Outing to:
Dawn Goose Watch at RSPB Loch Lomond © David Palmar
RSPB Loch Lomond
early morning goose watch
Saturday 21st January 2023
early morning goose watch
Saturday 21st January 2023
PRICE: Free, with a suggested donation of £5 to RSPB
TIME: 06:00 - approx. 10.00
VENUE: Meet at 6.00am at the RSPB Loch Lomond car park at the Hub (Entrance to the reserve is at Grid Ref NS438869; Google Map reference ; What3Words ///chestnuts.chugging.daily). We are arranging for the gate to be open. The hub is a short distance down the entrance road then turn left into the car park. (Note that the postcode G83 8SB is approximate and misleading).
NOTE: The road bridge in Croftamie is closed, and there is a diversion via the A81/A811cross-roads at The Aizle. An alternative route via Balloch may be more suitable, but please check your journey and allow extra time if necessary, as the geese won't wait for us!
We're allowing 1 hour for the walk along the new path and boardwalk to Shore Wood, then to Net Bay, where we will stand, listen and wait for action!
The geese should lift from the loch at dawn where they have roosted overnight, in order to fly to the fields where they feed during the day.
There may be some of Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Pink-footed Geese and/or Greenland White-fronted Geese.
BOOKING INFO: Due to the early morning start, and because RSPB are hoping to provide a member of staff to accompany us, on this occasion we are asking people to book.
Booking will be restricted to SOC members, will be open in the new year, and will be announced by email to members who have subscribed to emails for this purpose.
We will be limiting the number attending to 12 participants plus leaders. This is to ensure the safety of the party when walking in the darkness and to limit the amount of disturbance at the goose roosting location. It is therefore essential that any member hoping to attend should book a place.
A waiting list will be operated if we are over subscribed.
In the event of a poor weather forecast for Saturday but better for Sunday, e.g. if the boardwalk is forecast to be icy, or if there are high winds which would make walking through a wood dangerous, the plan is to postpone till Sunday 22nd January.
A decision will be made on Friday evening and those booked will receive an email, so check your email on Friday evening please.
If we have to make a last-minute decision, we will not be able to guarantee to change this page, SOC website and Clyde Birding on Twitter in advance as we would normally do in the event of cancellation.
TERRAIN: Gravel paths and boardwalk.
ACCESSIBILITY:
RSPB's accessibility statement, both for getting to the reserve, and for access within it, is at:
www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/loch-lomond/accessibility/
In addition, please note that access to Shore Wood along the new path is not all level and the boardwalk may be slippery.
Full information about all the trails including photos can be found at:
www.accessibilityguides.org/content/rspb-scotland-loch-lomond
If anyone has any specific access enquiries, they can contact the reserve staff directly at [email protected]
OPTICS: Binoculars essential and optionally a scope for Net Bay but please be prepared to carry it for about a mile and a half there and a mile and a half back.
FOOTWEAR and CLOTHING: Walking boots ideally, and appropriate warm waterproof clothing for the conditions.
Torch, preferably a head torch, with fully charged batteries is essential. A red-light head torch would be even better, as it reduces disturbance and helps people's vision in the dark.
Additional Information
The outing is suitable for keen birdwatchers.
Participants should have a reasonable level of fitness and be comfortable with walking for an hour in total darkness.
Remember that wildlife is wildlife. There is no guarantee that the geese will be present on any particular day. Depending on weather conditions they may choose to roost elsewhere so there is always a chance that, despite the early start, there may be no geese to see. However, there should be a selection of other birds.
Toilets at the hub. Any drinks or food required should be brought as there are no café facilities. A hot drink is recommended.
Link to RSPB Loch Lomond website: www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/loch-lomond/
The walk will be led by Ian Fulton.
You might like to listen to goose calls in advance, such as this page on xeno-canto.org which includes White-fronted Goose calls from the Wexford Slobs in Ireland, where the Loch Lomond birds also migrate.
