Red-breasted Goose
Branta ruficollis (Pallas, 1769) (7, 3)
Photo © Keith Naylor, Budle Bay, Northumberland, 28th September 2023
STATUS
Palearctic. Monotypic.
OVERVIEW
Saunders (1899: 407, 2nd ed.) says: 'It is a rare wanderer and all our authenticated specimens in existence have been obtained in the east. Two about 1776, one in 1818 and 1871, and two said to have been obtained in Devon and one in Norfolk.'
BOU (1971: 36) say: 'Two 18th century, five 19th century, three 1909-41.' However, the 1776 Wycliffe record is not admitted by any of the north-eastern counties involved and the two records in Devon said to have been obtained there are classed as escapes by them. Cumbria have accepted their record of 1918, which is additional.
RECORDS
1). 1776 Greater London Near London, Middlesex, shot, early in the year, now at Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
(Latham, 1781-85; Montagu, 1802; Fox, 1827; Selby, 1833; J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1871: 2513; Gurney, 1876; Yarrell, 1871-85; Seebohm, 1883-85; Swann, 1893; Howse, 1899; BOU, 1915; Witherby, 1920-24; Temperley, 1951).
History Latham (1785 (3): 455) says: 'One of these was shot near London in the beginning of the severe frost of the year 1766...' Montagu (1802) says: 'One, Dr. Latham informs us, was shot near London in the severe frost of 1766.'
G. T. Fox (1827) in his Synopsis of the Newcastle Museum, quoting Marmaduke Tunstall's MS. relating to his Wycliffe Museum, says: 'Have a beautiful specimen of this scarce species....It was shot in the severe frost in the beginning of the year 1776, near London.'
Selby (1833 (2): 276) says: 'It is known in Britain only as a rare visitant, when driven by tempestuous weather out of the usual course of its migrations. But five or six instances of its capture are on record: the first occurred near London in the year 1776, and the specimen passed into the hands of Mr. Tunstall, and from it (now in the Museum at Newcastle-upon-Tyne) the figure in the present work has been taken.'
James Edmund Harting (1871) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VI. p. 2513, dated 4th February 1871, on the eleven occurrences to date, says: 'One, near London, winter 1766.'
Gurney (1876: 269) says: 'The fine specimen which was shot near London in 1776 – the locality must not be taken too literally (Fox's Newcastle Mus., pp. 96, 212) – is still in good order. It would seem from external appearance to have the breast-bone in, which was the old mode of stuffing.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 282, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, and as the first for Britain (Seebohm 1885 (3): 515).
Howse (1899: 110) in his Index-Catalogue of the Birds in the Hancock Collection, says: 'Case 72. From the Wycliffe and Allan Museums. Remark. This the first recorded British specimen was shot near London, 1776. Figured by Bewick.'
Admitted nationally in their second List of British Birds (BOU 1915) and by Gurney (1921: 229) in the Early Annals of Ornithology who lists the first record for Britain as occurring in 1776 (Tunstall).
Temperley (1951: 169) adds: 'This specimen passed to the Hancock Museum, Newcastle, where it was often mistakenly said to be a bird that was found later in the same year near Wycliffe-on-Tees, Yorkshire.'
Comment The severe frost ran from 9th January to 2nd February, 1776, but there was also extreme cold in the winter of 1766 (www.pascalbonenfant.com).
2). 1818 Northumberland Fenham Flats, killed, undated, now at British Museum, Tring.
(Fleming, 1828; Selby, 1833; Yarrell, 1845; Turnbull, 1867; J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1871: 2513; Gurney, 1876; Yarrell, 1871-85; Bolam, 1912; Witherby, 1920-24; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83; Kerr, 2001).
History Fleming (1828: 128) says: 'One was shot near Berwick-on-Tweed by Mr. Burney, gunsmith, and sent to Mr. Bullock, in whose possession I saw it in May 1818.'
Selby (1833 (2): 276) says: 'It is known in Britain only as a rare visitant, when driven by tempestuous weather out of the usual course of its migrations. But five or six instances of its capture are on record: …a third, shot near Berwick-upon-Tweed, was sent to Mr. Bullock, in whose museum it remained till the dispersion of that celebrated collection.'
Yarrell (1845 (3): 171, 2nd ed.) says: 'A third was killed near Berwick-upon-Tweed, and formed part of Mr. Bullock's celebrated collection. This specimen is now preserved in the British Museum.'
Turnbull (1867, 2nd ed.) says: 'One shot near Berwick-on-Tweed, about 1818.'
James Edmund Harting (1871) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VI. p. 2513, dated 4th February 1871, on the eleven occurrences to date, says: 'One, near Berwick-on-Tweed, 1818.'
Gurney (1876: 270) under 'Analysis of the Claims of Certain Birds to be Accounted British', of the Red-breasted Goose, says: 'Accounts differ as to whether the slayer of that one killed at Berwick was a Mr. Burney or a Mr. Innes of Oserwick; but it does not much signify, as I consider it well established that it really was killed there.' Further, p. 271, he adds: '...and the Berwick specimen (which is not in perfect plumage) was sold for the still larger sum of twenty seven pounds to Dr. Leach. This is confirmed in an old MS. note in the library of Professor Newton.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 282, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, who adds: 'One killed near Berwick-upon-Tweed in 1818 formed part of Mr. Bullock's celebrated collection; and having been purchased by Leach for £27, is now preserved in the British Museum.'
Bolam (1912: 351-352) says: 'Old Reed, who for many years lived at Fenham, and shot over the slakes lying between that place and Holy Island, told me in 1879, that he remembered a Red-breasted Goose being shot on the slakes during his young days, "The only one ever heard of", and though he did not know what became of it, and though its slayer was then long since dead, there seems little doubt that it must have been the specimen referred to above, in which case "near Berwick" means Fenham Flats.'
