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The Birds Of South Gloucestershire          Barnacle Goose - branta leucopsis

 

The English name of the Barnacle Goose the scientific name of the Brent Goose - branta bernicla and the Goose Barnacle come from the old fable that Barnacle Geese were produced from barnacles, organisms that grow on timber exposed to salt water. This appeared logical since these geese were never seen in summer. When they were supposedly developing underwater, they were actually breeding in remote Arctic regions. The legend was also convenient because it enabled Catholics to classify these geese as fish and therefore able to eat their flesh during Lent. Some historical names for Barnacle Goose include; Bar Goose, Clakis, Rood Goose and Tree Goose.

 

There have been around 230 Barnacle Geese reported from S. Gloucestershire;

 

2011: (1)

A winter adult was mixing with Shelduck on Northwick Warth from  March 5th - April 4th;

 

 

Barnacle Goose on Northwick Warth. March 2011. Paul Bowerman.

 

2010: (105) HIGHEST COUNT (80)

A party of twenty-five flew up river past Severn Beach at 13:30 on January 25th and were subsequently seen grazing on Northwick Warth. All 25 were still present on January 26th but were noted flying past Oldbury Power Station on the 27th; Two were seen in flight heading north-east past Northwick Warth in the morning on April 12th; Thirty-five were reported at Oldbury Power Station on March 6th; Fifty-six were reported on May 29th at Oldbury Power Station; 80 were seen in flight upriver past Oldbury Power Station on December 7th.

 

 

Part of a flock of twenty-five Barnacle Geese on Severnside representing the highest count for S. Glos. January 2010. Paul Bowerman.

 

2009: (2)

One was noted with c.70 Canada Geese between Keynsham and Swineford opposite Avon Valley CP on October 3rd; One was present at Heneage Court Pools near Falfield on August 16th.

 

2006: (1)

One was reported from the Severn Beach area on June 8th - 9th.

 

2002: (4)

One was seen on April 1st at Tortworth Court Lake; One was seen on April 14th at Northwick Warth; Two were found on May 10th at Orchard Pools near Severn Beach.

 

1999: (14)

Thirteen were present sometime in April at Oldbury Power Station; On October 19th one was identified in flight heading south past New Passage.

 

1996: (7)

Seven seen on February 24th at Aust/ Northwick Warth were still present on February 25th.

 

1995: (1)

One was seen on April 2nd and 3rd at Oldbury Power Station.

 

1993: (1)

One was found on May 6th at Oldbury Power Station.

 

1990: (2)

One seen in December 1989 at Severn Beach was present until February 25th; One seen on the February 10th at Severn Beach was still present on February 11th.

 

1989: (1)

One was seen on December 19th at Severn Beach. It was present into 1990 throughout January until February 25th.

 

©TBOSG November 2005 - All rights reserved