I'm new here so forgive me if this has already been a topic of discussion!
I live in Edinburgh and I'm sure there have been a lot more geese around this year than on previous years - both on the ground and in flocks flying overhead. Is this just because of the bad weather this year? And, where are they flying in from at this time of year (late December)?
I walk my dogs on Craigentinny golf course (near the beach) every day and there has been a flock of about 100 greylags there, in two groups of about 50 each (roughly). I don't remember seeing geese on the golf course before so I wondered again if it is just because of the bad weather or whether there are just generally more around this year?
Any comments/answers welcome!
Hi doodlemum
Welcome to the forum.
Can't answer your question I'm afraid but watch this space, someone will surely come up with the answer very soon.
Must be lovely to see so many geese - although can't imagine the golfers are that happy, must play havoc with their swing!!
BTW Going by your name and your avatar - I'm guessing you have a Labradoodle - lovely lovely dogs.
Regards
Kerry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kezmo6310/
Overwintering geese will have regular routes between feeding and roosting areas. so it could be simply that a change in their regular habitat (better/worse feeding perhaps) forces a change in thier movement or density in any one given area.
Check out this link to find your county bird recorder - they should be able to tell you if there has been a increase on a regional level: http://www.bto.org/birdtrack/bird_recording/county_bird_recorder.htm