A Tundra Bean Goose at Fishers Green, 18th February 2026

A RSPB SE Herts Local Group walk around Fishers Green, Essex which was well attended and always good to introduce some new people to this area. Whilst the wintering Bittern was proving elusive again we had good views of a Black Swan! This bird has been around for a while now and is an obvious escape from a local collection. Never the less, still a striking bird even if it has not flown in from Australia!

The bird we were seeking out though, was on the fields by Fishers Green Lane associating with the local Greylag Geese - Tundra Bean Goose. A scarce Winter visitor to our shores, though there has been something of an influx this year together with White-fronted Geese. Initially it was resting.

However, it did wake up and started to wander round with the Greylags. In these next two pictures it is the bird on the left. Note the slightly smaller size and totally different bill.

Like all of our overwintering Geese, they are fleeing freezing areas where they breed for our milder climate. A few shots now of the bird on its own.

A smart looking Goose! Otherwise, a fairly quiet walk, but we did over 40 species of birds. Hall Marsh scrape however was almost totally devoid of wildlife which was rather worrying. Watch out for the next Blog which continues the Essex theme!