Good visibility today gave us the opportunity to check up on the flock status. With our birds out in the open and away from long vegetation it was the ideal time to get a better idea of our true flock total.
With the help of one of our team (Billy Thomson) we counted two flocks late pm today. One was of 60 birds and the other 120, giving us the grand total of 180 birds.
This still leaves us short of last years total of over 200 birds but an improvement over recent counts.
Recent pics of our birds below.
There has been no increase in the flock numbers since last commented on. For some weeks now the Slamannan flock have been feeding in a field which conceals many of the birds when trying to count them. Very frustrating for anyone trying to get a handle on numbers but typical of the birds that they can hide from view quite easily in the field vegetation.
Within the last day or so a small group of Canada Geese were also present with them which is quite unusual.
Our birds in Denmark still seem to be happy to stay where they are so we will just have to wait and see if that changes. Below is a map which shows their position near Thisted.
There does not seem to have been any increase in our flock size since last reported at being a maximum estimate of 126
We do know however that two of our birds that were caught at Slamannan last October (Tag 39 & 20) are still in Denmark near Thisted and are in a flock of 300 taiga bean geese. This flock includes an adult white fronted goose which was seen in Sweden at Lake Brosjon during the autumn migration period.
As we have suspected in the past and have some evidence of it occurring some of our birds are liable to stopover in the low countries. Colder weather conditions however may make them cross over into the UK.
Attached are two pics taken this winter on the plateau.
A visit to the plateau on 16 October confirmed that an intake of more birds had arrived in from Norway. Two flocks in different areas gave us a total of approximately 126 birds.
We still have two tagged birds 39 & 20 still in Denmark and looking like they may not return unless perhaps weather gets much colder.
Birds are present north of Oakersdyke to the north of Slamannan but not showing well due to vegetation in the field.
After several negative visits to the plateau in recent days, this morning's visit paid dividends.
With the sun overhead, I arrived at 1045 to find a flock of bean geese in a location to the north of Slamannan.
My first quick count through my scope said 54 on my counter but after several re-counts, I was pleased to see that 75 birds were present.
Surprisingly there no collars to be seen which was disappointing. Due to the distance involved no leg rings were identified either.
Billy Thomson a co bean goose enthusiast who was already in the vicinity at Fannyside Lochs joined me to view the birds.
We returned after 1800 to see which direction or place they had selected to roost at, but heavy rain and poor visibility at 1915 hrs put paid to that.
Picture courtesy of Derek McGinn
Simon Rix has been out looking at the bean geese again yesterday and has published some nice pictures on his blog. (oslobirder.blogspot.co.com) I attach one courtesy of Simon. T8 is well known to us as Simon mentions.
It is well worth looking at his blog to get a real flavour of birding in and around Oslo at this time of the year. You will not be disappointed.
