It currently possesses around 100,000 individuals despite the first breeding pair not being observed there until the 1960s. The Netherlands is home to a larger non-native population of Egyptian Geese than the United Kingdom. There is even a colony growing in the East Midlands. Strongholds also exist in other areas of the country, like along the Thames in London and the gravel pits of Berkshire. Fifteen years ago, the population grew exponentially, and experts estimate there are 900 breeding pairs in Norfolk alone. Forty years ago, their wild numbers gradually increased, and their established breeding area grew from the Norfolk Broads to wider Norfolk. The north Norfolk coast is home to the highest population of Egyptian Geese in England, particularly in areas such as the Norfolk Broads.Įgyptian Geese are also slowly establishing populations further afield in the United States of America and Western Europe.Īre there Egyptian Geese in England or the Netherlands?Įgyptian Geese were introduced to England by the gentry in the late 17th century, but individuals escaped and began establishing themselves in the wild over time. Breeding in the West Country and even northern England around the Humber Estuary has been observed. In the UK, while they were initially limited to a small region of Norfolk, the Egyptian Goose is now a thriving species across Greater London and the surrounding counties. The exact size of their native population is unknown but is thought to be at least 500,000 individuals. Within their native range in Africa (seen at right from Wikipedia), the Egyptian goose is steadily declining however, their numbers are currently maintaining a high enough number to classify them as the least concern species globally on the IUCN Red List. The species also possesses a long neck and legs that appear quite goose-like. On the water, it is very duck-like, whereas, in flight, it seems to be heavy, resembling a goose. The Egyptian Goose appears to be a versatile species, though, which can cause some confusion. Where can I find a unique bird feeder for sale?ĭespite its misleading name, the Egyptian Goose is a species belonging to the shelduck family rather than a goose.Are there Egyptian Geese in Texas, Florida, or California?.Are there Egyptian Geese in England or the Netherlands?.Ancient Egyptians considered the Egyptian Goose sacred, and it made regular appearances in the civilizations' artwork. Over time it escaped these estates, and today Egyptian Geese are thriving in Western Europe, the United States of America, and New Zealand. Native to sub-tropical Africa south of the Sahara and Nile Valley, the Egyptian Goose was introduced to Britain in the late 17th century as an ornamental bird for the aristocracy. Both male and female Egyptian Geese have a similar resemblance.Īlthough once common along the length of the Nile Valley, the Egyptian Goose is no longer abundant within the country from which it takes its name. They are strikingly ornate birds with beautiful coloration. The Egyptian Goose is distinctive thanks to dark brown eye patches, making it appear to be wearing dark glasses. You can hear this from a male and female calling in alternation in CD2-83.Egyptian Geese ( Alopochen aegyptiaca) are pale brown and grey with contrasting white wing patches in flight. If anything there is sometimes a slight deceleration, the first note or two being noticeably shorter, as if the bird stutters to get started. In Wryneck, there is a slight rise in pitch too, but none of our recordings show an obvious acceleration. You can hear this clearly in CD2-82, a male and female calling in turn having recently returned to their breeding grounds. In other words, at the start of a call the notes become progressively shorter and higher-pitched before stabilising. Magnus tells me that the more Wryneck-like examples of Hobby in our collection all start with an acceleration, coinciding with a slight rise in pitch. So how can we tell Hobbies apart from some of the species that give similar sounds? Wryneck can sound very similar indeed, and although they are rare in the harbour, the potential for confusion does exist. Other young Hobbies stay on their wintering grounds, or else move north but not far enough to reach Poole Harbour. The adults arrive in May, while some yearlings pop back in June for a bit of prospecting. Maybe I just don’t hear enough of the real thing, and yet with about half a dozen pairs of Hobby in the harbour I get to see them often enough. I actually recorded that pair of Peregrines interacting at dusk one winter on Soldier’s Road, where you can see Hobbies a few months later. The last two don’t sound much like the others, but show that there is even potential for confusion between Hobby and Peregrine.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |