Request for tagged Greenland White-fronted Goose sightings

BTO Cymru has requested reports of tagged Greenland White-fronted Geese in North Wales.

A flock of around 20 birds winters on Anglesey and some of these have been fitted with collars so they can be satellite-tracked, in order to identify individual birds and deduce their survival and movements.

Greenland White-fronted Goose is a scarce and localised winter visitor to Britain (Sam Northwood).

The location of three birds is sought. 'A1A' returned to Anglesey at least briefly this winter, but may have moved on elsewhere, or at least does not appear to be using the same haunts as last year. 'A2A' returned to the UK but may not have returned to Anglesey – it may even still be on Colonsay but has not been re-sighted there or elsewhere since the original October report. There has been no news at all of 'A0A'.

To conserve battery, the tags require a base station to be within a few hundred metres of them in order to retrieve data from it. So, if the whereabouts of the birds can be established, the BTO can get within range and download their migration data this winter.

If you are out birding anywhere with Greenland White-fronted Geese present, please do make an extra effort to check their necks for orange collars. And if you are lucky enough to spot A0A, A1A or A2A, please let BTO Cymru know as quickly as you can by emailing Rachel at [email protected].