This magnificent skein of what I think are probably pink-footed geese flew overhead while we were standing on the Fish Quay at North Shields this afternoon. There are 97 in this picture and there were around a dozen more out-of-shot. Double-click for a larger image.
Always one of the most stirring sights in winter.
It's generally supposed that flying in echelon like this gives the birds an aerodynamic advantage from the vortices from the bird in front - tough if you happen to be the bird in the lead, although the leader of the skein changes quite frequently.
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