Fresh update on spring migration

Pleased to report that all of our birds caught and tagged in October 2019 are showing up in Denmark/Sweden

Tags 18, 27 and 24 are at Pandrup Denmark whilst Tags 20 and 39 are further north at Saffle in Sweden

There have also been an additional late sightings on the plateau of birds being seen

On 05 February 2 were seen at Oakersdyke and today 07th 1 was seen in the company of 80 Pinkfeet near Easter Jawcraig.

Only Tag30 is not showing so battery possibly low or having a rest. It has done this before in recent years.

Fresh Update on Slamannan- taiga bean goose flock

It would appear that all of our birds have left Slamannan. Nil seen of them over the past couple of days.

Unfortunately only three tags are showing. 20 and 39 still at Saffle Sweden but Tag18 has gone to Pandrup in Denmark where they normally stage when they leave Slamannan. See map below and a wee reminder of Tag18 (Ad female) when caught on 24 October 2019.

New Update from Saffle Sweden

The two tagged birds 39 & 20 have now joined up after being separated since Leaving Slamannan in early January.

Map attached shows the two birds in the same location NE of Saffle Sweden

Bean Geese: update: Tag20 now moved to Sweden

Further news this weekend. Tag20 has moved from its position in Denmark to almost join up with Tag39.

They would appear to be in different bays but not far from each other. Two maps attached to assist you with the new information.

New update on Tag39 in Sweden

We have managed to confirm that Tag39 is part of a flock of 33 bean geese which may well be part of our flock.

Very interesting to get this news from a fieldworker in Sweden. Thanks Don for your observations.

Today Tag39 and others? have moved back south. Map below. Reasons may be that they have insufficient food or decided to return to Pandrup in Denmark. Watch this space for future updates.

We have been unsuccessful in finding out if Tag20 in Denmark has others with him as it turns out to be an area that is well used by migrating geese and sounds like the Slamannan Plateau with undulating fields with plenty of contours where birds can hide from prying eyes. 

Early spring update on the Slamannan flock

We still have a one bird in Sweden, one bird in Denmark. There be others with them but no details have emerged as yet. A flock of c180 birds still in the Slamannan area.

There has been a constant stream of birders looking at the birds this past wee while and I would like to request that you don't 'love' the birds to bits. In otherwise give them some space to settle into feeding up for their migration to Denmark and beyond.

We have had plenty of photographs taken too which is always nice as long as you are using a telephoto lens and not encroaching to near the feeding birds. Attached tag picture as of today.

We have received a handsome donation this week to assist our group with the purchase of new tags.

At the moment tags cost in the region of £1200 which includes a years monitoring charges.

If you, or a group that you are involved with would like to consider something similar, please get in touch with me. Even a small donation can help with this type of project.

angus.maciver184@gmail.com

Happy birding in 2020

New update on spring migration of Tag 39

Just when we thought we had seen it all this bird has surprised us by heading off further north into south Sweden (Saffle) which is a staging post for part of the Slamannan flock.

Interestingly too we have had information from this area from someone known to our group that it was the first time in his memory that there was no snow on the ground at that location in January and temperatures so far above 0 deg celcius. Climate change indeed.

Tag20 remains where it landed further south in Denmark on 6th January (map Below)