Back North

The sound of Pinkfooted Geese always draw me to the window. This flock was one of many heading out over the sea last week. They are already making their way back North.

Pinkfeet

My alarm clock is the regular flock of ‘Pinks’ that fly over every morning at first light. Pinkfeet are such an integral part of the Norfolk landscape it’s difficult to imagine it without them during any winter month. This individual gave some stunning photographic opportunities a couple of weeks ago.

 

Calm down dear

A Buzzard alighted on the hedgerow not knowing the furore he caused. The noise was almost deafening. Pinkfeet calling and the sound of rushing air as 5000 took off in unison demanded our attention.

The Buzzard was no threat to the Pinkfeet, he was perhaps as bemused as we were. Gradually the geese realised this and settled back into their grazing on the fields. After 5 minutes or so peace was restored.

As usual click to enlarge.

Taking a gander at the geese

This year seems to be a little odd. Very few Acorns, very few berries and up until yesterday, when over 4000 Pinkfeet flew over Falcon Cottage, not as many geese as  would have expected either.

The sound of the Pinkfeet flying over is something worth hearing. A distant cackle rising to a conversation halting din but by far the best sound uttered by geese is the murmuring of Brents. These small travellers from the north are my favourite. I passed around 500 in a field on the coast the other day and managed to photograph one or two of them. I was struck by how few juveniles there were in the flock. I wonder if this is a concern. Perhaps we better reserve judgement until a little later into the winter when more have arrived.