Migrating geese ID

[Africa]

This morning at around 9:15 I watched 3 flocks of geese flying quite high in direction N-NW over my house. I took some poor quality pictures and with this I can discard Canada or Barnacles as their necks were pale. What is the most likely species? The call was mono-syllabic, different to the greylag. Thank you!
I assume they were migrating as they were flying quite high, but is this a normal time of the year for geese to migrate?

[aeshna5]

Maybe Pinkfeet beginning to move back from north Norfolk. They do tend to have dark heads + often call a sort of "vink-vink" type call.

[david156]

I would agree with aeshna5. Pinkfoot's are vocal flyers and one or two are around norfolk this time of the year.....
Have a listen to this call from the RSPB. The last bit is what they sound like when they're flying.

The RSPB: Pink-footed goose

Cheers David.

[Africa]

Thank you aeshna5 and David. I have now got the photo of 4 strays from the 2 large flocks (I counted over 100 in the photos, although I missed half of one flock):



Sorry again for the poor quality!

[Dogghound]

Yes I agree they are likely Pink-foot hard to say from the photo's. There are thousands in Norfolk over winter, however interestingly their distribution is becoming much more widespread. We have had several birds mixed in with greylags overwinter here. And plenty of flocks up the north east coast.

[Tracey.A]

I think the most likely is the pink-footed goose as well

Tracey

[captaincarot]

they've got grey underwings and a pale neck from the looks of the photo,

pinkfeets have a dark underwing and a relatively speaking dark neck

these are pink feets

[IMG][/IMG]

[davecatt]

Hi Africa

The tide this morning was a lot higher than usual and combined with clear sky and bright sunshine may have encouraged them to start their migration.

We do have a large number of Pink Footed Geese on the Humber and the direction you describe sounds like they could be following the River Hull there are some wet areas up that way adjacent to farm land where they can graze in passage, though they could just be going off to there feeding areas for the day and return to the estuary to roost.

Dave

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by captaincarot

these are pink feets

[IMG][/IMG]

These look more like Greylags, large orange bills and pale coverts on the underwing. (Best seen in bottom bird).

On the Original post its very hard to say but I agree the wing does look abit pale (maybe the light). Although the head and bill look small which is more suggestive of pink-foot.

[Africa]

In my photo the light is very bright from underneath the birds (sun rising on clear skies) I cannot see an orange beak and the neck looks quite dark. I agree they must be pink-footed. Unfortunately I never carry my binoculars to work (although some times I wonder if I should!). Thank you all for your contribution.