During the weekend of 25th/26th February, staff and volunteers attempted to census the number of geese on Orkney at that point in time using the road network and attempting to cover all suitable habitats. The result which were compiled by Eric Meek are shown below.
February 2012
December 2011
December 2010
North Ronaldsay
1267
314
1244
Sanday
5326
4260
3830
Westray
2370
980
1520
Papa Westray
1233
1348
1504
Eday
1673
1635
1135
Stronsay
5979
6309
7221
Rousay
2043
403
1198
Egilsay
576
232
864
Wyre
262
40
532
Shapinsay
6180
4154
7895
West Mainland
31382
26452
24878
East Mainland
11808
16264
17440
Burray
391
252
1637
South Ronaldsay
6555
6200
7400
Hoy & Walls
468
1890
2045
Flotta
n/c
401
TOTALS
77513
70733
80744
Other goose speciesrecorded
Pink-footed Goose
Tundra Bean Goose
European W-f Goose
G’l’d W-f Goose
Barnacle Goose
P-b Brent
6
67
1
2
10
11
3
30
7
47
494
1982
49
56
22
1938
75
290
1852
4454
8
250
57
2175
4
The numbers of Greylags are not that surprising given the increasing ‘resident’ and wintering Icelandic populations. However, the numbers of Eurasian White-fronted geese is a reflection of the large numbers that arrived unusually in the UK in early winter, along with some Bean Geese from the continent.
Eurasian White-fronted Goose – Photo - Morris Rendall
The Pink-footed goose number of 4,454 shows that greater numbers of this species are using Orkney as a stopover enroute back north to Iceland. About a third of that number winter on Orkney currently.
Greylag Geese – A collared family group near Marwick. Photo - Morris Rendall
During the past four years members of Orkney Ringing Group have been marking some of the ‘resident’ Greylags with orange neck collars to monitor movements, productivity and build up individual life histories, so far over 500 have been marked. Given the issues/conflicts with this species it is hoped by marking some of the population we will learn more about them and hopefully inform future debates on management of the species. Approx. 95% of Greylags marked stay within 5km of their breeding/natal areas. What we did not expect was an annual winter migration of birds bred or breeding on Orkney to winter in East Anglia! For the fourth winter in a row a small number (five in 2011/12) have been seen down south and just this evening I have had another report of a bird in the Loch Lomond area with 100 Greenland White-fronted Geese! Interesting stuff...