Accepted locally (Galloway & Meek 1978-83; Kerr 2001).
Comment Most of William Bullock's collection was purchased for the British Museum.
3). 1871 Essex Ray Sands, Dengie Coast, near Maldon, shot, 6th January, now at Colchester Museum, Essex (Acc. No. COLNH.1958.11.6).
(J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1871: 2514; R. Poole, Field 21st Jan., 1871: 37; J. E. Harting, Field 4th Feb., 1871: 52; Gurney, 1876; Yarrell, 1871-85; Christy, 1890; Witherby, 1920-24; Glegg, 1929; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984; Wood, 2007).
History J. Edmund Harting (1871) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VI. p. 2514, dated 4th February, 1871, says: 'To this list [of the previous eleven records] may now be added: "One, Maldon, Essex, January 6, 1871". The bird which is now in my collection, was shot out of a flock of Brent Geese. It is possible that others may have been in company with it and escaped, for no one can compare the two species without being struck by the similarity of their structure, and the consequent adaptation of such structure to similar habits. Unfortunately this specimen was not sexed, nor was the sternum preserved, hence an opportunity has been lost of comparing the internal structure with that of allied species. The skin, however, is a very perfect one, and was quite fresh when it reached me.'
Richard Poole of Maldon (1871) in The Field of 21st Jan., Vol. XXXVII. p. 37, dated 11th January, says: 'A fine specimen of this rare goose was shot at Maldon on the 13th inst. in the River Blackwater, and, as it is a bird which so seldom visits our coast, I think this instance worthy of record. Yarrell states that the first specimen met with in England was taken near London during the severe frost of 1776, and that it was preserved in the museum of Newcastle-on-Tyne. He also mentions one or two other instances of its capture in England. The one I now record is perfect in plumage, and has been carefully preserved by Mr. Blanks, naturalist of this town, who was fortunate in thus securing it. On comparing it this afternoon closely with Yarrell's description, I was particularly pleased to notice how faithfully and accurately it is there given.'
J. E. Harting (1871) in The Field of 4th Feb., Vol. XXXVII. p. 52, says: 'As the fortunate possessor of the Red-breasted Goose (Anser ruficollis), which was recorded in The Field of Jan. 21 as having been killed at Maldon, I have elicited, and now send you, the following further particulars in connection with its capture. During the present winter large flocks of Brent Geese have frequented the Essex coast, affording considerable sport to the owners of gunning punts. On the 6th inst. (not the 13th, as inadvertently stated in Mr. Poole's letter) a wildfowler, having got within range of one of these flocks by daybreak, fired into the midst, and picked up amongst the wounded this Red-breasted Goose, which had been winged. He immediately broke its neck, and laid it in the punt with its more sable congeners, ignorant of its name and value. On coming into Maldon, however, with the proceeds of his morning's sport, the bird was luckily recognised and rescued from oblivion by Mr. Blanks, the local naturalist, from whom I have since purchased it. Unfortunately, the sex of the bird was not ascertained, neither was any portion of the anatomy saved except the skin. The latter, however, has been very well preserved, and I doubt whether a more perfect or more brilliant specimen has ever been procured in this country.'
Gurney (1876: 271) says: 'Thirty-one pounds which was offered and taken for the Maldon specimen – the latest and the best authenticated, is now the property of Mr. Marshall of Taunton.'
Glegg (1929) says: 'This bird was shot out of a flock of Brent Geese Branta bernicla on the Ray Sands, when a number of puntsmen were gunning. It was picked up by one of the party named Mr. Josiah Pitt. The haul, including this bird was given to another of the party, Mr. Henry Handley, to dispose of, and after some difficulty he sold it to a Maldon birdstuffer for 1s. 6d. The purchaser Mr. Robert Blanks, set up the bird, and had it identified by Mr. R. Poole, who informed Mr. Harting of the occurrence, into whose possession it passed for the sum of £5. The bird was sold at Stevens's Rooms, on 6th June 1872, for £31. 10s., to Mr. J. Marshall, of Belmont, Taunton.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 282, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
Christy (1890: 197) says: 'Mr. E. A. Fitch, who has taken some trouble to investigate the history of this specimen, writes in the Essex Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 35, "It was on Jan. 6th, 1871, that Henry Handley, with his brother John, Josiah Pitt, John Basham, and seven others, were gunning on the Ray Sands, popularly called the "Main", where amongst a quantity of Black (Brent) Geese they shot one of the rare Red-breasted species (Bernicla ruficollis). It was shot off the south part of the Bachelor Spit – in the bight of the Bachelor – and was picked up, winged, by Josiah Pitt. The birds were brought home and given to Henry Handley to hawk round the town of Maldon, as was his wont, at two shillings each, but nobody would have the 'foreigner', so Handley had resort to Robert Blanks, a local birdstuffer, now deceased, and, after abating sixpence off his two shillings, sold it to him. Blanks set up the bird and took it to Mr. Richard Poole, who identified it by Yarrell as the Red-breasted Goose, and wrote to the Editor of The Field, asking what it was worth. Mr. Harting replied that he would willingly give five pounds for the bird, should it prove to belong to the species represented. Blanks, of course, was willing to sell at this (to him) enormous price, and the specimen became Mr. Harting's property. When this gentleman parted with all his birds that were stuffed and set up, limiting his Collection to skins only, the specimen was knocked down at Stevens' Rooms on the 6th of June, 1872, for £31. 10s., to John Marshall, Esq., of Belmont, Taunton, in whose possession it still remains".'
