Last summer, 05/07/2009 to be exact, I was at the main flood hide taking pictures of Greylags flying in on a very bright day. Some of these photo's are on my Flickr page. A friend from that site and this, when looking through them later, informed me that one may be a Bean Goose. Teach me to look closer!! If it is a Beanie it would be my first so there is the question. Bean or not Bean? (picture two)
Any and all help welcome here!
John :-)
For viewing or photography right place right time is everything. I'd rather be in the right place with poor kit than have the best kit and be in the wrong place.
Hi John
Sorry nobody's replied to your post sooner.
I'm no goose expert, but to me it looks like a pink-footed goose. The pink bill and, er, feet point towards this, rather than bean goose, which has orange legs and orange on a slightly longer bill.
These 'grey' geese can be very tricky to identify - they all look the same to me at first glance!
Keep up the good work!
Katie
Thanks Katie,
The question has had some response on the main forum,
http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/forums/p/13056/94253.aspx#94253
Some debate as you see! If it was not for the size of the bird and bill, I would be with you but I'm still unsure.
Thanks again
There has not been a Bean for about 5 years at Loch Leven!
You can see this species at Slamanan Plateux. Fantastic birds as are Greylag and Pink-feet!
I'd give up all this wildlife watching for a season ticket for my beloved Bristol Rovers