Red-Throated Diver or Rain Goose

The Red-throated Diver (Gavia stellata) is a member of the family of Divers (Gaviidae). In Foula they are called Rain Geese. In summer plumage a brownish grey head and upper-parts with white under-parts and a dark red throat. In winter the throat and face are white and the upper parts are speckled with white. A very noticeable feature is its uptilted beak.

Rain Goose

Rain geese nest on fresh water loch shores or on small islets in these lochs. They are exceptionally clumsy on land. Occasionally in a dry summer they have to abandon their nest because, with a falling water level, they can no longer get to it.

Rain Goose on its nest

As well as their difficulties on land they need space before they can take flight from water. Many of the pools they nest on in Foula are small and are at very limit of what they can take off from. With up to thirteen pairs nesting in the island Foula has an exceptionally high density of Rain Geese. Every possible pool is used, even ones like that in the photograph below. Here the birds can only take off in the lengthwise direction of the pool.

Rain Goose nesting in a small pool

Rain Goose about to take flight

Rain Goose taking flight. Russell Wynn.

Foula's Rain Geese spend the winter away from the Isle. One of the most evocative sounds of spring is the first calling of the Rain Geese. It can send shivers up and down your spine. Their noisy repertoire is a repeated deep quack, a goose-like clamour and long wailing sounds.

Rain Goose calling as it flies overhead

Not much over fifty years ago there were no Rain Geese nesting in Foula. One of the lochs where they now breed is called Luimisheddon. As Loom is an old name for the Rain Goose it is likely that they nested here in the past.

Rain Goose not too sure about this seal. Russell Wynn.
This bird is half-way between its summer and winter plumages.

Whin da raingus gings cryin ta da hill,
draa doon da boats an ging whaur du will;

Whin da raingus gings crying ta da sea
draa up da boats an mak fir lee…

When the red-throated diver cries flying towards the hill, it’s safe to put the boats in the water and go to sea;
When the red-throated diver cries flying seawards, draw the boats up out of the water and make for shelter.

The above is a literal translation of a dialect weather saying.
The saying really means :-
When the rain geese are nesting or rearing their young then go where you will.
When they and their fledglings disappear out to sea then beware of the weather.

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