Hybrid geese, which one though? UK (1 Viewer)

[MTem]

Seen on Friday at Scotney Court GP, near Rye in East Sussex, UK.

Three almost identical individuals in company with about 40 Barnacles - all of which behaved like wild birds. The closest hybrid I can find is Barnacle x Snow goose, but that seems unlikely.

Anyone?

Mick

 

[aeshna5]

Emperor x Barnacle perhaps?

 

[stevethehydra]

Emperor x Barnacle looks right: http://birdhybrids.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/emperor-goose-x-barnacle-goose.html

(and the 3rd photo down there is from East Sussex - same brood of hybrids perhaps?)

 

[MTem]

Emperor x Barnacle looks right: http://birdhybrids.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/emperor-goose-x-barnacle-goose.html

(and the 3rd photo down there is from East Sussex - same brood of hybrids perhaps?)

That's them for sure as the blog from Feb 2014 talks about 3 individuals normally seen with Barnacles at various sites on the Kent/Sussex border - which is where I was.

Is it likely they're not fertile, given they are at least 3 years old and there were no other F2 or F3 hybrids evident?

Smart looking birds IMO.

Mick

 

[stevethehydra]

I think generally speaking hybrids between 'grey' (Anser) and 'black' (Branta) geese are not fertile - certainly Canada x Greylag goose hybrids, probably the commonest bird hybrid in Britain, don't seem to backcross (unlike say Canada x Barnacle) - so I'd guess these are probably infertile too.

 

[FergusJBend]

This flock is composed of a hybrid swarm. It is known to 'migrate' between Scotney Court Gps and Leeds Castle. Genuine wild geese, particularly White-fronted and the occasional Bean Goose join them from time to time. Some of the hybrids resemble Snow Geese, and there are also many Barnacle-types amongst them.