Geese flying South over West Wales

[Ashling]

Hi, first post here so hopefully someone can help. Just South of Aberystwyth in West Wales we have seen many geese flying South over the last month. Skeins of up to a hundred 3 or 4 times a day (these are the ones we hear or see, there may be more). Never seen so many, wondering if the recent high pressure has brought them down to a lower altitude than normal.... Anyway, question is - what are they? They have a high, musical sound, and in these numbers I'm wondering if they're Whitefronts heading for the Severn estuary? Any clues welcome!
Cheers!

[loripo]

Yes I'd like to know too! Daughter sent me this a couple of days ago, from Mwnt, near Cardigan and she asked me if I knew what they might be. She has seen Canadas down by the Estuary, but from the short video clip she sent I'm not sure it's their cry.

Message - Wild About Britain Pics

[aeshna5]

Certainly up to yesterday at least no Whitefronts have appeared at Slimbridge yet according to their web sightings.

I wonder if they could be Pinkfeet from Iceland heading to north Norfolk, though these birds often stage in Scotland/Lancashire (such as Martin Mere where there are currently good numbers) before heading to Norfolk.

[tufftie]

Just spoken to Jez and he says that they are starting to fly over ours now too. As it's normally dark when they go over no visual id. Wish I was at home right now - it's a sound I really miss.

[sunnydale]

I saw these flying over the Ladybower Reservoir a few days ago. Not good pics ....... and I have no idea what they were!
They were making quite a din though....but a nice din! LOL

[NicolaB]

I saw a large flock of geese flying over the Tywi Valley yesterday morning as well.

[stephen p]

It's a great sight seeing the Geese fly over. I love watching it.

I cant find any reports of the Geese being around the Severn as yet.

[Ashling]

Thanks folks for the replies. If there's nothing at Slimbridge yet I guess they can't be going there as they've been flying through for a month or so.
Hadn't considered Pinkfeet this side of the country but perhaps... Can't help thinking it's something to do with the Azores High sitting so far North this Autumn as I've never noticed such numbers before. Maybe it's affected the migration route rather than altitude as I first thought.

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by Ashling

They have a high, musical sound, and in these numbers I'm wondering if they're Whitefronts heading for the Severn estuary? Any clues welcome!
Cheers!

Sounds very likely to me - not sure if any have been seen as yet at Slimbridge/Severn Estuary so perhaps they're stopping for roost/stubble on the way or heading over the Irish Sea. I would have thought it was a bit far West (or South!) for Pinkfeet the main winter feeding sites are East Coast Scotland and N.Norfolk to the Wash.

[thebeard]

there were a good 1500 at a local lake today. not quite the 35000 strong flocks that i've heard about, but it was still quite a sight. only greylag though