Pink-footed Geese (photo:SNH)
With the dawn, thousands of pink-footed geese rise from their night-time roosts on the loch shore, providing a dramatic, one-of-a-kind scene for spectators.
About 20,000 pink-footed geese winter at Loch Leven National Nature Reserve, arriving from their breeding grounds in Iceland and Greenland in the autumn and remaining until spring. The pink-footed goose is a medium-sized, grey goose, with a dark head and neck, a pink bill and pink feet and legs.
Loch Leven is Scotland’s largest lowland loch and one of the most important sites for waterfowl in Britain. Its unique environment attracts not only the largest concentration of breeding ducks anywhere in the UK, but also many thousands of migratory ducks, geese and swans every autumn and winter, as well as boasting an interesting variety of wildlife, plants and trees.
Iain Jamieson, SNH reserve officer, said, “It’s definitely worth getting up early to see the spectacle of so many thousands of pink-footed geese rising into the air en masse. Our dawn goose watch is an amazing way to start your day, and we hope plenty of people will come out and learn more about these fascinating birds.”
This free event takes place on Sunday, 24 October from 7am to 9am, meeting at Kirkgate Park. Booking is essential and can be done by calling 01577 864439.