There are 3 Bar-headed Geese presently on the Ytrhan Estuary (N E Scotland). They have been seen on several occasions during the last month. 2 are adults, 1 is a juvenile (lacks the head bars). I am aware that Bar-headed Geese are regarded as escapes in the UK, also that there is a feral breeding population in Norway (Jonsson, Birds of Europe .JUst wondering if anyone has any ideas where these 3 might have come from, and whether the juvenile is this year's bird.
Hi Ken,
I suppose Norway is perhaps the most likely source, although I think there are a few other feral populations in northern Europe. Are they ringed by the way (haven't seen them myself yet). If the immature bird is a juvenile it is, by definition, this year's bird. I don't know much about ageing Bar-headed Geese, although I guess that like most geese they become very difficult to age after first winter.