Greenland visitors arrive early in Strangford Lough

Greenland visitors arrive early in Strangford Lough

12 September 2012

OVER 5000 Light-bellied Brent Geese have arrived early in Strangford Lough after bypassing their normal stopover in Iceland.

The birds are believed to have made the unusually early arrival due to strong tail winds, which carried them from Greenland to Strangford Lough. 

Some birds have even continued past Strangford Lough to Dublin, to the west of Ireland and Devon.

Up to 90 per cent of the world’s population of light-bellied Brent geese come to Strangford every autumn where they feed on expanses of eel grass exposed at low water.

These birds take on the largest migration journey of any goose travelling 2,900 miles from Ireland to the Canadian high arctic every year. 

Having crossed the Greenland icecap, they normally stop in western Iceland for a few weeks to replenish fat reserves. 

However, this year several thousand geese have returned earlier than expected.

John McCullough, learning manager at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre suggests their arrival is unusual but makes a lot of sense.

“If the birds find favourable weather conditions to speed up their hazardous journey they would be foolish not to use it,” he said.

“The early arrival of geese could mean that they have had a favourable summer in the Arctic and have reached migration condition early.

“These forerunners may also be last year’s youngsters not yet old enough to breed and not held back by goslings.”

The numbers of Brent geese locally usually increase gradually from early September to a peak in mid October.

In 2011, a record 38,000 were counted before they dispersed to other bays and estuaries around Ireland with several hundred making it as far as northern France.

Breeding success is never guaranteed and with cold arctic summers, repeated years of poor breeding can quickly take their toll.

For more information on WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre please visit wwt.org.uk/castleespie, call 028 9174 146 and of course follow Facebook and Twitter @WWTcastleespie.