Egyptian Geese in West Sussex, England (1 Viewer)

[robhope]

I saw two pairs of Egyptian Geese (Alopochen aegyptiacus) today at Burton Mill Pond (West Sussex), and wondered where I stood regarding my year list.
The Collins Bird Guide has them as rB4, with a resident feral population in south-east England - so can I tick them?

robhope

Egrets, I've had a few

 

[Hotspur]

I dont know about the status of Egyptian Goose in Sussex but there is a significant feral population in East Anglia. In Yorkshire the rule is unless there is obvious sign that they are escapes they are treated as genuine. Go ahead tick it. You know you wanna.

 

[BoroFan]

yer i agree with hotspur as long as theres no sign that its an escape then id count it

 

[NicoleB]

*off topic*

Just had to grin at this. I lived 10 months in Egypt and didn't see them, guess I have to go to the UK after all

Lucky you

 

[MJB]

*off topic*

Just had to grin at this. I lived 10 months in Egypt and didn't see them, guess I have to go to the UK after all

Nicole,
Probably until the early 20th century, it was thinly widespread in suitable habitat (vegetated steep wadis with trees) in parts of Egypt, but is still a resident breeder, perhaps now in low numbers. Naama Bay seems to be the location with most recent birding records.

Until the 17th century, it bred in Europe at locations from south Voyvodina to south Hungary, and probably elsewhere.

It seems to have been a popular quarry species amongst the nobility. Its adapation to the Netherlands and (mostly) eastern England by escapes from ornamental stock, perhaps even from the time of Charles I (head removed 1649) is a little odd in some ways, but it became established in UK much later.

Its fondness for perching and nesting in trees presumably allowed it to exploit that niche despite the lack of rocky valleys in the Low Countries and East Anglia!
MJB

 

[NicoleB]

In Hungary too? wow
And in Naama bay? Scaring tourists? lol,....
Well, there are a few species that eluded me down there, so I'm not overly concerned / frustrated... just a BIT

 

[chris butterworth]

Egyptian Geese have been expanding their UK range since the 80's and are now nesting as far north as Gtr. Manchester, are resident at Rutland Water and are probably breeding in Sussex so you can tick them.

Chris