geese?

[Madz]

Don't know if it's possible to id these birds from these photos. I thought at first they were geese because of the v formation but on closer scrutiny their necks look too short. What other birds might fly in a v formation like this? Taken at Pegwell Bay 13.02.07.

All suggestions gratefully receieved.

Madz

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Gulls will fly in formation also

[Madz]

Oh, do they? I never knew that. They look like they could be gulls

Thanks Lincs Yellowbelly,

Madz

[mrs fish]

They look like gulls to me, was it dawn or dusk when you saw them?

[Madz]

It was dusk - about 4.00 pm. Does that make a difference? I'm intrigued.

Thanks mrs fish

Madz

[John]

Most definitely gulls.

[Madz]

Thanks John.

I've never noticed gulls flying like this before. They've always been in an irregular-shaped flock. I've recently become interested in the different shaped flock formations. I expect that with some birds you could tell the species by the characteristics of the flock in flight, - shape, density, synchrony, etc?

Madz

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Madz

Thanks John.

I've never noticed gulls flying like this before. They've always been in an irregular-shaped flock. I've recently become interested in the different shaped flock formations. I expect that with some birds you could tell the species by the characteristics of the flock in flight, - shape, density, synchrony, etc?

Madz

They normally fly in this type of formation coming + going to roost rather than when a flock is foraging, it's a more energy efficient means of flight using the slipstream of the bird in front, though the leader does change.

[MTR]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

They normally fly in this type of formation coming + going to roost rather than when a flock is foraging, it's a more energy efficient means of flight using the slipstream of the bird in front, though the leader does change.

I thought they flew in V formation because the one at the front has the map!!!!

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by MTR

I thought they flew in V formation because the one at the front has the map!!!!

It's always the obvious we overlook..