First Brent Geese sightings of the Autumn

The first sightings of Light-bellied Brent Geese came in today with reports of groups of 8 and 12 birds seen in Ramsey by Claire from Manx BirdLife.

Previous photo of Light-bellied Brent Goose 'J4YY' which has been recorded wintering at Derbyhaven for the last 4 years.

3 of a flock of 8 birds seen on the Ramsey Rugby Club pitch on Mooragh Promenade were colour ringed but due to a lack of a 'scope only 1 combination was confirmed - Left White ring '3', Right White ring 'C'. This is a 'new bird' to the IOM, not having been recorded here before.

The other 2 ringed birds had Red rings on the Left leg and White rings on the Right Leg. the letters on the red ring on each bird were recorded ('V' and 'H') but the letters on the White rings couldn't be made out.

All the sighting info has been forward to the Irish Brent Goose Study team who co-ordinate the colour ringing of Light-bellied Brents. I will post an update once we here back from Graham McElwaine, their re-sighting co-ordinator.

Any IOM sightings of colour ringed Brent Geese (or any other bird!) can be sent to us for forwarding onto the study co-ordinators and we will pass the history of the bird back to you.