Red-breasted Goose, South Woodham Ferrers

We have been keeping an eye on the movements of the Red-breasted Geese since their arrival at Holliwell Point in November. However, the 9km walk had put us off as well as having already seen this species in Essex previously. It remained faithful to the Holliwell site until it crossed the River Crouch and appeared among the Brent Geese flock at Wallasea on the 8th of January. We made the trip on the 9th but although the Brent Geese flock returned to Wallasea there were fewer numbers in the flock and the Red-breasted Goose was not among them. 

Recently it had been moving west along a fifteen-mile stretch of the River Crouch visiting Blue House Farm EWT and then South Woodham Ferrers. When it was reported again today we made the trip parking at the Marsh Farm CP car park and headed along the river bank to view the fields. The Red-breasted Goose was spotted immediately as it was feeding at the front of the main group. 

We then began scanning through the main flock and managed to find two Black Brants and a pale-bellied Brent Goose among the large flock of Dark-bellied.

Black Brant

Pale-bellied