Thurs 29th Oct

An image taken a few years ago of the "Goose team" in full swing. This morning we were able to carry out the job for this year. We managed to catch 40 birds in all, of which 3 were retraps from previous years. Steve has been carrying out this work for25 years now and reckons that he has rung over 4,000 birds in all. There are still some of the birds that he rung 20 years ago still around. This year's geese also have a red ring on their left leg along with the BTO ring, so allowing the year of ringing to be seen quicker!

Also today, I got the first tally of the present Goose counts carried out by SNH here on Islay. The figures were 39,783 Barnies and 1,740 Whitefronts, the Barnies are only slightly down on last years' figures in October, but the Whitefronts numbers are well down. Could this possibly be due to milder weather, and a possible reason for them not coming here yet? Thanks to Tracey and the team for the figures.

Wed 11th March

Going over to Bowmore today, it was an odd sighting at the top of Loch Indaal that happens occasionally through the winter. That is, that with the tide out, or even partially out there were a lot of Barnacle Geese roosting up through the day, rather than being away grazing on the fields. The most probable reason behind this, is that there was an almost full moon last night and geese had been grazing through the night, so that their bellies were full and no need to go looking for more food!

Speaking of Geese, and Tracey e mailed in the tally for last week's Goose count, which totaled 36,631 Barnies and 6,521 Whitefronts. Thanks again for the figures folks.