Cleethorpes Boating Lake's 'naturalised' population of barnacle geese is being studied by researchers.
A total of 45 birds were colour-ringed in July according to a report in the latest edition of the BTO's WeBs News.
The stated purpose of the study is:
i) to understand better movements between naturalised sub-populations in Britain
ii) to assess whether connectivity occurs between the UK's naturalised populations and others in Europe
iii) to produce the first survival estimate of the UK population
The Cleethorpes investigation is running in conjunction with others elsewhere in Britain.
At Ullswater in Cumbria, for instance, 158 birds were 'rounded up' including one that had previously been ringed at Ynys-Hir in Wales.
Meanwhile, in Norfolk, 431 birds were ringed at Holkham and 106 at Pensthorpe , with a further 35 in Powys.
Britain has two wild and migratory populations of barnacle geese.
One breeds in Greenland and spends winter on the west coast of Scotland, notably the Isle of Islay, and in Ireland.
The other population breeds in Svalbad and winters chiefly on the Solway Firth, with smaller groups occasionally wintering on the coast of North-east coast of Britain.
The origins of the Cleethorpes flock - and how the birds became naturalised seem to be lost in the mists of history.
More details of the BTO survey are at a dedicated (and fascinating) webpage site where it is also possible to report sightings:
www.waterbirdcolourmarking.org/barnacle-goose
See also Nick C’s photos in the Forum’s Colour Ringing News section.