Saunders (1899, 2nd ed.) says: '...that this bird was in the possession of Mr. Wilfrid Marshall, Norton Manor, Taunton.'
Wood (2007: 58) states that this specimen is in the Colchester Museum, Essex (Acc. No. COLNH.1958.11.6).
4). 1909 Avon Oldbury-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, adult, shot, 18th November, now at Bristol City Museum.
(H. W. Robinson, British Birds 3: 376; H. H. Davis & B. W. Tucker, British Birds 35: 85; Witherby, 1920-24; H. E. Rose, Avon Bird Report 2000: 170).
History H. W. Robinson (1910) in British Birds, Vol. III. p. 376, says: 'A fine specimen of the Red-breasted Goose (Bernicla ruficollis) was shot on the banks of the Severn on November 18th, 1909, and was set up by Mr. Lewis Hutton, Broad Quay, Bristol. It is now in the possession of Mr. H. Knapp, of Salmon Lodge, Oldbury-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, who informs me that it is a splendid specimen in full plumage, and was hardly marked at all by the shot. He presumes it to be a male by the brightness of the plumage, but this is no characteristic of its sex.'
Admitted nationally (Witherby 1920-24).
H. H. Davis & B. W. Tucker (1941-42) in British Birds, Vol. XXXV. p. 85, say: '...it may be of interest to recall that one of the few other British specimens was an adult shot at Oldbury-on-Severn on November 18th, 1909 (British Birds 3: 376), which has recently been acquired for the Bristol Museum from Mr. H. Knapp, who shot it and in whose possession it has been in the interval.'
BOU (1971) mentions three records during 1909-1941, which must include this record as it is the only one for 1909. Accepted locally (H. E. Rose (2000) Avon Bird Report, p. 170).
5). 1918 Cumbria Long Newton Marsh, seen, November.
(L. E. Hope, Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society 3: 32; Witherby, 1920-24; Eds., British Birds 18: 175; E. Blezard, Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society 6: 89; C. Hartley, Birds and Wildlife in Cumbria 2008: 26-27).
History L. E. Hope (1923) in the Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society, Vol. III. p. 32, in the Appendix to Lakeland Ornithology read on 1st February 1923, says: 'After the foregoing records, and the positive evidence of the visitations of Snow Geese to the Solway, one is not surprised to hear of a visit of a Red-breasted Goose, and especially when such a good and reliable observer as Mr. W. Nichol is the recorder. Mr. Nichol, says: "I saw a Red-breasted Goose in company with Barnacles, on Long Newton Marsh, in November, 1918". Mr. Nichol's knowledge of the ducks and geese of the Solway is unequalled.'
In an Editorial (1924) in British Birds, Vol. XVIII. p. 175, in a Review of 'Lakeland Ornithology, 1892-1913', by Eric B. Dunlop, they say: 'A Red-breasted Goose is stated to have been seen by Mr. W. Nichol on Long Newton Marsh in November 1918.'
Ernest Blezard (1943) in the Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society, Vol. VI. p. 89, adds: 'Its smaller size and distinctive coloration were the more evident as it kept to the outside of the flock in flight. Later in the winter, a local shooter obtained on the marsh what was to him a very strange goose, and, from the description he gave to E. Blezard, a Red-breasted Goose. It was alone at the time it was shot and was afterwards cooked and eaten, but in spite of this unfortunate end there can be little doubt that it was the bird Nichol had seen earlier in the season.'
Not accepted locally (Hutcheson 1986), however, Clive Hartley, Editor (2008) in Birds and Wildlife in Cumbria, pp. 26-27, list one previous record prior to 1950, which must mean this record, as it is the only one ever recorded.
Comment No comment is made in British Birds whether this record is acceptable or not, but it is not recorded in later books, so presumably rejected without the necessary submission of details. Witherby (1920-24) stated others of this species seen but not substantiated. Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971).
As thinking has changed over sight records and it is up to each individual county to assess their records, after the first for Britain, this record is now acceptable to Cumbria and I see no reason to disagree knowing now that it occurs in this region nearly annually.
6). 1935 Pembrokeshire Milford Haven, immature male, shot, 18th January.
(H. T. H. Foley, British Birds 28: 311-312; Lockley, 1949; Donovan & Rees, 1994; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).
History H. T. H. Foley (1934-35) in British Birds, Vol. XXVIII. pp. 311-312, says: 'On the night of January 18th, 1935, I shot a goose in Milford Haven which was afterwards found to be an immature male Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis). In the moonlight I mistook the bird for a Brent Goose as it was swimming on the water. Subsequently, I found that it had been seen for about three weeks feeding on grass or stubble fields in the neighbourhood, and that the local gunners had tried to get it but it had proved to be too wary. The bird has been preserved by Rowland Ward, who informed me that the contents of the stomach consisted only of grass. As the bird is so extremely rare in captivity, and as this was an immature bird and wild, without any trace of having been in captivity, I think it may be considered to have been a genuine migrant.'
Accepted locally (Lockley 1949; Donovan & Rees 1994) and nationally for Wales (Lovegrove, Williams & Williams 1994).
Comment Rowland Ward, taxidermists, of London, were highly regarded.
7). 1941 Gloucestershire New Grounds, Slimbridge, immature, seen, 16th to 26th February.
(H. H. Davis & B. W. Tucker, British Birds 35: 83-85; Swaine, 1982).
