Bean Geese Kent

[Marcus]

For whatever reason the timestamp on my PC was a few years out and when I replied to this thread it corrupted it, as Pete is now away doing what he does best I felt that I should re-start it:

"These two pictures of Bean Geese (in the broad sense) were sent to me today as the observer was concerned about the identification. Of course Tundra Bean Goose is the more likely option in Kent, and that is what they are all being called by the news services. Pic 1 is of a single bird near Woolmer Castle, Pic 2 is of three birds on Worth Marshes. I have only seen these images and not the birds, but the first bird does seem a little long billed for Tundra, shows fairly extensive orange on the bill and some white at the base of the bill. The birds on Worth Marshes also look on the long-billed side and therefore interesting. Anyone else seen them or got better photos? Taiga Bean Goose would be a good bird for Kent.

Cheers

Pete"

There are some more photos of the Walmer bird here: http://stmargaretsphotodiary.blogspot.com/2010/01/green-beans.html

[forktail]

Bean Geese can be very tricky birds if it's not immediately 'obvious' which of the subspecies the birds in question are, as there is overlap in some features, bills can be easily discoloured by mud and photographs don't really convey the jizz. It would be easier in the field. I could certainly see the birds in these pics as Tundra Bean Geese, being quite short-necked, roundish-headed and not looking too bulky. I missed seeing the Tundras in my 10 km square today after putting the car into a ditch in a rather spectacular fashion. :realmad:

Taigas showing some bill variation: http://www.geese.nl/gsg/images/gsgXII_taigarietgans.jpg

F.

[Johnny X]

For whatever reason the timestamp on my PC was a few years out and when I replied to this thread it corrupted it

Heh! Is that all that is required to defeat the interweb?

[Marcus]

Some great photos of the lone bird here: http://www.birdguides.com/iris/pictures.asp?t=611932&v=0&q=0

I've certainly seen Tundra with lots of orange in the bill as well as white at the base so I don't think this carries too much weight. To me the bill seems quite thickset which would perhaps indicate Tundra.

Still not sure about the three birds though :puzzled:

[Marcus]

Whilst I concede that it can be particularly hard to separate these two "forms" on photos alone but does everybody agree that these are all Tundra (rossicus)?

[MichaelF]

but does everybody agree that these are all Tundra (rossicus)?
I'm not convinced – the bills look longer than the bill on the accompanying Whitefront, which hints at Taiga.

[Binocularface]

Whilst I concede that it can be particularly hard to separate these two "forms" on photos alone but does everybody agree that these are all Tundra (rossicus)?

I would be fairly confident in calling these birds as rossicus. Certainly the structure of these birds (particularly the bill) would fit this form fairly convincingly IMHO.

[Marcus]

An instructive shot of the two races here:
http://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/naturelatest/pics10/3beans.jpg

[CGK]

Marcus et al.
The photo posted from Shetland is indeed very instructive.
I was in the fortunate position over this last weekend to find both Taiga (8) and Tundra (4) Bean's in Northumberland within 2 miles of each other and for me it was structure and size in comparison with the associated species that clinched the I.D. Bill variation in the fabalis was great with some birds showing much , almost an all orange bill, (with white rim at base) and several showing a small orange patch often associated with rossicus.. Similarly the one of theTundra Beans showed more orange than the others extending back almost to the base of the bill - on bill alone these birds would not have been easy especially if not alongside other species. The fabalis were fortunalty alongside Greylag and the rossicus fed with Pink-feets and in both cases were of an eqivalent size, although I noted the rossicus had a longer tibia and hence 'stood taller' than the Pinkfeet.

Of interest one of the pinkfeet present showed (in all lights and angles) bright orange legs, which could have been a pitfall for many. Photo attached.

Chris