Does anyone know what this fellow is? He (or she) was hanging out with the swans on the canal two winters ago. At the time I thought he was a goose of some sort, but now I am wondering if he might be some exotic species of swan.When the swans went away for the summer, he hung around for a bit on his own, and then he flew away too. I was hoping he would come back the following winter, but he has not been seen since.
a goose. google to the rescue!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.funbeaches.com/August/white_goose.jpg
As far as I know all the european swans have black in their bills, from the size looks like it's probably a Norwegian white goose rather than a Roman. Could be some American visitor though. It's 20 years since I opened a bird watching book though.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure this was quite the same fellow as the one Justin has linked to... the canal bird did not have that curiously protruberant nose.
ReplyDeleteIn outline he does look very like types of wild geese you get in Ireland, but his colouration seems off... although I am going by one book on Irish wildlife which was maybe not showing all variations in goose plumage.
I am still disappointed that they turned around and blocked off half the canals just as the swans I'd been watching for weeks seemed about to have their chicks. It was a very good year for baby ducks mind so I'm not too disappointed really. I got my squeee etc.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a goose to me.
So do you reckon it was a farm goose who busted loose?
ReplyDelete