History H. H. Davis & B. W. Tucker (1941) in British Birds, Vol. XXXV. pp. 83-85, say: 'On February 16th, 1941, we had the good fortune, in company with Mr. W.B. and several other observers, to obtain very good views with field-glasses and telescope of a Red-breasted Goose accompanying a large flock of some 2-3,000 White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons on the "New Grounds" of the River Severn, Gloucestershire. The birds were grazing on the saltings in a very favourable place for observation, so that we were able to watch them at leisure and to observe details of the plumage of the Red-breasted Goose, as well as the characteristically rapid movements of its head in plucking grass, which contrasted noticeably with those of the White-fronts. On February 23rd, H.H.D., in company with Dr. J. D. Mills, had a still better view in a first-rate light with a 30 x telescope at no more than 200 yards. On February 24th the Rev. F. L. Blathwayt had a distant view of what he feels fairly confident was the bird, but neither he nor Mr. Alexander, who were there again on March 1st and 2nd respectively, could find it on those dates. It appears, however, from information given to H.H.D. by the keeper and Major Algar Howard, that it was fairly certainly seen on 26th February, when goose-shooting took place. Although the winter was well advanced the bird showed unmistakable signs of immaturity and must have been one hatched in the previous year.
The white markings on the head, neck and breast and the colour demarcation generally were less sharp than in a fully adult bird, the red was hardly so rich, and there was a certain amount of black spotting on the lower part of the russet breast. On the 16th there appeared to be also a certain amount of whitish flecking on the russet portions of the neck and breast, but this was less marked at closer range on the 23rd and it is possible that the appearance was due to ruffling of the feathers by the wind. Skins of two immature birds examined subsequently by H.H.D. at the Bristol Museum showed evidence of whitish flecking on neck and breast only where the plumage was ruffled and the whitish bases of the feathers revealed. Black spotting on the lower parts of the russet breast and the indistinct colour demarcation on head and neck were, however, marked features in each case. Both skins lacked full data, but were obviously of birds considerably younger than the one under discussion. It may be added that under the very favourable conditions on February 23rd the legs, owing possibly to the muddy state of the ground, looked greyish-black rather than jet-black and it was possible to see that the bird bore no ring. Its powers of flight appeared quite normal. The fact that it was evidently a 1940 bird immediately suggested the possibility that it might be a genuinely wild individual and not an escape from captivity, and one of us (B.W.T.) has been at some pains to ascertain whether any Red-breasted Geese were in fact reared in this country last year. Mr. Spedan Lewis, was the only person who had bred them last year, this was at Leckford Abbas, but they had never left.'
Accepted locally (Swaine 1982).
1950-57 RECORDS
8). 1950 Montgomeryshire Camlad Meadows, between Montgomery and Welshpool, 4th March.
(W. A. Cadnam, British Birds 45: 293; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).
History W. A. Cadnam (1952) in British Birds, Vol. XLV. p. 293, says: 'On March 4th, 1950, Miss J. Nacnair [sic], Mr. Hotchkiss and I visited a locality on the borders of Montgomeryshire and Shropshire, where we found some 650 White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons), two Barnacle Geese (Branta leucopsis) and a very small goose about the size of a Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna). Seen broadside on, the main feature which caught the eye was a white lateral line dividing the dark upper-parts from the dark lower-breast. The bird then turned towards us and revealed its rufous breast and white, marbled head-markings. It was in fact a Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis) – probably a gander since it ran at and drove off other geese which came near. Later, in flight, when its markings and small size were very evident, it led a large skein of White-fronts. As it was within about ten yards of the county boundary, we drove it, and the Barnacle Geese, into Shropshire, so that the two species may now be recorded for both counties. [Details of this occurrence were submitted to British Birds immediately after the observation was made, and we apologise to Mr. Cadman for this belated publication due to an oversight. An apology is also due to Miss Macnair, Editor of the Montgomeryshire Field Society's Report and Notes for 1950, for the criticisms made (antea, p. iii) of the record as published there. Mr. Cadman informs us that widespread enquiries were made at the time, but these failed to produce any evidence that this bird had escaped from captivity. - Eds.]
Accepted nationally for Wales (Lovegrove, Williams & Williams 1994).
9). 1954 Gloucestershire New Grounds, Slimbridge, first-winter, 8th January to 5th March.
(P. Scott & H. Boyd, British Birds 48: 136; Swaine, 1982).
History P. Scott & H. Boyd (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 136, say: 'On 8th January 1954 Miss E. D. Overend discovered a Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis) amongst a flock of about 1900 White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons) feeding near the River Severn at Slimbridge, Gloucestershire. It was seen subsequently by many observers on at least six days to 25th January, and again on seven days between 13th February and 5th March. The age of the bird proved difficult to tell at a distance, but in the latter part of its stay some close views were obtained. The tips of the greater and medium coverts were dusky, rather than pure white, and some others of the feathers on the back were juvenile, so that the bird was in its first winter.'
Accepted locally (Swaine 1982).
10). 1954 Gloucestershire Hasfield, near Gloucester, juvenile, shot, 23rd December.
(P. Scott & H. Boyd, British Birds 48: 136; Swaine, 1982).
History P. Scott & H. Boyd (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 136, say: 'On 23rd December 1954 Mr. J. F. Saunders shot a goose flying alone over an area of flooded meadows at Hasfield, near Gloucester, which were being used by small numbers of White-fronted Geese at that time. Through the kindness of Lieut.-Commander A. F. Collett the bird was sent to us and proved to be another Red-breasted Goose. It retained several juvenile rectrices as well as other juvenile feathers on the back and coverts. The only tame full-winged Red-breasted Goose kept in Gloucestershire, in the collection of the Wildfowl Trust at Slimbridge, remained there throughout 1954. There seems no reason to suppose either of the geese recorded above to be anything but wild stragglers. Although the species has been widely kept in captivity, it has been recently bred in only five collections in this country, so far as can be ascertained, and from none of these are young birds missing. Nevertheless the possibility of these two being escapes cannot be entirely excluded. Eleven previous occurrences of this species in Britain have been authenticated.'
