Geese move From Russia With Love… to Oldham

Royton-based ecologist James Walsh finds out more about a rare visitor to Oldham.

Royton-based ecologist James Walsh, also known as The Mancunian Birder

THE name’s Walsh, James Walsh, license to chill, also known as The Mancunian Birder…

“Three Russian White-fronted Geese have flown into the Oldham borough from their breeding grounds in the wilds of Arctic Russia.

“The family party of two adults and a juvenile arrived on Daisy Nook Country Park on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, and have been attracting crowds of enthusiastic birders and wildlife photographers.

“During the day the geese feed on the fields and they return each evening to roost on Crime Lake, the main waterbody in the country park.

“It is almost certainly the first time that Russian White-fronted Goose has occurred in the Oldham borough.

“To identify the Russian White-fronted Goose you are looking for a ‘grey goose’, bigger than a Mallard, but smaller than the resident Canada Geese.

“White-fronted Goose gets its name due to the adults having a very distinctive white blaze on the forehead. They are predominantly fairly rich brown, almost tan coloured, on the head and neck, with dark chocolate brown belly bars. A pink bill and orange legs completes the list of diagnostic features.

“The Russian White-fronted Goose is also known as the Eurasian White-fronted Goose as the species spends the winter in Europe and Asia.

“It is a scarce winter visitor to the British Isles. The biggest numbers are present in the South of England, at Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust nature reserve in Gloucestershire, in East Anglia and on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent.”

“I’ve only seen Russian White-fronted Goose four times in North-west England, twice in Cheshire and twice in Lancashire.

“It is an exceptionally rare bird in Greater Manchester, hence the interest from birders all around the metropolitan county.

“All birders and photographers are advised to park in the Crime Lake car park off Cutler Hill Road, and look for the birds either on Crime Lake or on the fields along Crime Lane.

“If you are making a day of it there are cafes at Daisy Nook Country Park main car park and at The Boathouse, Alexandra Park.”