THE BIRDS OF SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
EGYPTIAN GOOSE – Alpochen aegyptiacus
As with all reports of rare and scarce birds they are subject to ratification by the respective rarities committees
Egyptian Goose is a member of the duck, goose and swan family Anatidae. It is in the Shelduck subfamily Tadorninae and is the only extant member of the genus Alopochen. Egyptian Geese were considered sacred by the ancient Egyptians and appeared in much of their artwork. Although provenance can rarely be proven escape from captivity remains an issue and the origins of wanderers like these is vague at best.
There have been three Egyptian Geese reported from S. Gloucestershire, they are;
2002: (1)
One, a presumed winter adult was reported on February 12th at Oldbury Power Station. This occurrence constitutes the first record of this species for S. Gloucestershire.
2006: (2)
The second record remarkable also comes from Oldbury Power Station; a report of one in flight upstream landing on the north shore of the R. Severn at 13:00 having been seen on the south shore near Oldbury Yacht Club earlier in the day on March 4th; An adult was photographed at Heneage Court Pools near Falfield on April 23rd.
Egyptian Goose at Heneage Court Pools near Falfield. April 2006. © Paul Bowerman.