looduskalender.ee

 

Migrating flock of barnacle geese.

 

 

Antti Karlin reports that on  Thursday Sept 6^th  the largest ever migration of barnacle geese was seen in East Finland:

http://www.iltasanomat.fi/kotimaa/art-1288505230153.html (in Finnish)

 

Here the migration was still modest on Friday but there are arrivals. The plumage of barnacle geese is silvery grey, with black and white bars. From the crop at about shoulder height and up to the top of the head the plumage is glossy black, forehead and cheeks white. Their calls during migration are husky, reminding of dogs yapping.

 

Because of the long-term hunting ban passing migrants in autumn have become ever more numerous. There are enough barnacle goose flocks for fields and hayfields and the coastal meadows and a smaller number stay here to feed until snow falls.

 

Barnacle geese in strong wind on Friday looking for landing ground near the Paunküla lakes.