Thursday, March 31, 2011

Routine goose count. 29.3.2011.

The first of what will probably be the final four days of goose counting this winter, two of them being next week. The geese seem to be a little restless and certainly some of the Barnacle Geese appear to be forming "packs" prior to departure but, generally, everything seemed to be as normal. The Greenland White-fronted Geese at this time of year always look absolutely stunning and it's certainly the best time to see them at their most pristine, the splendid weather of the day helping in this respect.

Covering a large chunk of the northern part of the island we didn't actually see much else of particular note. A few Northern Wheatear were on some of the open ,higher pastures as their numbers very gradually build. As I returned home the small party of Light-bellied Brent Geese fed at the head of Loch Indaal, very often these being some of the very last to leave in May, when we can also get birds "calling in" following them having already completed part of their journey from further south in Ireland.

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