11th November
News & Online Editor
A RECORD number of barnacle geese
have arrived at RSPB Scotland's Mersehead reserve in Dumfries and Galloway this
autumn – 11,070 – rising from their 2016 peak of 10,035.
RSPB Scotland described the
numbers as a 'great sign' that the Solway population of barnacle geese is
continuing to recover, after hitting a low point of only around 400 birds just
after the Second World War.
Barnacle geese are black and
white birds, with a call a bit like a dog barking, which winter at sites around
the Solway before returning to their Arctic breeding grounds 2000 miles away in
Svalbard in the spring.
Eagle-eyed nature lovers may also
spot one or two white geese in with the flock at Mersehead, which are barnacle
geese with a condition called leucism. Similar to albinism, these leucistic
birds have extremely pale, almost white plumage, but unlike true albino birds,
which are extremely rare in the wild, they have black eyes, beaks and legs.
Only two leucistic barnacle geese have been seen at Mersehead this autumn,
though in previous years up to four have been recorded.
RSPB Scotland warden at
Mersehead, Rowena Flavelle, said: “It’s great to see the geese back, and
fantastic to see the population doing so well. We always look forward to seeing
them on the reserve, and when you hear them coming in, you know that autumn has
well and truly arrived.
No comments:
Post a Comment