A pictorial view of where the two flocks of bean geese are at present

 

Update of News from Norway

 Information received from Simon Rix in Norway today confirms that we have a flock of 101 Bean Geese in his area awaiting their final move to Scotland at the end of the month. 

In conjunction with the previous news from Sweden courtesy of Dan Managsbo that they have a flock of 146 birds east of Saffle and the Lake Brosjon location means that we have an approx. total of 247 bean geese ready to winter with us. 

However there is speculation that some of these birds may decide to stay across the north sea in places like Denmark. 

A few of our tagged birds are in both flocks with some juveniles already identified which is helpful at this stage as to what breeding success the birds had in their breeding areas to the north. 

Update on autumn migration

 Fresh news in and confirmed today that Tag27 has arrived on the Glomma river NE of Oslo at 1100hrs.

This is a usual stopping over spot and there will more than likely be a flock here now. Hopefully Simon Rix (oslo birder) will have picked up this information and manage out to see the beans.

Picture of Glomma River location NE of Oslo

Pic of 27 when caught last year.

Fresh Update on Autumn Migration 2020

 News has come in from the area of Lake Brosjon in Sweden of a flock of 146 Bean Geese with four broods of juveniles. 

Of interest to us is that a goose which has not been seen in Scotland since April 2014 (Tag16) is present with a female and four juveniles. (Photo attached courtesy of D. Mangsbo) This bird has lost its original collar but can be identified with the blue ring on its left leg.

This bird has obviously been wintering across the North Sea (possibly in Denmark) which is something we have thought possibly occurs. It would account for our winter bean goose totals fluctuating each winter. 

Fresh Update on Autumn Migration 2020

 Tag27 has also appeared in a southerly location and is north of Oslo. Attached map shows present situation of our birds today.

Autumn Migration has began for 2020

 Several of our birds Tags 20, 39 and 24 have all moved south in Sweden but returned north to Lake Brosjon near Saffle. See picture of movement below.

Late spring/summer news from Sweden

We thought one of our females (39)was on a nest and looked like breeding this year. Sadly after some time in one locality, the weather turned distinctly wintry with fresh snow in the breeding area which probably put an end to that.

In recent weeks 39 and 20 have been in close company throughout their travels just to the north of where the other birds are so they seem to be well bonded.

We have had five collared birds still giving us information on their locations but today three of them have disappeared off the radar. Hopefully, they are well and just lost transmission ability temporarily.