A very large skein of geese flew over us in the wee hours of this morning........surely this is not the greylags or pinkfooted geese returning for winter already, its only mid August? They were flying south of Inverness towards Loch Ruthven direction. Anyone know if this is likely or are they UK residents?
The geese have been arriving back to Caerlaverock over the past ten days or so, Reportedly quite early
All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy. Spike Milligan
We have carried out a full goose roost count this morning and there were a minimum of 60626 pink footed geese leaving the roost. This is the fourth highest count ever from the reserve. I wonder how many more are left to come!
Dom
Sorry should have said that we were counting at Loch of Strathbeg!
Unknown said: We have carried out a full goose roost count this morning and there were a minimum of 60626 pink footed geese leaving the roost.
We have carried out a full goose roost count this morning and there were a minimum of 60626 pink footed geese leaving the roost.
Wow!! Have never seen that many geese together! Must be some sight (and sound!!)
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
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I'd love to know how the count is executed with that many as it's mind-boggling (I assume it isn't some poor soul with a "clicker-counter" ☺).
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Ditto Squirrel! I've always wondered that! We have a log book in the hide at the local reserve and often people write quite specific numbers, and I wonder how they can do this! If I had a go, it would be 60,000 geese +/- 1,000!!! ;-)
I have been seeing skeins of geese flying over while on my way to and from work on the Solway coast (Cumbrian side) this week and last, also several swans this morning. Makes me a bit of a hazard on the road, hanging out the window watching them...
Do swans move about more at this time of the year? (Excuse my ignorance.)
Terry in Cumbria
Hi Terry
At this time of year swans are certainly starting to move through. Here at Loch of Strathbeg in north east corner of Scotland our wintering whooper swans are starting to appear in small numbers - we had 58 on Monday afternoon and this will increase until mid November, last years peak count was just over 900 roosting on the Loch. Our mute swan flock on the other hand is starting to disperse, we get 400+ on the Loch to moult in late summer and early autumn but by mid September they are starting to move further south for the winter.
Thank you, Dominic, I never saw many swans flying when I lived in Hertfordshire, then I moved to Cumbria and there were lots, especially now I work in Silloth overlooking the Solway. Also many geese of course, we're just opposite Caerlaveroch.
Yesterday 29th September saw a lot of Geese action again. Several skeins flying over us.Thank you everybody for your comments ........they all help to build a picture for me of what is happening.I must admit i feel a little excited when I hear their cries overhead........such a spectacle!