[Prof. R. Sparck informs us that in 1954 this species was also twice recorded in Denmark - at Tipperne in the Ringköbing fjord on 30th April and 22nd-23rd October. - Eds.]
Accepted locally (Swaine 1982).
NOT PROVEN
0). c. 1776 Cleveland/Co. Durham/Yorkshire Near Wycliffe-on-Tees, Yorkshire, obtained, winter.
(Latham, 1781-85; Montagu, 1802; Bewick, 1804; Fox, 1827; Selby, 1833; J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1871: 2513; Hancock, 1874; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Yarrell, 1871-85; Witherby, 1920-24; Temperley, 1951).
[Mather, 1986; Blick, 2008; Bowey & Newsome, 2012).
History Latham (1785 (3): 455-456) says: '...another taken alive in Yorkshire, near Wycliffe, about the same time; this soon became very tame and familiar, was kept among other Ducks in a pond; but though it associated freely with them, and seemed partial to one of them, never produced any young. This information I received from Mr. Tunstall, in whose neighbourhood it was taken...the last lived till the present year, when it lost its life by an accident.'
Montagu (1802) says: '...and another was taken alive in Yorkshire about the same time, soon became tame, and was kept amongst other Ducks in a pond.'
G. T. Fox (1827) in his Synopsis of the Newcastle Museum, quoting from Marmaduke Tunstall's MS. relating to his Wycliffe Museum, says: 'Never heard, I think, but of two more seen in England. One was taken alive in this neighbourhood and is still living - (P.S. Was the property of a lady late deceased). It is kept in a pond with some ducks of the wild breed, with which it is very sociable, but never produced any breed together, though there is one it particularly associates with and seems to be very partial to. It is very tame and familiar (Tunstall MS.).' Further, Fox adds: 'Latham, in copying this account, adds that the bird lived until 1785, when it lost its life by an accident.'
Selby (1833 (2): 276-277) says: 'It is known in Britain only as a rare visitant, when driven by tempestuous weather out of the usual course of its migrations. But five or six instances of its capture are on record: ...in the second instance, this bird was caught alive near Wycliffe, and was kept by the above mentioned gentleman [Tunstall] for some years in confinement.…Plate 46. Figure of the natural size; from a specimen originally in the Wycliffe Museum, but now in that of the Natural History Society of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Forehead, crown of the head, list down the back of the neck, chin, throat, and band, extending upwards to the eye, black. Between the bill and eye is a large spot of white. Behind the eye, and surrounding a large patch of orange-brown on each side of the neck, is a list of white; which is extended farther, and forms a line of division between the orange-brown and black of the lower part of the neck. Front of the lower part of neck and breast fine orange-brown; the latter margined by a list of black, and another of white. Immediately before the shoulders is a second bar of white. Mantle, belly, wings, and tail, black. Abdomen, vent, thighs, upper and under tail-coverts, white. Greater wing-coverts black, margined with white. Bill reddish-brown, with the nail black. Legs blackish-brown, with a reddish tinge.'
James Edmund Harting (1871) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VI. p. 2513, dated 4th February 1871, on the eleven occurrences to date, says: 'One, near Wycliffe, Yorkshire, about same time [1766].'
Accepted locally (Clarke & Roebuck 1881) and nationally by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 282, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
Temperley (1951: 169) adds: 'It was believed to have been captured in Yorkshire because Tunstall lived on the south bank of the Tees at Wycliffe.'
Comment Tunstall was the person who gave us the Ruddy Shelduck in 1776 that turned out to be a Cape Shelduck from South Africa.
Not accepted locally for Cleveland (Blick 2008) or Co. Durham (Bowey & Newsome 2012) or Yorkshire (Mather 1986) who stated that the origin of it was hardly convincing.
0). 1805 Norfolk Halvergate Marshes, obtained, undated.
(R. Sheppard & W. Whitear, Transactions of the Linnean Society 15: 55; Yarrell, 1845; J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1871: 2513; J. H. Gurney, Zoologist 1876: 270; Yarrell, 1871-85; Lubbock, 1879; Southwell, 1890; Riviere, 1930).
[T. Southwell, Zoologist 1889: 383-385; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999].
History R. Sheppard & W. Whitear (1826) in the Transactions of the Linnean Society, Vol. XV p. 55, say: 'Mr. Wigg had a specimen of this rare bird, which was killed at Halvergate in Norfolk in the year 1805. He says its flesh was well flavoured.'
James Edmund Harting (1871) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VI p. 2513, dated 4th February 1871, on the eleven occurrences to date, says: 'One, Halvergate, Norfolk, 1805.'
Gurney (1876: 269-270) says: 'Of the Yarmouth specimen recorded by Paget, and Sheppard and Whitear, Mr. Stevenson is going to give a full account, and I will not anticipate him further than to say, that he has not been able to get any actual proof of its having been correctly determined by Mr. Lilly Wigg, who being, as I have hinted before, afflicted with an unfortunate penchant for tasting rare birds, cooked this valuable Goose, which, skinned and sold, would have laid him golden eggs of the right sort; but in a fit of remorse he saved some of the feathers, which he handed to Mr. Sparshall, who afterwards gave them to my father, but we cannot find them now.'
Southwell, Editor (1879: 164, 2nd ed.) in Lubbock's Fauna of Norfolk, in a footnote, says: 'Lilly Wigg was not an ornithologist proper, and yet three of the rarest and most questionable species in the Norfolk list, rest almost entirely on his authority, the Red-breasted Goose, Harlequin Duck and the King Eider.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 282, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
T. Southwell (1889) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIII. p. 383, says: 'Mr. Stevenson has retained the Red-breasted Goose for reasons which will be found in the Birds of Norfolk (Vol. III pp. 39-41), but I had no hesitation in following the authority of his last list in White's Norfolk (edit. 1883), from which both the latter birds are omitted.'
