Goose ID Please

[LoveT]

I had an enjoyable couple of hours today, spent at Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve in Hampshire, where I took a 'few' photos with the Bigma (how I wish I hadn't taken it!).

However, on looking at what I've done today, I came across this photo:



I can easily identify the Canada Geese at front and back, but can somebody please tell me what the one in the middle is? It's not built like a Canada Goose, so I'm presuming it isn't one (unless it's been unwell ). I've looked in my RSPB bird book, and there is something in the book that looks like the bird in my photo, but I'm not going to embarrass myself any more than I already do by naming it

Thanks for your help folks

Thea

[Wild-Woman]

It's a Barnacle Goose.

[diggleken]

try Barnacle.
Cheers
Ken

[tameblackbirds]

Barnacle?

[LoveT]

Thanks

Now - that's what I thought it might have been (according to my book), but I didn't think we saw them down here in southern Hampshire

Thea

[GuyF]

Originally Posted by LoveT

Thanks

Now - that's what I thought it might have been (according to my book), but I didn't think we saw them down here in southern Hampshire

Thea

It's very unlikely to be a wild bird, but there are many feral birds around the UK. In Hampshire I often see a small (feral) group at Titchfield Haven.
Guy

[diggleken]

Originally Posted by LoveT

Thanks

Now - that's what I thought it might have been (according to my book), but I didn't think we saw them down here in southern Hampshire

Thea

Never trust distribution maps completely and absolutely - birds have wings and go where there is food , safety and warmth, partic in the recent cold snap.
We dont see them too much here inland either, but I have seen them in a flock of Canadas, like yours, near moorland reservoirs in winter.
Cheers
Ken

[LoveT]

Originally Posted by GuyF

It's very unlikely to be a wild bird, but there are many feral birds around the UK. In Hampshire I often see a small (feral) group at Titchfield Haven.
Guy

Aha - thanks for that, makes perfect sense !

As it happens, there was also a white goose on the lake - presumably an escapee from somewhere at some point - which was playing 'leader of the pack', along with another group of Canada Geese. They appeared quite happy together too!

Thea

[Picidae]

It's difficult to ascertain the true origin of all Barnacle Geese seen down south but occasionally solitary birds appear with Dark Bellied Brent during winter months and their 'wild' credentials are more convincing. However, as Guy says, there is a substantial breeding feral population now in UK and the fact yours is seen with Canada Geese (also likely to be feral in this area!) doesn't bode well! Of course we have large numbers of wild Barnacle that arrive from the High Arctic and winter further north eg. Scotland, ocassionally a few wild ones turn up in Norfolk with the Pink Feet.

The 'White Goose' is likely to be a domestic goose, often seen cavorting with Canadas and hybridisation is not uncommon!

[leifus]

Originally Posted by LoveT

Thanks

Now - that's what I thought it might have been (according to my book), but I didn't think we saw them down here in southern Hampshire

Thea

ive seen them on the isle of wight