Christmas saw the start of what has become a mass influx of Russian White-fronted Geese (WFG) into the country. For much of this year so far, the wind has come from the east, particularly so in the first days of February. The combination of this easterly flow and lowering temperatures on the Continent has resulted in huge numbers of these geese building up across Britain, culminating in what is best described as staggering.
A couple of examples of these numbers are, a flock of WFG in West Midlands increased over three days, from 5 birds to 305, but this count was soon buried by a flock nearer to home, by that of an estimated 507 WFG at Pilling Moss in Lancashire on Sunday 8 February.
Cockersand Goose Fest.
I'll start my share of experience of this unprecedented event, with the record of a Tundra Bean Goose at Cockersand 7 February. Found and photographed by Tom Parkinson, and was accompanied by 138 Russian White-fronted Geese. Thanks for this Tom, much appreciated.
Cockersand Monday 9 February.
Nothing pleasant about the weather, dull with a cold wind, when I went to Cockersand today. Otherwise I would refer to the experience as, brilliant birds in staggering numbers.
There has been a range of varying numbers recorded over recent days, but personal counts today were, totals of 35 White-fronted Geese, 61 Barnacle Geese, and an estimate of up to 1,000 Pink-footed Geese.
