Russian White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons albifrons
Scarce winter visitor, mostly September-April, occasionally fairly common. Northern Russia, Siberia.
Russian White-fronted Geese: left, Alkborough Flats December 24th 2010 (Graham Catley); centre, Gibraltar Point November 13th 2011 (Paul Neale); right, Far Ings December 18th 2016 (Graham Catley).
Historically Caton Haigh noted that it was almost unknown on the north-east coast until 1917, after which it became a regular visitor. The Atlas noted that during 1980-1999 and in good years more than 500 could be found wintering with the largest flocks of up to 100 usually being found on the coast. Most of our winterers are of the nominate race arriving in small but regular numbers from October onwards with birds arriving from the near continent during cold weather movements. In recent times flocks of 10-20 have been regularly recorded across the county and at inland locations where more wet grassland has become available. A family party of six at Frampton Marsh in 2008 was the first record for that reserve since its inception and small numbers occur at other inland sites such as Baston & Langtoft GP, Deeping Lakes NR, Messingham SQ and Tattershall Lakes. The year 2011 saw some impressive cold weather movements into the county with maxima of 47 at Alkborough Flats January 1st, 60 at Donna Nook and 18 Frampton Marsh January 6th. The autumn-winter of 2011 also saw significant numbers with maxima of 122 Alkborough Flats, 50 Donna Nook, 36 Frampton Marsh, 74 Gibraltar Point, and 57 Huttoft Bank.
(Account as per new Birds of Lincolnshire (2021), included September 2022)