Geese
Barnacle Goose - Attractive, small goose. My favourite species of goose. Similar to the canada goose but much smaller and the white patch on the face extends right around the eye. Primarily a wintering migrant in UK. You're not likely to see these geese close-up if they're truly wild birds.
A small over-wintering flock at WWT Slimbridge in January
Bean Goose - Our rarest goose. You can sometimes find individuals amongst other grey geese (pink-footed/greylag/white-fronted). Similar to Pink-footed but much larger. There are two races. The Tundra race has an orange patch on the bill and orange legs. Winter visitor.
Whitmore, Staffs. January (Tundra race) This bird was one of 4 Beans amongst a flock of Greylag and a few Pinkies.
Brent Goose - A coastal species. There are two races - Dark-bellied which generally favour Norfolk and the south coast, and Pale-bellied who winter on the West Coast, primarily around the Dee Estuary and Ireland. A Winter visitor. Large flocks can easily be seen in N.Norfolk during winter.
Dark-bellied - Blakeney, Norfolk. May
Dark-bellied - Keyhaven, Hants. April
Dark-bellied - Holme-next-the-Sea. November
Pale-bellied - Hilbre Island. April.
Pale-bellied - Hoylake. February
Canada Goose - Widespread and generally common goose. Present all year round and breeds here.
Egyptian Goose - Steadily increasing in number and distribution, this species has spread from escaped birds from collections. Established in East Anglia but now regularly seen around the Midlands and in London.
Greylag Goose - Our 2nd year round species. Some of the english birds are resident breeders. Most domestic geese originate from the Greylag.
Juvenile
Pink-footed Goose - Our most numerous over-wintering goose. They mainly congregate around coastal regions in huge flocks, especially in N&W Norfolk, Lancs and Scotland. Affectionately known as 'pinkies'. Seen daily in impressive skeins of V-shaped formations, over these regions during the winter months. Mainly early and late on the day. Truly wild; you don't often get close-up to them. All images taken at WWT Martin Mere. I strongly recommend a visit during Winter.
White-fronted Goose - Named from the white area around the bill. There are 2 races, the Siberian and the Greenland (photo'd). They're a Winter migrant. They come here in relatively small numbers and are unfortunately declining. WWT Slimbridge in Gloucs is a stronghold.
