Friesland, The Netherlands late in January

I first visited the Netherlands in September 1989, and have since only visited rather briefly on my way to the UK by road. The last time was in 2016. During the last week of January 2020, the Goose Specialist Group held its 19th meeting at Leeuwarden, which is the administrative centre of Friesland. On 30th January we had a bus excursion where we saw literally hundreds of thousands of geese. We were even lucky enough to see the famous Dutch goose catchers in action and with a successful catch!

Flock of Barnacle Geese Branta leucopsis and Greater White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons albifrons

Same two species as above, with the addition of Greylag Geese Anser anser

Greater White-fronted Geese moving between feeding sites

The Netherlands is famous for its windmills. But modern windmills pose a threat due to a risk of collision. Here a flock of Barnacle and Greater White-fronted Geese passing between several mills.

A young White-fronted Goose being colour-ringed and measured after being caught in a clap net. Such ringing yields valuable information on the life histories of these and other goose species.