The Pink-footed Geese arrived a little later this year with the large influx not recorded until around 23 September. A few days later numbers were over 50,000. Since then, their numbers have dropped as many continue their journey south but at the moment there are still around 20,000. A few other geese have arrived at the same time including Pale-bellied Brent Geese with up to 70 seen at one point. These don’t tend to stay on Findhorn Bay as the habitat is not quite right for them. Over the winter they can usually be seen along the coast at Nairn,
For several weeks in late summer a group of 40+ Canada Geese were on the bay for their moult. During this period they are flightless but most have now moved on having completed their moult. Another Canada Goose has recently arrived with the Pink-feet which doesn’t appear to be part of the feral Canada Goose population that was here earlier. This bird is smaller and may well be a true North American goose. It is not small enough to be a Cackling Goose, but could possibly be a Todd’s Canada Goose which is one of the North American subspecies. Positive identification is difficult though.
Also present at the moment are 4 Scaup – 3 males and a female.