From what I can tell this is the only spot on the Moray Firth that the Brent feed over the winter; so what is it that attracts them back year after year? The group is always a small one; the most I have seen is around 60. On Friday I counted 35. They find plenty to keep them occupied along the coastline and are far enough away from the dog walkers to be too bothered.
It may be a bit sad and anoraky of me, but I was really excited when I saw them yesterday! I thought they decided to ignore Nairn this winter! So keep your eye out for them as you walk along the shoreline, particularly at low tide. They are one of the easier geese to identify, although with their black and white features, they could be confused with Canada Geese. These birds are smaller than Canada Geese and have a very tell-tale white spot on their neck to really give them away.
On the subject of identification of geese: I find that grey geese are very difficult to get to grip with. Pinkfoot or Greylag? Well, the 1,000 or so geese in the field near the airport are Greylag. The best way to tell is the size and colour of the head and neck; but if you do not have a telescope to hand to help spot the difference, just listen to the call. The Greylag honks like a farm goose! The Pinkfoot has a more delicate ‘wink wink’ sound.
By the way, I notice that a small flock of Dunlin (or are they Knot?!) are resting on the sandbar at the harbour along with the Redshank. They make for a great display when they all set off at the same time; flashing grey and white as they twist and turn in low flight.
Here's to a health 2011 and plenty of happy bird watching!
Seamus
was out yesterday along the back road to the howford bridge saw two birds of prey but could not get near to them to get a photo as they just took off. on sunday on our way to elgin we spotted 7 of them
ReplyDeleteHi there. If they are large birds of prey, I suspect that they were Buzzards. Very plentiful around here, sitting on fence posts, trees and telegraph poles, or soaring above your head.
ReplyDeletehi yea they would have been buzzards this was the most i had seen for a while. we sometimes see them if we are going to inverness. and their was about 5 around the allotment for while must be lots of food about for them. just wish i could get a photo of one but can not get near enough to one.
ReplyDeleteI often see buzzards sitting on a fence post as I drive by. Sometimes I slow down and go back to get a good look - but it is following my every move! If I come to a standstill, even some distance away, it flies off to cover in the trees! They are very cautious birds and rightly wary of human interaction. We just have to be a bit quicker to get a picture!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I noticed loads of Greylag (I think) in the same fields along the A96 again. I spotted three Whooper Swans among them today as I drove passed.
yes i found that as well just could not get anywere near one a case of going out early and waiting for them. heard one while we were checking the allotment but did not see it.
ReplyDeleteHi report of a puffin sighting off Nairn, lots of hits coming to the Gurn from a kayaking forum site after a recent picture was uploaded.
ReplyDeleteItem three on this forum describes the sighting
http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=72373
Thanks for that. I'll send the sighting on to the recorder for our district, and I'll keep my telescope trained on the area! We do get sightings of the othera Auks, (Razorbill or Guillemots) off shore here, but the Puffin would be very unusual (but it's colourful bill would give it away!). By the way; it was good to see the picture of the Goldeneye that you posted on The Gurn last weekend. Excellent shot.
ReplyDeleteWe were delighted to see about 50 - 60 Brent geese feeding along the shoreline at Nairn west beach last sunday (18th Feb). Also saw a lone male goldeneye on Sanquhar loch in Forres the previous weekend.
ReplyDeleteYes, isn't it great to see them in Nairn. They've been around since October, and should be here until sometime in April, whey will head off to their breeding grounds in Svalbard (a Norwegian Island in the Artic Circle), before then returning to us in October. These geese can always be seen around the Moray Firth - from Whiteness to Lossie. They are one of very few geese that rest on the water, waiting for the tide to reduce so that they can feed in the rock pools - and the best ones are by the Nairn Golf course!
DeleteYes, isn't it great to see them in Nairn. They've been around since October, and should be here until sometime in April, whey will head off to their breeding grounds in Svalbard (a Norwegian Island in the Artic Circle), before then returning to us in October. These geese can always be seen around the Moray Firth - from Whiteness to Lossie. They are one of very few geese that rest on the water, waiting for the tide to reduce so that they can feed in the rock pools - and the best ones are by the Nairn Golf course!
ReplyDelete