On the 4th January 2009, Chris Bell spotted a Greylag Goose with an orange neck collar within the flock of Canada Geese at Belasis Hall Technology Park, Billingham.
The goose AJJ was first spotted at Saltholme Pools in October 2006 and he was ringed as a 1st year male on 29th February 2004 at Lingham Lake, Nosterfield in North Yorkshire by the WWT / East Dale ringing group. The goose is part of a study undertaken by the Central Science Laboratory, York looking at the risk to wildlife (in this case Greylag Geese) from agricultural pesticides. Despite the large numbers of Greylag Geese in the area AJJ seems to like the company of the Canada Geese more.
I have copied below the details of AJJ movements I received when I reported my sightings in 2006.
5227298 Orange neck collar AJJ
ringed first year male 29/02/2004 Lingham Lake, North Yorkshire
sighted 16/03/2004 Lingham Lake 0km 16 days
sighted 18/03/2004 Nosterfield NR, 2km W 18 days
sighted 01/08/2004 Nosterfield NR, 2km W 154 days
sighted 05/08/2004 Nosterfield NR, 2km W 158 days
sighted 21/08/2004 Staveley NR, 18km SSE 174 days
sighted 19/01/2005 Lingham Lake, 0km 326 days
sighted 02/02/2005 Lingham Lake, 0km 340 days
sighted 12/10/2006 Saltholme Pools,47km,NNE
sighted 06/11/2006 Saltholme Pools,47km,NNE 2yrs 251 days
sighted 09/11/2006 Saltholme Pools,47km, 2 yrs 254 days
If you see a Greylag Goose with an orange neck collar, read the ring and send your sightings to the address below.
Philip Bone Phone: +44 (0)1904 462064
Field Ornithologist/EBG1 GTN: 5129
Central Science Laboratory Fax: +44 (0)1904 462111
Sand Hutton Email: p.bone@csl.gov.uk
York YO41 1LZ Web: http://www.csl.gov.uk