Whoopers, Taiga Bean and Tundra Beans

At Skatval, on the opposite side of the Stjørdalfjord from where we live, there are often som wintering Whooper Swans Cygnus cygnus (N=sangsvane). Numbers have fluctuated and they move around so much that counting is tricky, but at most there have been about 100 birds there. They are feeding on cereal stubbles. 

Also of interest there is one Taiga Bean Goose Anser fabalis fabalis (N=taigasædgås), which was ringed at Slamannan in central Scotland in 2014. This bird turned up alone, having become separated from its partner, whose fate is unknown. Normally birds from Slamannan fly to Denmark, then to Akershus in SE Norway before arriving at the breeding grounds in southern Sweden. The bird at Skatval is certainly off course, and at the time of writing (15th March) has been wandering around the Trondheimsfjord.  

There are three Tundra Bean Geese Anser serrirostris rossicus (N=tundrasædgås) with the Whooper Swans at Skatval. At times the Taiga Bean has also joined them, but seems "happier"(?) in the company of swans. 

Whooper Swans

Taiga Bean Goose with grey neck collar 7V at Skatval 12.03.2021 in glorious sunshine (and heat-haze)

Same bird on snow-covered stubble field at Skatval 07.03.2021

Tundra Bean Geese, Skatval 15.03.2021. Can you see the difference between these and the Taiga Bean?