totaling 164 birds.

One flock of c70 birds was beside the main Slamannan to Falkirk road just north of the Dyke Farm

The other flock comprising c94 birds was to the north of Parkhead Farm Slamannan.

 Pictures below are courtesy of John Nadin who visited the plateau recently

The top picture shows the geese in an 'alert' posture which would normally indicate that they were aware of the photographer.

The picture below shows them in a much more relaxed mode possibly due to the sunlight which often can shine in their eyes making the viewer less distinct.

Update on Bean Geese flock at Slamannan 24/10/2016

The bean geese have now began their usual winter routine of breaking up into different groups and moving about separately within their wintering area.

Sadly one of the juvenile birds that was caught last year with two other siblings has not returned this winter. (photo below)

The highest count is still at 216 but I have a suspicion it is actually higher. Hopefully further field counts will confirm this.

Roosting is still largely taking place at the Fannyside Lochs area.

Large numbers of Pinkfeet are presently roosting on Loch Elrig or the nearby Gardrum Moss.
Also of interest is the large numbers of Canada Geese (c250) roosting on Gardrum Moss
There was also c100 Canada Geese seen recently at East Fannyside Loch roost site.

News Update on Bean Goose flock at Slamannan

A large bean goose flock was seen at Luckenburn this morning.

Approximately 200 birds present in the flock. Estimate of flock size at present is in the region of 216 birds.

If anyone reads collar codes please advise me of what you see and when and where. Thanks.

Bean Geese arrival at Slamannan

A large bean goose flock left south coast of Norway at 1200 on 2 October and came ashore south of Berwick and north of Seahouses around 2200 hrs.
It looks like they quickly changed their flight route and re-located to Slamannan as by 0600 they were on the Fannyside Moss roost site.

Observations yesterday confirmed that we had 178 birds back so far and hopefully more to follow.

Still awaiting to see if tag10 has returned but other 'live' tags have made it. This should give us good location information again this winter.

The flock was seen yesterday south of Wester Jawcraig Farm.

News Update on Slamannan Bean Goose flock

There have been no positive sightings of bean geese in the Slamannan area so far this autumn.

On checking the blog of Simon the Oslo birder today on his return from a birding trip to the Lofoten Islands he has checked out the bean geese flock and found the same group of birds in residence.

He has posted some pictures of same and they can be seen at oslobirder.blogspot.co.uk

I would imagine that our geese would wait for favourable winds and weather conditions before deciding to move.

The westerly gales that we have at present are not conducive for geese flying the north sea to Scotland.

Bean Geese Update 21 September 2016

I have had a drive around the Slamannan Plateau this week and all of the fields are looking in good condition for the return of our flock from Norway.

I checked the bean goose website this afternoon and see that our birds with live collars are still NE of Oslo next to the Glomma River where they go in the autumn after visiting Denmark.

Their is high pressure over Scandanavia at present which might encourage them to move but will depend on wind directions.