Egyptian Geese in Scotland (1 Viewer)

[sueKay]

Hi there!

(note - newbie...so I don't know if this is the right place for this)

I live at Loch Lomond, and a few days ago noticed three geese that I'd never seen before in the river of my village. Did some research and it turns out they're Egyptian Geese.

Thing is...According to the RPSB, they're only found in East Anglia, and while I know that birds can get a bit off-course...it's quite far for three geese to get lost.

Another website mentioned that there were 170 of the birds in one park, and 85 spread throughout other parks in England, so I think they'd notice if 3 went missing.

So if anyone is looking for 3 missing Egyptian Geese, you know where they are!

If anyone has any information as to why they're suddenly in Scotland, please let me know!

 

[Bluetail]

Hi Sue. They needn't have come all the way from East Anglia; it's possible that they are escapes from a captive wildfowl collection (they're not unpopular as ornamental birds). That's how the East Anglian population arose in the first place.

The East Anglian birds are a self-sustaining feral population. Birds elsewhere (and they can crop up all over the place) are not so plentiful that they can confidently be regarded as having established viable, self-supporting populations, so it's not surprising if the RSPB regard only the East Anglian ones as a genuine part of the British avifauna.

 

[Woodchatshrike]

I heard a rumour that Gypo Greese were breeding as far west as Warwickshire? Can anyone confirm this. There have also been a pair in Gloucestershire this year. maybe range increase?
It appears that both Canada Geese and Greylag Geese from along the east of coast England fly North to moult in the Cromaty area. I wonder if these geese are joining them.
My theory is that these birds were part of the Norfolk flock. Egyption Geese are from dry countries and I can imagine they natrually roam about when there is little water. These birds have just ended up in Scotland. I wonder how many unsrcupulous Scottish listers would count them?

 

[sueKay]

thanks folks!

I was just a bit worried as I've never seen Egyptian Geese before.

 

[allnmark]

Hi there!

(note - newbie...so I don't know if this is the right place for this)

I live at Loch Lomond, and a few days ago noticed three geese that I'd never seen before in the river of my village. Did some research and it turns out they're Egyptian Geese.

Thing is...According to the RPSB, they're only found in East Anglia, and while I know that birds can get a bit off-course...it's quite far for three geese to get lost.

Another website mentioned that there were 170 of the birds in one park, and 85 spread throughout other parks in England, so I think they'd notice if 3 went missing.

So if anyone is looking for 3 missing Egyptian Geese, you know where they are!

If anyone has any information as to why they're suddenly in Scotland, please let me know!

Welcome sueKay

no-one on the twitching sites has been getting excited about wild Egyptian Geese on the bonny bonny banks, so yes probably escapees but enjoy them none the less and keep watching the loch for us.