Eastern and 'continental' Greylags at WWT Slimbridge, 26 February 2006

26 February 2006 Below are a few images to show that the two Greylags that were in the roadside fields when I looked several times from 0805 to this morning were not the Eastern Greylags. They were larger, paler and heavier billed (pale orange at best) but what I always call 'continental' Greylags. The images are of the two that were at the right hand end of the Whitefront flock late morning and were sat in with the Whitefronts earlier in the morning. The Eastern Greylags were refound on private land adjacent to the reserve at Frampton on Severn at 1530. Compare the rear flanks on the two continental birds to that on the Easterns. No zebra stripes on the birds on image 1 or 3 and quite a difference in the birds in all features. Even though the light is not so good in 1 and 3 it makes no difference to the flank markings. A few birders would not believe what we were saying, we were simply trying make everyone aware that they were not the same pair we saw last Wednesday.

The Eastern Greylags are viewable from the public footpath along the Glos to Sharpness canal. They are on private land with no public rights of way so please view only from the towpath (do not enter the fields, conservation awareness and goodwill from the landowner is currently appreciated locally). Look out onto the salt-pasture adjacent to the Splatt bridge north reedbed. They were dropping into hollows near the edge to drink and rest, they are wary and likely to flush. Please park sensibly if you visit as the lanes and parking spaces are limited and show consideration to residents).

Image 1 'continental ' type Greylag in roadside field at WWT Slimbridge, 26 February 2006, M.J.McGill

Image 2 Eastern Greylags on Tack Piece at WWT Slimbridge, M.J.MGill.

Image 3 'continental' Greylag in roadside field at WWT Slimbridge, 26 February 2006, M.J.McGill