In
recent years (since 2002?) there has been a steady increase in the
number of Greylags breeding in Øygarden. For birders and the
local raptor population this is great news as both adults and young can
fall prey to White-tailed Eagle, Eagle Owl and Goshawk. Hopefully this
increase helps to offset the decline in seabirds such that these
impressive birds of prey can continue to flourish.
Flocks of up to a couple of hundred Greylags gather in April and are
often put to flight by White-tailed Eagles. A colour ringing study is
also underway and birds that have been seen in the Harkestad -
Tjeldstø - Sture area which were ringed during moulting
further south in Norway have been resighted in both Germany
and
Holland. At least one bird (VJ3) has continued to breed near Husvatnet,
Tjeldstø.
Greylag taking off, Tjeldstø, Øygarden, April 2011
Greylag
in flight, taken from my terrace, 29 March 2008
Picture taken using hand-held DSLR and 400mm telephoto lens
Greylag chicks are a common sight in Øygarden, Nautnes, 15
May 2007
The first young birds are generally seen in the last few days of April
/ first few days of May
Greylag nest, early April
This bird has been seen in Holland in the winter months but returns to
Tjeldstø to breed
Other neck-ringed birds that have been observed in Øygarden
have been sighted in Germany during the winter
This is the first time I saw "VJ", April 2018
And the data that came up when I entered his details - this bird has
been seen in the area many times since then and it is always
interesting to see the number of sightings building up. The site I use
to report these sightings is this one.
White-tailed Eagle scaring the geese, Tjeldstø, May 2018
Greylags
have some well developed defence strategies against predation by
White-tailed Eagles. As soon as the eagles are sighted gesse from a
large area flock together and will often land on one of the lakes -
Husvatnet at Tjeldstø is particularly popular. Seeing a large
flock of gesse swimming out on the water here is a good sign that an
eagle has been in the area very recently. Once they have young they can
no longer do this so they get out into open water with their young
gathered together between them, then, as the eagle stoops to attack the
young are told to dive and the adults flap their wings and stretch
their necks out towards the eagle - sometimes even jumping out of the
water towards the eagle. This tactic is surprisingly effective and
saves many young birds.
Tjeldstø,
20
December 2005. Probably an Icelandic visitor.
Above and below digiscoped images with Nikon Coolpix
