Brent Goose

New record

22 to 28 Oct – An adult Dark-bellied Brent Goose (B. b. bernicla) in the Landing Bay remained until 28th when it was seen in flight by Rat Island (J. Allen, A. Jayne, R.J. Taylor et al.). This constitutes the 14th LFS record and the 9th in autumn.

New record

25 to 30 Oct – Two adult Dark-bellied Brent Geese (B. b. bernicla) first seen in flight over South West Field in the early afternoon of 25th landed in the Lighthouse Field and were later joined by a third adult (T.J. Davis et al.). Their arrival followed a period of strong north-easterly winds. The birds were clearly extremely hungry, feeding voraciously on grass and allowing people to approach to within a few metres and showing only mild concern. They remained until 30th and were also seen grazing on the Airfield and near Quarter Wall Pond. The 15th LFS record, ten of which have been in autumn.

New record

26 to 29 Oct – One Dark-bellied Brent Goose (B. b. bernicla) on the sea off the East Side below Quarter Wall on 26th (Martin Kerby, Tim Cleeves) was still present, off the Sugar Loaf, on 29th (Darren Dowding, Ryan Miller et al.). The 16th LFS record, 11 of which have been in autumn.

New records

29 Apr – An adult of the Dark-bellied race B. b. bernicla was in the Landing Bay during the late afternoon and evening (Chris Baillie, Tim Davis et al.).

14 Nov – A Dark-bellied bird was watched for about 10 minutes as it flew erratically over the island several times, in the vicinity of Gannets’ Combe (Robert & Helen Gooderham). It was later seen standing on the Landing Beach (Siân Scott).

These are the 17th & 18th LFS records, 12 of which have been in autumn.

New record

20 Nov – An adult of the Dark-bellied race B. b. bernicla was seen near Quarters – the 19th LFS record, 13 of which have ben in autumn.

New record

10 & 11 Sep – A Pale-bellied Brent Goose B. b. hrota was swimming in the Landing Bay during the late morning of 10th and remained until 11^th when it was seen in flight over Millcombe and the Village during the morning, but was back in the Landing Bay by midday (Dean Jones, Rebecca & Richard Taylor et al.).

8 Nov – Flocks of five and 12 Dark-bellied Brents B. b. bernicla were seen on 8 Nov, the smaller group heading south past South West Point in the morning, whilst the larger flock, seen from the Ugly, flew west past Rat Island and disappeared behind the south of the island (Martin Thorne).

These are the 20^th and 21^st Lundy records of Brent Goose overall and just the fifth occurrence for the Canadian Arctic-breeding pale-bellied race.