Any exciting Goose arrivals in the Bay yet?

This was a question posed by Original Goldfinch in another discussion, but I figured it deserved it's own one!

I haven't had, or heard any exciting goose or swan reports yet, apart from Billc (one of the Wigtown Bay Osprey volunteers) who saw an Australian Black Swan last Tuesday (13th) from the Wigtown Bay LNR Wetland Hide; although I severely doubt it was a lost migrant from Down Under, more likely a local feral bird!

I have heard that Caerlaverock have had the start of the Pink Footed Geese arrive, and that Mersehead are immanently expecting the return of the Barnacles. We'll let you know how things develop, I'm sure that Paul the Warden of the Crook of Baldoon Reserve will be posting his news on here soon...

This year the joint Goose related conservation organisations have decided to have the Dumfries and Galloway Wild Goose Chase all Winter rather than just for the month of March, so Goose Walks, Talks and Events will be going on all winter throughout the region.

The details of the first of these events can be found at the new Dumfries and Galloway Wild Seasons website http://www.wildseasons.co.uk/ including two Gaggles of Geese fun days at the Wigtown Bay Visitor Centre,  a Crook of Baldoon Guided Walk with Paul the Warden on Thursday 27th October, and the RSPB's National Feed the Birds Day event on Sunday 30th October in the Wigtown County Buildings. Click on the website link for details of all these events and many more.