Southwell, Editor (1890 (3): 39-41) in Stevenson's Birds of Norfolk, says: 'Purchased by Mr. Lilly Wigg at Yarmouth market, plucked and eaten. Mr. Wigg was a naturalist resident at Yarmouth early in the present century, and in Sir William Hooker's MS. notes from 1807 to 1840 'touching the Natural History of Yarmouth and its environs', I find Mr. Wigg's name on the title page, associated with that of the late Mr. Dawson Turner, and others, as joint contributors; whilst amongst the entries, signed with the initials "L.W.", is "Red-breasted Goose shot near Yarmouth".
Hunt in his British Birds, published in 1815, remarks: "Mr. Wigg, of Yarmouth, informs us that he purchased a specimen in the Market-place of that borough a few years since". The record resting on his authority.'
Riviere (1930: 145) says: 'Mr. Lily Wigg ate this bird but saved some feathers which he gave to Mr. Sparshall who afterwards gave them to J. H. Gurney, Sen., but they were soon lost. Gurney had no recollection of it.'
Comment Lilly Wigg was a clerk to the banker Dawson Turner of Yarmouth. Both of them were botanists.
Not admitted locally (Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling 1999). Not acceptable.
0). 1813 Cambridgeshire No locality, killed, winter.
(Shaw, 1800-26; Selby, 1833; Jenyns, 1835; J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1871: 2513; Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85).
[Lack, 1934; Bircham, 1989].
History J. F. Stephens in George Shaw's General Zoology (1800-26), a fourteen volume tome with ornithology in volumes 7-14, recorded this actual specimen in volume 12, p. 53, plate 43. No further details known (Harting, 1872; Mullens & Swann, 1917).
Selby (1833 (2): 276) says: 'It is known in Britain only as a rare visitant, when driven by tempestuous weather out of the usual course of its migrations. But five or six instances of its capture are on record: …the others, according to Mr. Stephens, were killed in the severe winter of 1813, in Cambridgeshire, but unfortunately, from the ignorance of the captors, were lost to the purposes of science.'
Jenyns (1835: 225) says: 'Other specimens are stated to have been killed in Cambridgeshire during the severe winter of 1813.'
James Edmund Harting (1871) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VI. p. 2513, dated 4th February 1871, on the eleven occurrences to date, says: 'One, or more, Cambridgeshire, winter, 1813.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 282, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
Not accepted locally (Lack 1934; Bircham 1989).
0). 1828 Devon Kenton Warren, shot, undated.
(E. Moore, Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History 1: 266; Yarrell, 1845; J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1871: 2513; Gurney, 1876; Yarrell, 1871-85; Saunders, 1899; Moore, 1969; BOU, 1971).
[Tyler, 2010].
History Edward Moore of Plymouth (1837) in Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. I. p. 266, dated 20th June, 1837, says: 'One was shot on Kenton Warren, in 1828, and is now in the possession of Mr. W. Russell, Dawlish.'
Yarrell (1845 (3): 171, 2nd ed.) says: 'One was shot on Kenton Warren in 1828, and is now in the possession of Mr. W. Russell, at Dawlish [Devon].'
James Edmund Harting (1871) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VI. p. 2513, dated 4th February 1871, on the eleven occurrences to date, says: 'One, Kenton Warren, Devonshire, 1828.'
Gurney (1876: 270) says: 'Mr. Moore, in his first catalogue of Devonshire birds, sets it down among the birds not hitherto noticed in the county, but in his second (Mag. of N. H., 1837, p. 266) he has two to bring forward, the first shot at Kenton Warren in 1828, and in the possession of the late Mr. W. Russell of Dawlish. I cannot verify them by ascertaining into whose hands they have now passed, so I can only hope that the next historian of the birds of that part of England will take the subject up and be more successful.'
Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 282, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Moore has recorded two instances in Devon, one of them shot on Kenton Warren in 1828, in the possession of Mr. W. Russell, at Dawlish.'
However, Saunders (1899, 2nd ed.) says: '...said to have been obtained in South Devon.'
Accepted locally (Moore 1969), but Tyler (2010) stated that apart from the 1963 record that was accepted as a wild bird, all others in Devon are presumed escapes.
Comment Both Saunders and Gurney who did much work towards establishing records were verified, found its credentials wanting.
0). 1829 Fife River Tay, Newburgh, shot, winter.
(Harvie-Brown, 1906).
[Harvie-Brown, 1906; BOU, 1971].
History Harvie-Brown (1906: 227) recording the record in square brackets, says: 'One in Col. Drummond Hay's collection was shot on the Tay opposite Newburgh-on-Tay in the winter of 1829.'
Comment Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971). Not acceptable.
0). 1837 Devon Teign Marshes, killed, 21st February.
(E. Moore, Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History 1: 266; Yarrell, 1845; J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1871: 2513; Gurney, 1876; Yarrell, 1871-85; Saunders, 1899; Moore, 1969; BOU, 1971).
[Tyler, 2010].
History Edward Moore of Plymouth (1837) in Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. I. p. 266, dated 20th June, 1837, says: 'A second was killed on the Teign Marshes, Feb. 21, 1837, by Rendell, of Buckland, and is now in preparation by Mr. Drew.'
Yarrell (1845 (3): 171, 2nd ed.) says: 'The second was killed on Teign Marshes, February 1st, 1837, by Rendell of Buckland, and was prepared and preserved by Mr. Drew.'
James Edmund Harting (1871) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VI. p. 2513, dated 4th February 1871, on the eleven occurrences to date, says: 'One, Teign Marshes, Devon, Feb. 1, 1837.'
