{"id":19256,"date":"2022-09-05T14:10:43","date_gmt":"2022-09-05T12:10:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=65133"},"modified":"2022-09-05T14:35:15","modified_gmt":"2022-09-05T12:35:15","slug":"guide-to-britains-geese-species-how-to-identify-and-where-to-see","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/guide-to-britains-geese-species-how-to-identify-and-where-to-see\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to Britain\u2019s geese species: how to identify and where to see"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Daniel Graham\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 05 September 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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As autumn<\/a> progresses, the last stragglers of the summer visitors leave British shores while winter migrants arrive to feed in our estuaries, marshes and reservoirs. <\/span><\/p>\n

The most impressive \u2013 and vocal \u2013 are geese, which mingle with resident species to create an impressive spectacle as they gather to feed on seeds<\/a>, grass, potatoes and small invertebrates.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Visit a marsh or estuary near you this winter for a chance of spotting Canada geese\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Learn more about the UK\u2019s geese species with our simple identification guide, including population numbers, migration routes and favourite habitats.<\/p>\n

What is a group of geese called?<\/h2>\n

A group of geese on the ground is known as a gaggle. During flight a group of geese is called a skein.<\/p>\n

When do geese migrate from the UK?<\/h2>\n

Geese migrate to Britain in autumn, overwintering on our shores before leaving once more in spring.<\/p>\n

How to identify geese species found in the UK<\/h2>\n

White-fronted goose<\/span><\/h3>\n
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White-fronted goose, Anser albifrons\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Some 15,000 white-fronts visit our coasts from Scotland to southern England, having summered in Greenland and Siberia. Siberian birds have pink bills, Greenland birds\u2019 bills are orange. The \u2018white-fronted\u2019 refers to the forehead and base of the bill.<\/p>\n

Barnacle goose<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

This small goose has a creamy face, short bill and black neck and winters in Scotland, Ireland and northern England after breeding in Greenland and Svalbard. There\u2019s a small resident breeding group of 1,000 pairs. Winter population is 90,000.<\/p>\n

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