fnh journal vol 24 - Forth Naturalist and Historian - University of Stirling

30 C.J. Henty
from the NW at Blackdevonmouth on 6 Oct (2000 there on 1 Nov) and there
were 1450 at Skinflats on 8 Oct & 2750 on 12 Dec – 3910 on whole estuary (DP
CJH DMB MVB).
*BEAN GOOSE Anser fabalis (W)
F At Carron Valley Res 46 on 21 Jan, lst of autumn 16 on 13 Oct (GJB). 187
Slamannan 27 Oct (NB).
*WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Anser albifrons (w)
F
S
1 Skinflats 12 Feb (GO).
1 (Greenland race) Blairdrummond carse 15 Jan, with Pinkfeet & Greylags, & on
20 Feb (NB DT).
GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser (b,W)
Substantial flocks were noted mainly on Drip/Blairdrummond/Thornhill carse
with 800 on 15 Jan, 590 on 13 Feb & 1000 on 18 Mar, last were 40 ->N at Killin
on 16 Apr & 3 Skinflats on 29th (NB MVB PG PWS GO). The max further north
was 154 G.Dochart 25 Mar (NB). The only “spring” numbers east of Stirling
were 477 Slamannan 9 Jan & at L.Ellrig, 250 on 16 Jan & 200 on 13 Feb (NB JN).
The 1st of autumn were early, 35->SE Skinflats on 4 Sep; 11 ->SSW Fallin on 6
Oct & 16 Skinflats on 13th were more usual (AB RD GO). Few on Carse of
Stirling until late autumn, max 400 on 29 Nov & 590 on 13 Dec (DR NB). None
reported from north of area. In the east, noted on flooded stubble at Alva from
19 Nov (105) to end of year with max 212 on 10 Dec & 217 on 23rd. 45 at Fallin
28 Dec & Cambus on 29th pres. same flock (AT NB RD).
CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis (b,W)
WEBS max: 161 inland in Feb, 252 in Nov (NB).
F max 25 Bonnybridge 15 Sep (MA).
S Max early in year was 53 L.Venachar 20 Jan (NB). Autumn max was 118
Cambusmore 4 Nov (DOE), other notable records were 53 G.Finglas 10 Aug, 27
->S Fallin 1 Oct & 36 Carron Valley Res on 22nd, 40 L.Coulter on 3 Nov, 73
Coustry (Blairdrummond) 13 Dec. Max on main Carse of Stirling only 7, Jan to
Apr (DJC RD DAC IW NB DR GO). At Lecropt on 22 Feb, in 800 Pinkfeet, was a
small Canada with rounded head & small beak, pale breast & light grey back –
possibly a migrant of race hutchinsii, known to breed in Greenland (NB).
Spring pairs at Lake of Menteith (11Y on 1 Jul), Thornhill, Cambusmore, Carron
Valley Res (5Y). (RAB NB PWS DAC).
*BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis (w)
F
C
S
7 Skinflats 30 Sep, 36 on 1 Oct & 70 on 8th (DMB MA).
3 Alloa Inches 2 Apr & 4 on 23rd (DMB).
46 ->SW Kinbuck & 6 Fallin ->E 30 Sep, then 37 ->W 1 Oct (RD DT –NB
Skinflats records, Ed). 1 Kippen 20 & 27 Feb, 2 Balfron 23 Feb – all feeding with
Pinkfeet/Greylag flocks (DAC).
*BRENT GOOSE Branta bernicla
F 1 dark bellied adult Skinflats 8-13 Feb (GO AB).
SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna (b,W)
WEBS max: 783 Forth Estuary in Feb & 2940 in Aug (DMB).
F Moult flock at Kinneil totalled 2940 on 19 Aug; 920 on 28 Oct. Skinflats: 325 on
16 Jan, 700 on 4 Sep & 734 on 17th (DMB MVB AB). Inland, 1 Black Loch 19 Dec
(NB) - 1st record & unusual date, Ed.
C
S
97 Tullibody Inch 25 Mar (DMB). 8 pairs Blackdevonmouth 8 May (CJH).
11 Cambuskenneth in Feb were highest up Forth (AT). 2 L.Venachar 19 Dec (NB)
–1st record & unusual date, Ed.
WIGEON Anas penelope (b,W)
WEBS max: 1087 Forth Estuary in Jan & 1040 in Dec (DMB), 638 inland in Jan &