Recent News

Recent News (please note chronological change, most recent news at top of page)

On this page we will try to bring you information on a weekly basis regarding the general movements of the Bean Geese flock on the Slamannan Plateau. Additionally we will also give you information on other bird species so as to make a visit more interesting. Archive Page Previous years observations

Note : Would birdwatchers please not block the entrance to the farm. As the main road is not a safe place to park please park east of Luckenburn Farm at the entrance to Sheilknowes. The geese can then be seen from the wooded area.

During the past three weeks a large flock of c180 bean geese had returned to feed at Luckenburn Farm. This is unusual, but was the result of the farmer removing stock a few weeks earlier allowing the grass to grow and making it suitable for the geese to return and feed.

The 2007/08 season would now seem finished. General observations will continue for a week or so.

Within the last week we have heard of a flock of up to 146 bean geese being seen in Kintyre last February. This may well be the group of birds that we were missing last year. Yesterday I heard that a flock of 91 bean geese have been seen in the same area within the past few days. This again may well be part of the Slamannan flock as our present numbers are c200. If these are our birds then this is a major change in their wintering routine and one that will be monitored with interest.

150 Bean Geese seen leaving the roost area today. Feeding to the north of the area. The geese have been very elusive recently with daylight sightings few and far between. The Bonnybridge area beside the Forth and Clyde canal was searched last week but no bean geese seen. A large flock of c500 Greylag were feeding north of Allandale and roosting at Fannyside Muir within the past week.

The flock is feeding in several large groups over a wide area. Large groups seen this afternoon at Fannyside Mill and Garbethill Muir.

A group of 41 bean geese were seen near the roadside at Garbethill this morning.

Groups of up to c150 birds using fields near East Fannyside Loch recently. A group of 138 were seen at Beam two days ago.

Other species – Female Hen Harrier being seen regularly in the area during daylight hours.

Just after dawn this morning a group of 78 birds were feeding near the road at Fannyside Mill. A second group of c100 birds were feeding just to the east of East Fannyside. A third group were to the south at Pleamuir Plantation. A large group of c100 birds flew north at dawn and disappeared, presumably going to feed at Beam or nearby. A smaller group of c20 birds flew northwest towards Cumbernauld.

Other species – At the roost today a flock of c240 Greylag were on Fannyside Muir. A male and female Hen Harrier are now being seen regularly in the area.

It has been confirmed that our flock this winter has reached 300 birds. The flock has been visited by a number of photographers and some nice shots can be seen on www.surfbirds.com taken by Tristan Reid.

The flock is well spread out over the plateau this week making viewing more difficult as of late.

Bean Geese have been seen at Beam Farm this past two days. A large group were seen yesterday near the roadside at Garbethill.

Other species – 4 Goosanders, 10 Tufted Duck and 250 Teal on East Fannyside Loch yesterday. No other grey geese seen recently.

Visits by several birdwatchers' to Luckenburn am today confirmed that a further influx of birds has taken place.

A large flock of c600 Pinkfeet were seen north of Slamannan yesterday. Bean Geese flock still feeding at Luckenburn.

A visit to the Slamannan area early today confirmed that the flock numbers now stand at 271 birds.

Other species – It has been very quiet so far this winter with only small groups of winter thrushes in evidence. No other grey geese in the area and only an occasional glimpse of a female Hen Harrier.

A further increase in the flock has taken place, with 131 birds being seen today at Luckenburn Farm.

Flock seen today at Luckenburn Farm. C90 birds present.

Note: would birdwatchers please not park near the entrance to Luckenburn Farm as it is a busy time of the year for the farmer and he needs all the space for his farm vehicles to enter his private road. The safest place to view the birds at this location is from the woodland edge near the entrance to Shielknowes Farm. Parking is easier too for cars. Be careful when standing near the roadside as this is a busy main route between Slamannan and Airdrie.

41 bean geese seen this morning at 1030hrs near Fannyside Mill. At the roost area tonight (1920hrs) 81 bean geese landed on East Fannyside Loch for five minutes before flying to Fannyside Muir. 21 Canada Geese arrived on Fannyside Muir at the same time.

Notification has now been received from SNH that the notification of 9 March 2006 has now been ratified by the main board. There were some modifications to the original boundary with a resulting loss of 23.65ha.

The SSSI area of 557.5ha covers much of the core area that the bean geese flock have been using for feeding, loafing and roosting this past 5 years.

The Natural Care scheme has been taken up by some farmers/landowners which will go some way to enhancing the flocks preferred feeding areas.

Wind Turbines – Two large turbines are now being installed at Greendykeside Farm which is located at Grid Ref NS811705. This is south west of the main bean geese wintering area so hopefully the geese will stay well clear of their whirling blades.

Bird news - A flock of 16 Canada Geese were present on Gardrum Moss last week. One female Hen Harrier was seen on Garbethill Muir on the 12th Sep.