Goose ID

[stringer 1]

Always fancied a go at goose shooting but before I dive in doing a bit of research.

 

First of probably many daft questions

 

Any tips for quickly identifying the various species of geese in flight? I'm ok when they are on the ground or wate.r but would hate for an accident to happen and inadvertantly shoot a protected species.

 

Thanks in advance

 

S

[tom1cameron 1]

Hi Stringer

Get on google and start searching for sound clips of your likely quarry and non-quarry. That is the quickest way if the size or colour does not give it away. The RSPB and BTO websites can be very good, but you will find mpegs online via most search engines.

The only big problem goose is the barnacle, make sure you know the sound of this one, it is easy to learn and a really big help. Too many "experts" dont know how to identify this goose from others.

 

As you are in Scotland, Whitefronts are alse protected. Again listen to their calls, I am not sure how distinctive they are from other grey geese, but I have never come across them on the east coast.

 

There are potentially Bean geese to watch out for if you are shooting near Stirling, but it is very unlikely if you are foreshore gunning.

 

With smaller black and most grey geese, its all about knowing the calls. Canada's are huge, swan sized.

 

Good luck

[stringer 1]

Thanks Tom very useful

 

So am I right in saying if I learn and avoid shooting barnacle,bean & whitefronts I should be ok.

 

S

[SportingShooter 0]

Dont forget Brent

[tom1cameron 1]

Yes Brents! See my post on the Ythan trip and you will see what SS means, but by and large this tends to be quite rare in Scotland

[wag 13]

here is some ducks and geese you can shoot

Mallard

(Anas platyrhynchos)

Large dabbling duck with male having a bottle-green head. In flight, it flies quickly with shallow wing beats. It has a deep quark which is either a single note or several strung together.

Wigeon

(Anas penelope)

Medium sized dabbling duck with the male having a distinct chestnut head with a golden forehead. In flight, it has fast wing beats and a very distinct whistling whee-oo call.

Pintail

(Anas acuta)

A dabbling duck that is of a slim build with a long neck and distinctive tail. The male has a chocolate head with a white stripe down the back. Very rarely makes a noise.

Gadwall

(Anas strepera)

A medium sized dabbling duck with a dull plumage. Usually flies in pairs or mixes with other species. Has a high pitched quack.

Teal

(Anas crecca)

A very small dabbling duck with the male having a chestnut head and a green eye stripe. A very agile duck that is renowned for its vertical take-off abilities. Its voice is a whistling crick-crick.

Shoveler

(Anas clypeata)

This dabbling duck is identifiable by its "shovel-type" bill. Very agile flyer with fast wing beats. Usually silent in flight.

Pochard

(Aythya ferina)

A medium diving duck with the male having a chestnut head. Flight is fast and strong with short, rapid wing beats. Usually silent.

Tufted

(Aythya fuligula)

Small diving duck with male being black and white with a crest on the head. Very often in flocks with rapid wing beats. Usually silent.

Goldeneye

(Bucephala clangula)

Medium diving duck with black/green head and a distinct white cheek patch. Very often in small flocks and flying with a rapid wing beat. Usually silent.

Geese

Pinkfooted

(Anser brachyrhynchus)

Medium goose with a dark head and neck with both the bill and legs pink. Rapid wing beats in flight with skeins numbering thousands. Characteristic "wink-wink" call.

Greylag

(Anser anser)

Large grey goose with uniform browny grey colour with an orange bill and pink legs. Has a powerful flight with rapid wing beats. Has a deep nasal call "ang-ang".

Canada

(Branta canadensis)

Large grey-brown goose with a black head and neck complete with a white chin patch. Flight is strong and fast with a lot at low level. Usually calls with a loud honking.

[stringer 1]

Cheers Mate,

 

Very useful

 

S

[SportingShooter 0]

Thats a Great Guide Wag, why not copy and paste into a new Thread and pin it, sure everyone will find it usefull.

 

Just a suggestion

 

SS

[nrat 8]

Yes Brents! See my post on the Ythan trip and you will see what SS means, but by and large this tends to be quite rare in Scotland

 

hi,were getting the odd barnacle at findhorn bay now,and we had a pair of brent at portgorden last week,where do you park at the ythan ??by the bridge is a fair walk out,or do you park at meikle tarty,?? thinking of shooting it for a change,thanks jim

[tom1cameron 1]

Yes Brents! See my post on the Ythan trip and you will see what SS means, but by and large this tends to be quite rare in Scotland

 

hi,were getting the odd barnacle at findhorn bay now,and we had a pair of brent at portgorden last week,where do you park at the ythan ??by the bridge is a fair walk out,or do you park at meikle tarty,?? thinking of shooting it for a change,thanks jim

 

You can park at meikle tarty, you will know when as you will come toa large gate near the end of teh track with some wildfowling leaflets on it.

 

From there you can access all of that bank. Otherwise head over the bridge and take the first left beyond the estuary, head for the north bank bird hide or the fishermans shelter. Some good geese on the bank there and sometimes good duck on a morning flight if bright.

 

The bridge is good access as well as at low tide you can walk all the way up the estuary!

Interesting on the Brent, I know they are not rare, but I did not think they were that common. Perhaps just a local family group developing a stopover area, or some short-stopping? Always Barnacles in NE, almost certainly Spitsbergen ones, they are a right bugger when mixed in flocks but on their own straightforward enough to tell from the others.