Gurney (1876: 270) says: 'Mr. Moore, in his first catalogue of Devonshire birds, sets it down among the birds not hitherto noticed in the county, but in his second (Mag. of N. H., 1837, p. 266) he has two to bring forward, the second, shot February 21st, 1837, on the Teign marshes. I cannot verify them by ascertaining into whose hands they have now passed, so I can only hope that the next historian of the birds of that part of England will take the subject up and be more successful.'
Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 282, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: '...killed on Teign marshes, February 1st [21st], 1837.' However, Saunders (1899, 2nd ed.) now says: 'Said to have been obtained in South Devon.'
Accepted locally (Moore 1969), but Tyler (2010) states that apart from the 1963 record that was accepted as a wild bird, all others in Devon are presumed escapes.
Comment Saunders put the date as 1st February contra to all the previous notices of 21st February. Samuel Drew, taxidermist, of Stonehouse, Devon, preserved a number of rarities from 1826 to 1851. Both Saunders and Gurney who did much work towards establishing records were verified, found its credentials wanting.
0). Pre 1842 Caithness No locality, shot, undated.
(Wilson, 1842; Gray, 1871).
[Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1887; BOU, 1971].
History Wilson (1842) says: '...After transacting our fishery and other business we accompanied Mr. Eric Sinclair, Surgeon, to examine his beautiful and extensive collection of birds, obtained by him exclusively in the county of Caithness. The local museums are extremely interesting, and of great value as illustrating the geographical distribution of species...As examples of the rares species, we may select the following...Red-breasted Goose.'
Gray (1871: 352) says: 'Another, said to have been killed in the county of Caithness, is alluded to by Mr. Wilson, but the date and precise locality are not given: the specimen is still preserved in the collection which belonged to the late Mr. Sinclair of Wick.'
Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1887: 186) placing the record in square brackets, say: 'In Dr. Sinclair's collection, seen by Mr. J. Wilson, and is given in the reproduced List by Mr. R. Shearer, with the remark "Very rare".'
Comment Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971). Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1844 Cleveland/Co. Durham Cowpen Marsh, Durham, two, seen, one shot, undated.
(J. Hogg, Zoologist 1845: 1178; J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1871: 2513; Hancock, 1874; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Temperley, 1951).
[Gurney, 1876; Yarrell, 1871-85; Stead, 1964].
History J. Hogg (1845) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. III. p. 1178, says: 'Two of this very scarce and handsome species have been seen of late years by the Tees. One was shot by Mr. J. Hikely in Cowpen marsh, and afterwards stuffed.'
James Edmund Harting (1871) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VI. pp. 2513-2514, dated 4th February 1871, says: 'Since 1845 no example of this rare goose has been procured in Great Britain. In that year, according to a statement of Mr. Hogg, in his 'Catalogue of the Birds of South-Eastern Durham', one was shot in Cowpen Marsh, Durham; two having been previously observed on the Tees, near Durham.…'
J. H. Gurney, jun. (1876) in Rambles of a Naturalist, referring to Hogg's record, wrote: 'I am sorry that I can place little confidence in the example affirmed by Mr. Hogg to have been shot at Cowpen near Teesmouth by a man named Hikely; but when I lived at Darlington I saw Hikely's son, and the account he gave me was so very much the reverse of reassuring, that I am constrained to let it go to the limbo of the doubtful.' And there it would be wise to leave it in this "History".'
Accepted locally (Clarke & Roebuck (1881).
Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 282, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'In Durham it has been stated by Mr. Hogg that two were seen on the Tees, and one shot in Cowpen Marsh about 1845 (Zool., p. 1178), but Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., is sceptical on this point.'
Temperley (1951) says: 'This record was given by John Hogg in his paper on the 'Birds of South-east Durham and North-west Cleveland', published in 1845. It reads as follows: 'Two of this very scarce and handsome species have been seen of late years by the Tees. One was shot by Mr. J. Hikely in Cowpen marsh, and afterwards stuffed.' From this it is not clear whether the two birds were seen together or one at a time on different occasions during 'late years'. Tristram, writing in 1905, put his own construction on this record, thus: 'One is stated to have been shot in 1845 in Cowpen marsh, which has produced so many rarities, by J. Hikely, and two are said to have been seen the same year on the Tees.'
It seems hardly likely that the bird was shot in 1845, as stated by Tristram, for Hogg's paper, though published in The Zoologist for 1846, was actually read to the Zoological Section of the British Association which met at York on September 26th, 1844. It is now impossible to trace the exact date, but it will be noted that Tristram, writing at least sixty years after the occurrence, did not speak from his own experience, for he expressly wrote; "One is stated to have been shot" and "two are said to have been seen".'
0). Pre 1852 North-east Scotland Loch of Strathbeg, seen, undated.
(MacGillivray, 1837-52; J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1871: 2513; Gray, 1871; Yarrell, 1871-85; H. M. Drummond Hay, Scottish Naturalist 8: 368).
[BOU, 1971].
History Macgillivray (1852 (4): 636) says: 'Many years ago an individual of this rare and beautiful species was seen for several days in the immediate vicinity of the Loch of Strathbeg. It was recognised by more than one individual well conversant in ornithology. There was, however, no opportunity obtained of securing it.'
James Edmund Harting (1871) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VI. p. 2513, dated 4th February, 1871, says: 'MacGillivray, who published the fourth volume of his History of British Birds, in 1852, stated in that volume that some years previously a Red-necked Goose had been observed in the vicinity of Loch Strathbey [sic], but it was not captured. Indeed, the occurrence of this species in England is so infrequent that, from the date of its first recorded visit in 1766 down to the present time, eleven instances only have been made known.'
