Geese!

Went out to Hjälstaviken last weekend. Most waders have left by now, with only the occasional Spotted Redshank, Dunlin and Ringed Plover left. Oh, and a few hundred Ruffs. No, this is the time of the geese. Maybe 5000 Greylags, 6000 Bean Geese and 3000 Barnacle Geese could be seen, and amongst them we could pick out one or two White-fronted Geese and Pink-footed Geese. Also 33 Lesser White-fronted Geese, of which 7 were juvenile, were a nice sight. Unfortunately the one breeding with a Barnacle is still at large, producing more hybrids. Six such hybrids have been seen this year.


Mixed flock of geese (mostly Barnacle) being scared into the air by the Peregrine or an Eagle.

An adult male Peregrine hunted for several minutes in front of the bird tower, very nice. Didn't see that many White-tailed Eagles this time, the weather wasn't the best for them.
Bluethroats seem to have passed by as well, only saw one on the way out. Tried to find some Red-throated Pipits or Lapland Buntings, but no luck. Lots of Goldfinches though.


Barnacle Geese (Branta leucopsis)