Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis

Annual passage migrant to Foula mainly September to October, although some records stretch into November.

First recorded in 1966 when a party of 10 was seen on the 27^th October. Spring records concern singles, sighted in late April – early May.

Two birds were on the island on the unusual date of 2^nd July 1974.

There is a single winter record of 3 birds on 2^nd January 2004.

A very early autumn bird seen on 10^th September 1970, which as far as the author is aware, remains the earliest autumn record for Shetland.

Peak daily tallies are as follows:

58 birds on 27^th September, 1996

66 birds on 5^th October, 1997

16 birds on 24^th September, 2000

27 birds on 27^th October, 2004

150 on 3^rd October, 2005