Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Multi Media Mapping.

The bean goose flock spends the winter in an area known as the Slamannan Plateau, an upland area in Central Scotland between Edinburgh and Glasgow. The area extends to 3600 hectares, and its altitude varies from 145m near Balmitchell to 204m at High Stanerigg.It is situated about 6km south of Falkirk and 5km east of Cumbernauld (see map above).  A more detailed area map is the Ordnance Survey LandRanger Series No 65 & 64 and explorer 349.

The area lies across the boundaries of Falkirk and North Lanarkshire Councils. Some 557 hectares were notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in September 2007 and are currently proposed as a Special Protection Area (pSPA) under the EC Wild Birds Directive. A complementary Natural Care Scheme was launched by Scottish Natural Heritage in February 2006. Both Local Authorities have developed a joint Bean Goose Species Action Plan for their respective Local Biodiversity Action Plans.

The main geographical features are the valley of the River Avon with its associated mires, farmland, strip-woods and shelterbelts, the high ground with rougher fields and moorland, including Fannyside and Garbethill Muirs and Darnrigg Moss, three water bodies in Loch Ellrig and the two Fannyside Lochs. There are some large conifer plantations at Fannyside, Garbethill, Binniehill, Rashiehill, Lochgreen and Shielknowes.

The main land use in the area is farming, mostly stock rearing but with a few arable areas for hay/silage. Dairy farming, which used to have an important part to play in the Bean Goose feeding regime has now ceased at Beam Farm. The present owners who have a mainly equestrian interest still maintain the main goose field by using it for sheep throughout the year. This arrangement has been beneficial to the bean goose flock.

Open cast mining has also taken place on the plateau but has now ceased. Some fields have been restored to improved grassland and are at presently managed well. Sadly some other areas have been reinstated but the ground has been neglected and not managed in any way which would be beneficial to geese. Another has yet to be reinstated.

The bean geese are site faithful to fields that they know well and each winter return to these same fields which they graze in rotation. Within the past five years the bean geese have stayed to the west of Slamannan when feeding and never recorded to the east towards Balmitchell. Within the last two years they have also moved westwards to Bandominie Farm and Wester Lochgreen to exploit available grazing. They have a preference for fields which are free from disturbance and some distance from roads/buildings.