Bean Geese have arrived back in their wintering area near Slamannan central Scotland

 I am pleased to report that the advance party of birds have arrived. First seen on 30 September 2022 at Oakersdyke Farm near Slamannan. Thanks go to Alan Johnstone for his observation of 30 birds just near his steading. 

My first sighting was on 02 October with a flock of 63 birds present at Luckenburn Farm. (see note below)

A visit today at 0920 - 03 October by my colleague Billy Thomson saw a reduced size group of 12 birds including one collared bird (V6) which is a female caught and ringed in 2013.

It has been noted today too that bean geese have moved south from Saffle in Sweden and Tag20 heading towards Denmark. (see pic below)

This probably means that we can expect more birds to arrive here if given suitable weather/wind conditions. 

Note re stopping at Luckenburn Farm to view bean geese. 

We receive complaints from time to time by the farmers here about cars stopping or parking at the entrance to the steading.  

Please, please stay away from the farm track and park up elsewhere remembering to be safe on this busy country road. 

Fascinating pictures from nest site of Tags 39/20 Jamtlands Sweden

 Thanks to the efforts of Adjan de Jong who explored the bean goose breeding area this year we have two good shots of the nest site. (pictures attached courtesy of Adjan). Fascinating pictures and what a reward for Adjan's work.

                                                     Broken egg shells still present in nest.

                  

News of autumn migration starting

 Yesterday I noted that two of our tags (39 and 20) have moved south in Sweden to the Lake Brosjon area. 

This is a regular staging post for half of our flock before they cross the north sea to Slamannan. 

This pair I believe have bred this year and we may get some information from Lake Brosjon as we have a contact in that area who monitors our geese when they use this staging post. 

This is the pair of birds that have spent the last two winters in Pandrup, Denmark and we are presuming that they will stop over again. Time will tell. 

Below 39,20 and three juvs.

Pictures courtesy of Dan Mangsbro

 

Update from Dan on 26 August. 123 adults (including collar V6, 39, 20) and 15 juveniles. Families with 4+3+3+2+2+1 juveniles each. 12%young (similar to last two years at Slamannan. 

Update on some of our tagged birds in Sweden

 We have now got information thanks to Adjan in Sweden who has explored the breeding area to search for clues to what has occurred during the breeding season. 

Sadly Tag18 was predated and its tag well and truly broken up.

Tag24  has been broken off the bird, possibly by itself. Hopefully winter observations may confirm that it is still alive if we can identify its leg ring. 

Tag27 has also has a broken collar and might lose it in the fullness of time. Another one to look out for this coming winter. 

Update from Dalarna County Sweden

 It appears our pair (Tags 39 & 20) have bred successfully and are now roaming the forest areas where the bred.

Our other female Tag18 possibly bred too but her fate since then is questionable. Information from the tag has shown it has either fallen off the bird or the bird has been killed. 

I will update you when/if further information becomes available.

News from Dalarna County Sweden

 We have been able to confirm today that one of our bean geese, tag 39 ( a female) appears to be sitting on a nest. This bird (pictured below) was one of five birds caught and ringed on 24th October 2019 at Luckenburn Farm.

For the last two years it and its mate Tag20 caught at the same time have wintered in Denmark. 

In due course we may find out if its breeding attempt has been successful. 

Spring Migration - Update

 Our two flocks of Taiga Bean Geese are still on schedule for their migration to Dalarna County in Sweden where they breed. 

The flock in Sweden are still in the area near Saffle with roosting taking place at Lake Brosjon

The other flock are still in Norway but have moved from Akershus to the Glomma River beside Braskereidfoss. 

All of our GPS trackers are working which is great news, we await further movements north in due course.