The geese are returning. Winter drawers on!

[mickledore]

Every morning this week we have opened the curtains and the sky is full of skeins of pink feet returning from the high arctic. We don't need to open the curtains we can hear them when we are lying in bed. (Southern townies would probably shoot them for making too much noise!) It is quite humbling to know that they can fly vast distances and navigate all by themselves. This morning it has been very foggy but still they come and still they get to the right place.

Same thing happens every year at this time. A wonderfull spectacle, but we know that it is time to get the winter woolies out as another year is drawing to an end.

Soon there will be upwards of 20,000 on the local reserve. Caerlaverock and Slimbridge must be filling up too. Pink feet, greylags, Barnacles, and several varieties of swans. Aren't birds great?

 

[Brachytron]

I've got my 600mm ready and primed (pun intended) and several trips to suitable spots all planned. Unfortunately, I am not as lucky as you - my closest decent site is Welney 1.5 hours drive and then Cley Marsh 2.5hours drive.

 

[gramps]

Barnacle and Greylag Geese are certainly making their presence felt at Slimbridge

 

[mickledore]

I've got my 600mm ready and primed (pun intended) and several trips to suitable spots all planned. Unfortunately, I am not as lucky as you - my closest decent site is Welney 1.5 hours drive and then Cley Marsh 2.5hours drive.

That's a bummer. We're only 20 minutes from Martin Mere, and the fields round here are all full of pink feet eating the stubble.

 

[mickledore]

Barnacle and Greylag Geese are certainly making their presence felt at Slimbridge

Lots of Barnacles at Caerlaverock too. Unfortunately Autumn Watch is coming from there so that will be a no go area until the Packham groupies have had their fill.

 

[rob-nikon]

I've got my 600mm ready and primed (pun intended) and several trips to suitable spots all planned. Unfortunately, I am not as lucky as you - my closest decent site is Welney 1.5 hours drive and then Cley Marsh 2.5hours drive.

I'm about the same distance too, I'm planning a few trips this year, mainly to Welney and one to Snettisham. Sadly there are no good high tides between November and January for the wader spectualar, thats going to make February busy. There is of course the pink-footed geese during December to make up for it.

 

[rob-nikon]

That's a bummer. We're only 20 minutes from Martin Mere, and the fields round here are all full of pink feet eating the stubble.

I would love to be that close to Martins Mere, its somewhere I've thought of visiting for a while.

 

[Tringa]

A few nights ago I was out the back looking at the moon and stars when two groups of what I think were pink foots went over. I could not see them but from their calls I'd say they were pink foots and on Saturday morning there were five Whooper swan gently floating around on Loch Gairloch. I assume they had flown in overnight and were resting up a bit. Always good to hear geese in flight and see birds returning for the winter.

Dave

 

[Brachytron]

I'm about the same distance too, I'm planning a few trips this year, mainly to Welney and one to Snettisham. Sadly there are no good high tides between November and January for the wader spectualar, thats going to make February busy. There is of course the pink-footed geese during December to make up for it.

Looks like you are close to me (I'm Northants). Might see you at Welney on good weather days.