J. E. Harting (1871) in The Field of 4th Feb., Vol. XXXVII. p. 52, says: 'Apropos of the list of occurrence of this bird which was published in The Field of Jan. 21, I can add another instance which has not been included. MacGillivray, in his History of British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 636, says: "The only instance of its appearance in Scotland known to me is related in a notice with which I have been favoured by the Rev. Mr. Smith, of Monquitter: "Many years ago an individual of this rare and beautiful species was seen for several days in the immediate vicinity of the Loch of Strathbeg. It was recognised by more than one individual well conversant in ornithology. There was, however, no opportunity obtained of securing it". This statement was published in MacGillivray in 1852.'
Accepted locally (Gray 1871: 352).
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 283, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, and H. M. Drummond Hay (1885-86) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 368, in the 'Report of the East of Scotland Union'.
Comment Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971). Not acceptable.
0). c. 1852 Lancashire & North Merseyside Sowerby meadows, Garstang, two, killed, undated.
(H. P. Hornby, Zoologist 1872: 3236; Yarrell, 1871-85).
[BOU, 1971].
History Hugh P. Hornby of St Michael's-on-Wyre (1872) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VII. p. 3236, says: 'Some fifteen or twenty years ago, a keeper in the neighbourhood tells me, two specimens of the Red-breasted, or, as he called them, "Siberian Goose", were killed on the same marshes [Sowerby meadows, near Garstang]: he described the plumage to me, and from his description they were undoubtedly Anser ruficollis.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 282-283, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
Comment Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971). Not acceptable.
0). 1866 Sussex Hastings, killed, undated.
(Gurney, 1876).
[Gurney, 1876].
History Gurney (1876: 270) says: 'Mr. T. Amherst possesses a specimen, said to have been killed at Hastings, in 1866, but I have my suspicions about that also.'
0). 1878-79 Perth & Kinross River Earn, near Moncreiffe, pair, winter.
(Harvie-Brown, 1906).
[Harvie-Brown, 1906; Not in BOU, 1971].
History Harvie-Brown (1906: 227) recording the record in square brackets, says: 'A pair visited the Earn near Moncreiffe in the winter of 1878-79, and it has occasionally been seen on the Tay.'
0). Pre 1899 Shetland No locality, obtained, undated.
(Evans & Buckley, 1899).
[Evans & Buckley, 1899; BOU, 1971].
History Evans & Buckley (1899: 129) recording the record in square brackets, say: 'Mr. T. Henderson of Scousburgh, in some notes which he has kindly sent to us, says: "I remember seeing a rare goose that had been shot some years ago. It was exactly the same as the description of the Red-breasted Goose in British Birds and their Haunts. It is much to be regretted that this specimen was not preserved".'
0). 1899 Angus & Dundee Loch Tay, seven, seen, one shot, January.
(Harvie-Brown, 1906).
[Harvie-Brown, 1906; Not in BOU, 1971].
History Harvie-Brown (1906: 227) recording the record in square brackets, says: 'Mr. D. Dewar saw seven alight upon Loch Tay in January 1899 and secured one (in litt. November 27, 1902).'
0). 1909 Dumfries & Galloway Near Glencaple, pair, seen, March and April.
("Dumfries Courier and Herald" 12th May 1909).
[Gladstone, 1910].
History Gladstone (1910: 249-250) recording the record in square brackets, says: 'A pair of Red-breasted Geese were reported (Dumfries Courier and Herald, 12th May, 1909) as having been seen in March and April, 1909, by Mr. James Wilson; who stated that he was quite certain of the species, and had first observed them in the month of March feeding on the marsh close to Glencaple, and again on April 15th. "I approached", writes Mr. Wilson, "so close to them with my boat that I could have shot them both". The birds were said to have been seen also by several people on the opposite side of the River Nith just below the village of Glencaple, and at a distance of about one hundred yards. The alleged occurrences of this species in Great Britain are mostly unsubstantiated, and but seven records are given by Howard Saunders.'
0). 1956 Highland Beauly Firth, Inverness-shire, early October to 20th January 1957.
(E. Luxmoore, Field 13th Dec., 1956: 1124; D. Fraser, Scottish Naturalist 69: 118; E. V. Baxter, Scottish Birds 1: 30; Eds., British Birds 51: 193; I. J. Andrews & K. A. Naylor, Scottish Birds 23: 69).
[D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers, British Birds 99: 463].
History E. Luxmoore of Whorlton Hall, Castle Barnard (1956) in The Field of 13th Dec., Vol. CCVIII. p. 1124, says: 'Your readers may be interested to know that I saw a Red-breasted Goose in early October on the foreshore of a firth in north-east Scotland. I have no doubt at all about its identity; it was with a flock of Wigeon and I observed it from the sea wall, both flying and sitting, through my binoculars. I finally stalked it and watched it for some time from about 80 yards range. It did not appear to be an escaped bird and rose each time the Wigeon did, finally going off when they did.'
D. Fraser of Beauly (1957) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXIX. p. 118, says: 'I saw a Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis) on 20th January 1957, feeding amongst about 100 Greylag Geese (Anser anser) in a field of winter wheat on the shores of the Beauly Firth, Inverness-shire. One cannot mistake the plumage of this bird, so there is no need to give a detailed description here. The bird was seen on this one occasion only.'
[It seems very likely that this bird was present in or near the Beauly Firth at times during a period of several months from autumn 1956 till January 1957....There seems little doubt that this was the same bird as Mr. Fraser has reported seeing in January 1957. Eds.]
D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers (2006) in British Birds, Vol. XCIX. p. 463, in a review of certain rarities during the period 1950-57, found this record to be unacceptable.
