Greenland White-fronted Geese are a localised winter visitor to Scotland. Orkney has only one site where it is still possible to encounter this distinctive goose. A medium-sized grey goose with orange legs and an orange bill; adults have a large white blaize surrounding the base of the bill and bold black bars on the belly. Juveniles lack this black barring and generally show less white surround at the bill base.
Whilst out on site last week carrying out the monthly Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) at The Loons RSPB reserve RSPB staff had a close encounter with a flock of 75 Greenland White-fronted Geese near The Loons hide at Birsay. At this time of year just prior to returning Greenland they can often be found near the roadside fields near Linnabreck HY248246. Alternatively, these birds can be seen below Yonbell Hill, opposite the listening wall at The Loons..
Greenland White-fronted Geese arrive on the Scottish north and west coasts in October, leaving again in April. During winter, the birds feed mainly on improved grasslands, eating grass and clover. Quite often, when they arrive back in Greenland, the ground is still covered in deep snow. They have to wait, sometimes several weeks, for the snow to melt before they can begin breeding. In recent years, between 50 - 80 Greenland White-fronted Geese have been wintering on Orkney mainly feeding around The Loons RSPB Reserve on Orkney. Included within this flock is a rather special individual with an interesting life history as it is wearing a neck collar originally fitted in Ireland during the winter of 2003/04.
Neck-collared individual - N8H N8H was caught in Wexford, Eire during winter 2003/4, subsequently seen on the island of Islay in Argyll during the winters of 2005/06, & 2006/07, then at The Loons RSPB Reserve, on Orkney annually since 2007/08. This individual was seen again this winter for its’ eleventh year on Orkney. This bird is at least 16 years old as it was ringed as an adult in 2003/04. Unfortunately, the small wintering population is still only just hanging on but, given the world population was estimated at 20,500 individuals this species is struggling across its’ range and breeding productivity is low.