my husband and I went for a lovely walk yesterday, from Dell Quay to Fishbourne (Chichester Harbour, Sussex). We saw our first flocks of godwits flying over the mudflats and a single barnacle goose grazing in a field at the edge of a large flock of canada and brent geese. I see they are on the amber list so is this an unusual sighting?
green fingers and muddy boots everyday!
Hi Celia,
Sorry if this is faintly disappointing but there are now small populations of 'feral' barnacle geese in southern England. The natural wild range of these lovely geese is a long long way to the north of Chichester Harbour so in all likelihood this was not a 'lost' wild bird, but a feral one - a bit like the Canada's it was feeding with!
But still, they are decorative aren't they?!
Best wishes,
Colin
Hi Colin
thanks for the info. The barnacle certainly stood out in the crowd and was a very fine chap.
Thanks again.
Celia
Hi,
there used to be a large (40+) feral flock at PuckPool Park on the Isle of Wight - an odd sight flying along the beach in June !
S
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