Pink-footed Goose

Photo: Pink-footed Geese, Tillage Field, 20 Oct 2006 © Richard Campey

New record

15 to 29 May – One on Pondsbury and in Brick and Tillage Fields (C. Baillie, J.W. Leonard, G. Sherman et al.). This is the first occurrence in spring and the 7th LFS record. Record accepted by the Devon Bird Recorder, who noted that a lone bird on this late date could have been an escaped or feral individual.

New record

19 to 24 Apr – An adult flushed from Quarter Wall Pond circled over the south of the island and settled on St Helen’s Field. Later the same day it was resighted at Quarter Wall Pond and on the Airfield (P. Clabburn, N. Dalby, D. Fox et al.). It remained on the island until 24th, when it flew north over Millcombe. Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder. The 8th LFS record and the second in spring.

25 Oct – One flew south along the East Side and appeared to carry straight on without stopping (James Diamond). This coincided with a period of very strong north-easterly winds associated with the appearance of other scarce wildfowl on the island, including Brent Goose and Wigeon. Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder. The 9th LFS record.

New record

19 Dec – One seen and photographed in the upper aero-generator field (G. Sherman, K. Welsh). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder. The 10th LFS record, five of which have been since 2004.

New record

22 Oct – Four flew in from the south-south-east past the Castle at 08.00hrs. The observers, on Castle Hill, watched the geese flying north, just offshore, along the East Side, eventually being lost to view as they rounded Tibbetts Point (Tom Bedford, James Diamond, Tim Jones). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder. This is only the 11th LFS record but the third consecutive year in which Pink-feet have been seen on (or from) the island.

New records

6 to 18 Mar – One that dropped in briefly to Lower Lighthouse Field on 6^th was relocated on 7^th on Ackland’s Moor where it was seen daily up to and including 18^th (Dean Jones, Matt Stritch et al.).

21 Dec – One, initially sighted along the main track north of Quarter Wall, remained until the end of the year, spending its time together with the European White-fronted Goose that arrived two days later, most often in the East Side fields (Stuart Cossey, Rosie Ellis).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder; the 12^th & 13^th for the island. The March bird was only the third in spring.

New record (of a sort)

1 Jan – The bird from the end of Dec 2021 remained until New Year's Day (together with the White-fronted Goose), but couldn't be found on 2nd (Stuart Cossey).