Good flocks of Barnacle and Pink-footed Geese can be seen on the pastures and saltmarshes of the Solway Estuary throughout January and February. Although Barnacles arrive in their thousands here on the Solway from Spitsbergen in mid October and stay at least until the end of March and beyond - the Pinks only stop off briefly in autumn on their way south east to the root crops and stubble fields of Lincolnshire and East Anglia, but start to return again in January, with more coming in as they gradually move back north, until the beginning of April.
Below are some records for January so far.
7th January.
Westerly gale most of the day - viewed from Campfield Marsh.
A ragged flock of Barnacles as they battled against the wind in rounding Scargavel Point.
8th January.
The gale had abated somewhat and small flocks of Barnacles could be seen flying west throughout the day at Campfield.
14th January.
It had snowed overnight and was much warmer than it had been of late . As the tide was making mid afternoon, we came across about 300 Barnacles bathing and resting in the middle of the mudflats on the Wampool Estuary near Anthorn.
Barnacles repositioning themselves as the tide flooded in.
16th January.
It had been frosty overnight with a dusting of snow early morning. Although sunny mid-morning onwards, it remained cold all day. Geese were on the move around the Cardurnock Peninsula.
CARDURNOCK
We came upon a flock of about 700 Barnacles including 3 leucistics bathing in the floodwater and grazing on the estuary meadows just south of Cardurnock at 12.45 pm. We watched them as they grazed contentedly back and forth across these two fields for about an hour - still being there when we left.
Barnacles bathing and grazing on flooded meadow.
Barnacles grazing estuary pastures - with a dusting of snow topping Criffel in the background.
One of the leucistic Barnacles amongst the flock.
The three leucistics periodically grazed together.
Barnacle with red tag on right leg - looks like a letter P as far as we can make out.
Occasionally the whole flock would take to the air and reposition itself further along the meadow.
Landing near the block houses.
Although their heads came up, these dog walker did not essentially disturb them as they carried on feeding afterwards.
They were peacefully settled down as we left.
CAMPFIELD MARSH RSPB RESERVE.
A flock of about 300 mixed Barnacle and Pinkfooted Geese were observed grazing the wet meadows to the east of the hide at 1.30 pm - by Joe Murphy and Urisa Reungsuwan. Thanks for sending your record photos Urisa.
Flock looking east from the hide. Credit.- Urisa Reungsuwan.
Credit - Urisa Reungsuwan.
19th January
At 4pm, a large flock of Barnacles (some 2000 or more) could be seen flying round the Wampool Estuary. They eventually landed out on the mudflats which were still uncovered by the tide. Some had already made their way up onto the salmarsh to graze. Other small flocks joined them as the making tide pushed them up onto the marsh.
Flock flying around the estuary.
They eventually settled out on the mudflats and some quickly made their way onto the saltmarsh to graze.
Barnacles piling up onto the saltmarsh.
Another small flock flying in to join them.
The sun was setting as the tide started to make.