COVID-19 precautions
In order to keep everyone safe, our walks will be run in accordance with Scottish Government guidelines in place at the time.
Please do not attend if you (or anyone in your household) have any Covid-like symptoms.
TIME: 06:00 - approx. 10.00
VENUE: Meet at 6.00am at the RSPB Loch Lomond car park at the Hub (Entrance to the reserve is at Grid Ref NS438869; Google Map reference ; What3Words ///chestnuts.chugging.daily). We are arranging for the gate to be open. The hub is a short distance down the entrance road then turn left into the car park. (Note that the postcode G83 8SB is approximate and misleading).
NOTE: The road bridge in Croftamie is closed, and there is a diversion via the A81/A811cross-roads at The Aizle. An alternative route via Balloch may be more suitable, but please check your journey and allow extra time if necessary, as the geese won't wait for us!
We're allowing 1 hour for the walk along the new path and boardwalk to Shore Wood, then to Net Bay, where we will stand, listen and wait for action!
The geese should lift from the loch at dawn where they have roosted overnight, in order to fly to the fields where they feed during the day.
There may be some of Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Pink-footed Geese and/or Greenland White-fronted Geese.
BOOKING INFO: Due to the early morning start, and because RSPB are hoping to provide a member of staff to accompany us, on this occasion we are asking people to book.
Booking will be restricted to SOC members, will be open in the new year, and will be announced by email to members who have subscribed to emails for this purpose.
We will be limiting the number attending to 12 participants plus leaders. This is to ensure the safety of the party when walking in the darkness and to limit the amount of disturbance at the goose roosting location. It is therefore essential that any member hoping to attend should book a place.
A waiting list will be operated if we are over subscribed.
In the event of a poor weather forecast for Saturday but better for Sunday, e.g. if the boardwalk is forecast to be icy, or if there are high winds which would make walking through a wood dangerous, the plan is to postpone till Sunday 22nd January.
A decision will be made on Friday evening and those booked will receive an email, so check your email on Friday evening please.
If we have to make a last-minute decision, we will not be able to guarantee to change this page, SOC website and Clyde Birding on Twitter in advance as we would normally do in the event of cancellation.
TERRAIN: Gravel paths and boardwalk.
ACCESSIBILITY:
RSPB's accessibility statement, both for getting to the reserve, and for access within it, is at:
www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/loch-lomond/accessibility/
In addition, please note that access to Shore Wood along the new path is not all level and the boardwalk may be slippery.
Full information about all the trails including photos can be found at:
www.accessibilityguides.org/content/rspb-scotland-loch-lomond
If anyone has any specific access enquiries, they can contact the reserve staff directly at [email protected]
OPTICS: Binoculars essential and optionally a scope for Net Bay but please be prepared to carry it for about a mile and a half there and a mile and a half back.
FOOTWEAR and CLOTHING: Walking boots ideally, and appropriate warm waterproof clothing for the conditions.
Torch, preferably a head torch, with fully charged batteries is essential. A red-light head torch would be even better, as it reduces disturbance and helps people's vision in the dark.
Additional Information
The outing is suitable for keen birdwatchers.
Participants should have a reasonable level of fitness and be comfortable with walking for an hour in total darkness.
Remember that wildlife is wildlife. There is no guarantee that the geese will be present on any particular day. Depending on weather conditions they may choose to roost elsewhere so there is always a chance that, despite the early start, there may be no geese to see. However, there should be a selection of other birds.
Toilets at the hub. Any drinks or food required should be brought as there are no café facilities. A hot drink is recommended.
Link to RSPB Loch Lomond website: www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/loch-lomond/
The walk will be led by Ian Fulton.
You might like to listen to goose calls in advance, such as this page on xeno-canto.org which includes White-fronted Goose calls from the Wexford Slobs in Ireland, where the Loch Lomond birds also migrate.
COVID-19 precautions
In order to keep everyone safe, our walks will be run in accordance with Scottish Government guidelines in place at the time.
Please do not attend if you (or anyone in your household) have any Covid-like symptoms.