TBOSG     Goosander - Mergus merganser

Goosander is the largest member of the mergansers or 'sawbills' that occur in Britain. Its name seems to be a hybrid from the Scandinavian 'gos' meaning 'goose' and the Old Norse word 'ond' referring to the drake. The scientific name 'mergus' meaning diver is from the word 'mergere' meaning 'to plunge'. Some historical names for Goosander include; Sawneb, Jacksaw, Dun Diver, Harle and Rantock.

Earliest: October 11th 1991 on Severnside.

Latest: May 9th 1981 off New Passage.

Highest Count: Eleven on November 23rd 1980 off Severn Beach.

There have been around a hundred Goosander reported from S. Gloucestershire, they are;

A male and female were present on the River Avon at Hanham opposite the 'Chocolate Factory' on January 2nd and on January 30th were noted near the Lock Keeper at Keynsham; A male was seen in flight down river at Sheppardine on January 16th;

2009: (10)

Three, two males and a redhead were seen in flight past Aust Warth on January 2nd; A pair were logged on the River Avon 300 metres up river from the Chequers Pub in Hanham; Four redheads were seen in flight up river at Oldbury Power Station at 15:30 on February 6th; A female flew high to the west over Kingswood in Bristol at mid day on December 27th.

2008: (2)

Two, a pair were seen on the southern S. Glos boundary on the River Avon at ST: 661 697 on March 2nd; A 'redhead' was noted off New Passage on November 15th.

2007: (3)

Three were noted on the R. Avon at Hanham on March 13th.

2006: (5)

A female was seen at New Passage on January 6th; A drake flew past Severn Beach on February 18th; Two flew down river past New Passage on April 22nd; On November 10th a female was found amongst Wigeon and Teal at New Passage before it flew off down the estuary.

Goosander at New Passage. November 2006. © Paul Bowerman.

2005: (2)

One was noted at Badminton on December 13th; A male was seen at New Passage on December 30th.

2004: (4)

There were three at Frampton Court Lake on January 7th; One was on Severnside on February 20th.

2003: (5)

On February 16th one was found at Leap Valley in Downend; Three on October 14th were on Severnside; One on November 15th was at Oldbury Power Station; Two were noted on November 23rd on Severnside and were present until December 31st.

2002: (1)

A 'redhead' was seen on January 2nd on Severnside.

2001: (2)

On November 11th on Severnside, two birds, both ‘redheads' were seen in flight heading north.

2000: (4)

On January 10th one was seen on Severnside, in flight heading south; Two, also on Severnside were seen on November 4th; One on December 30th on Severnside was watched in flight heading south-west.

1999: (3)

Two, a male and female were observed on January 31st on the R. Avon at Hanham; A female visited Siston Brook at Willsbridge on January 31st.

1998: (2)

Two on February 4th were found on the R. Avon at Hanham.

1997: (9)

Seven were identified in flight up channel on January 4th at Oldbury Power Station; A single male noted on January 4th was at Severn Beach; A female was seen in flight heading south-west on January 12th at Severn Beach.

1996: (5)

Two, a male and female were seen on November 17th at New Passage, in flight heading north-east; Three were seen on December 28th at Severn Beach, the group included one male and were watched in flight heading north-east.

1994: (1)

A male was present on March 6th on the R. Avon at Hanham.

1992: (6)

Six were found on February 8th on the R. Avon at Hanham, five were still present on February 15th with one on February 29th.

1991: (13)

On February 3rd at Littleton Warth, a ‘redhead’ was observed in flight heading north; Three on February 10th were noted on Severnside, the group included two males and were seen in flight heading north; There were three on February 17th at Oldbury Power Station, including one male; A 'redhead' on Severnside was watched on April 13th; Five 'redheads' were seen on Severnside on October 11th were also seen on October 17th and 19th.

1990: (1)

On November 17th on Severnside, a ‘redhead’ was found and was subsequently seen again on November 25th.

1989: (8)

Two, a male and female were seen on February 25th at New Passage; Another male and female were found on October 28th at New Passage; Four on November 17th were seen at New Passage and were watched in flight upstream; On November 19th one was found at New Passage.

1988: (2)

Two birds were seen at Northwick Warth on December 18th.

1987: (1)

One was seen on January 24th at Northwick Warth.

1985: (1)

One was noted at New Passage on February 15th.

1984: (1)

A 'redhead' was seen on April 20th on Severnside.

1981: (1)

A female was seen flying up river off New Passage on May 9th.

1980: (11)

Eleven 'redheads' were seen flying south-east off Severn Beach on November 23rd.

1978: (1)

A male was identified off Severn Beach on December 24th.

1891: (1)

One was ‘obtained’ sometime in January at Bitton. This occurrence constitutes the first report of this species for S. Gloucestershire.

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