Red-breasted goose, Cley Marshes, Norfolk (1 Viewer)

[condor1992]

Thursday 4th January 2024. Surprisingly difficult to pick out in a flock of wintering brent geese. Its association with a flock of brent geese identifies it as a vagrant from N Siberia rather than the other option. Entire flock briefly flushed by F-35 jet over reserve

 

[PYRTLE]

Entire flock briefly flushed by F-35 jet over reserve

Which brought the rbg closer to birders.
Remembering that today is 10 years since the fatal Black Hawk helicopter crash on the edge of the reserve, after hitting a flock of geese.

 

[condor1992]

Which brought the rbg closer to birders.
Remembering that today is 10 years since the fatal Black Hawk helicopter crash on the edge of the reserve, after hitting a flock of geese.

That's not exactly what happened, but close.
When the jet came, the flock stampeded and flew directly away from the noise source. The larger flock with the RBG in it flew nearly all the way to the main road and settled in a much smaller field. Because there was a road running right next to that field, it meant the goose could be observed at much closer range.
When observing the goose, I've heard suggestions that low-flying aircraft should be banned from flying over the reserve. I agree.

 

[Neilbirder]

That's not exactly what happened, but close.
When the jet came, the flock stampeded and flew directly away from the noise source. The larger flock with the RBG in it flew nearly all the way to the main road and settled in a much smaller field. Because there was a road running right next to that field, it meant the goose could be observed at much closer range.
When observing the goose, I've heard suggestions that low-flying aircraft should be banned from flying over the reserve. I agree.

You would think the USAF would avoid the area!

 

[PYRTLE]

That's not exactly what happened, but close.
When the jet came, the flock stampeded and flew directly away from the noise source. The larger flock with the RBG in it flew nearly all the way to the main road and settled in a much smaller field. Because there was a road running right next to that field, it meant the goose could be observed at much closer range.
When observing the goose, I've heard suggestions that low-flying aircraft should be banned from flying over the reserve. I agree.

I worked at Cley Marshes NWT for many years before, during and after the fatal HH60 accident......incidents of low flying fixed and rotary wing military aircraft were regular and reported via the appropriate channels, not just the USAF I should add. Private aircraft and paragliders remain a problem, flying under 500' along the shoreline and thus disturbing roosting, breeding and feeding birds whilst military exercises over the reserve have reduced though nearby offshore is a designated (ARA8) air refuelling block and training area. At a given height and notification the Muckleborough collection is also used as an MOD training waypoint.
I love the image of Brents stampeding.