Russian White-fronted geese
32 White-fronted Geese again on the fields off Bradley Stream Road, west of Sharpham Lane, with about the same number of Greylags 10am today.
Aha, an escaped species! Not a hybrid at all. Thanks Sean; and apologies for my ignorance. Kind regards, Chris
It’s a Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides).
Good complement of White-fronted Geese (41?) at Sharpham this morning, with the single Barnacle.
The bird you describe, Jon, was there again today, I believe, among Mute Swan and Greylag Goose. With no wish at all of dismissing others’ remarks, I wonder if this is the same bird as “the Swan-Goose”. To be honest, it looks more like a Canada-Greylag hybrid to me. Has more the colouring of a Hawaiian Goose (which it is not) than a swan.
Thanks Sean - knew somebody would know the Anser.
Swan Goose. It’s been seen in the area on and off for a couple of years now
I saw the Swan Goose at Westhay back in November.
Swan Goose. It’s been seen in the area on and off for a couple of years now
Barnacle and White Fronts still there today.
Whilst sifting through the Greylags looking for Tundras came across a very odd looking hybrid of some type, its head and the back of its neck to its mantle were dark brown, whilst the front of its neck was beige. It’s beak was smaller than that of a Greylag and was black. It otherwise resembled a Greylag in size and body markings although I couldn’t see the colour of its legs. Would be curious to know if anyone else has seen this bird and has any idea what concoction it might be ?
09-Jan-2026 mid-morning
At least 30 Russian White-fronted Geese (before they all took flight onto the adjacent lake) with a single Barnacle Goose and a large mixed flock of 150+ Greylag & Canada Geese on large grass fields to the west off Sharpham Lane, Sharpham. North of Walton just before the rd bridge over the South Drain.
At midday today, 20 Whitefronts and one Barnacle Goose with the massed Greylags and Canada Geese; seen from Bradley Stream Road as per Jeff’s directions below.
c50 grey geese in flight heading south between Illchester and Yeovil at 10am this morning, couldn’t relocate them subsequently
05-Jan-2026 12:15 hrs.
At least 15 Russian White-fronted Geese with mixed flock of 150+ Greylag & Canada’s on large grass fields west of Sharpham Lane. From Ashcott Rd/Station Rd that passes Ham Wall RSPB, at Bungalow Farm take Bradley Stream Road (single track) to gateway at sharp RH bend & look north.
Just a single Whitefront on Meare Heath pool on Friday morning.
Russian White-fronted Geese on Westmoor. have lifted off in the direction of Wet Moor.
A flock of seventeen on Westmoor this morning. About 350m NE of the bridge that crosses Pitt Drain.
Large flock on Wet Moor yesterday morning, visible in distance from the drove; smaller group of 28 in flight overhead, 1pm.
Flock of c 70 at Meare, West Waste, 3pm.