Mystery birds

[Tursiops2]

I'm not expecting to get an ID from this, but if anybody cares to speculate, feel free...

Seen over Ipswich, 0850 hrs, yesterday: 6 large, long-winged birds flying north in very tight formation, at approximately 300ft. Very brief view (no bins) from below and behind, before they disappeared into the murk. Impression of plumage: similar pattern to Lapwing (but twice the size) with light belly, darker front, dark short tail. Light underwing, with dark tips and trailing edges. Wingbeat rapid and shallow. No calls.

Of the large birds which occasionally fly over here from the river, I can rule out Greylag, Brent goose, Grey heron and Mute swan. I can't completely rule out Cormorant or Canada goose, but I'm more than familiar with both species, and they just didn't have the feel of either.

My best guess is Barnacle goose, unusual but not unprecedented round here.

Any thoughts?
T2

[Adam Cheeseman]

Brent Goose?

Cheers,

Adam

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

Brent Goose?

Cheers,

Adam

That's what sprung to mind when I read this description.

[Tursiops2]

Ahem...

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

Of the large birds which occasionally fly over here from the river, I can rule out Greylag, Brent goose, Grey heron and Mute swan. T2

[RobinP]

Were they silent? Canada Goose usually 'honk' all the time.

[Tursiops2]

They were completely silent, which would tend to rule out geese of any species, but I'm not sure how noisy Barnacles are in flight- of all the "dark" geese, that's the one with which I'm least familiar.
T2