Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Branta (Old Norse for burnt) ruficollis ("rufous coloured")

Adult Red-breasted Goose (subspecies ) at Blakenham, Norfolk - May 2022

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: g/kg  /  Length: 53-56cm  /  Wingspan: 110-125cm
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED / IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

The Red-breasted Goose is arguably the prettiest of the Goose species - it breed in the Far North of central Russia before descending to Winter along the Western side of the Black Sea. There are however instances when vagrant individuals end up associating with Brent Geese and turning up as vagrants in the rest of Europe, as this particular individual did in 2022. Their taxonomy holds a few points of interest - there is evidence of hybridisation with Brents in their ancestry, and additionally there is a painting in Egypt depicting a similar but unknown species which is not otherwise known today.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Branta
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A rare vagrant, often associated with Brent Geese.

 - Vagrant at Blakenham in May 2022

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Brent Goose (Branta bernicla)

OTHER NAMES: Brant Goose
Latin Etymology: Branta ("burnt" from Old Norse) bernicula ("barnacle")

Brent Goose (subspecies B. b. bernicula - "Dark-bellied Brent Goose") at Margate, Kent -  October 2018

Featured Subspecies: Branta bernicla bernicla (the "Dark-bellied Brent Goose")
Weight: 600-2200g  /  Length: 55-66cm  /  Wingspan: 106-121cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Brent Goose is probably a species most easily seen on the coast in the Winter - it forms large flocks which makes it easy to see and find, but conversely, it is probably quite thinly distributed in where these flocks turn up. Individuals or small groups may also sometimes appear, as in theno-cane case of the single Brent Goose which formed my first ever Brent Goose sighting - unfortunatly it was plonked on the far bank of the Thames beyond my photography range. The birds in the photograph however, were part of a very large flock near Reculver in Kent - and generally the North Kent Coast is going to be a reliable site for them, probably any site between Oare Marshes and Ramsgate during the Winter should have them pass by sooner of later.

Related Species:

Order: Anseriformes

Family: Anatidae 

Genus: Branta 
Subspecies: B. b. bernicla, B. b. hrota, B. b. nigricans, B. b. orientalis

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Locally commom Winter visitor; B. b. bernicula (91,000 birds) and B. b. hrota (31,400 birds). B. b. nigricans an annual vagrant. 

 - Dark-bellied subspecies a locally abundant Winter visitor in North Kent; Herne Bay, Reculver and Oare Marshes being good sites. 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus,  IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Branta ("burnt" from Old Norse) leucopsis ("white face")

Feral adult Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) at Derwent Water, Cumbria -April 2010

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 1000-2250g  /  Length: 55-70cm  /  Wingspan: 130-145cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Barnacle Geese are a slightly difficult bird to accurately designate, and it's not helped by the fact that this bird is quite probably a feral specimen. However, in summary they are a species which arrives during the winter in Scotland and Northern Ireland from Greenland and Svalbard. While relatively numerous where they do arrive, the fact it's in a relatively out the way location for only half the year means that unless you happen to be in the right place in Winter they are much harder to see. The native feral population, which according to the RSPB website numbers about three thousand is probably a much more viable bet and can be found anywhere, though resident flocks in the Lake District are probably some of the better bets.

Related Species:

Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Branta
Subspecies:  none - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Breeds locally (900 pairs) and local Winter visitor (58,000 from Greenland,33,000 from Svalbard). Also feral (3000 birds).

 - A single bird at Rutland Water. A large feral flock at Derwent Water

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

OTHER NAMES: Canadian Goose, Tundra Goose, Ring-neck Goose

Latin Etymology: Branta (Old Norse for burnt) canadensis ("of Canada")

Two feral adult Canada Goose (Branta canadensis - unknown subspecies) at London Wetland Center, London - June 2018

Featured Subspecies: *unknown*

Weight: 2.5-6.5kg  /  Length: 75-110cm  /  Wingspan: 130-180cm

NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Canada Geese are by far one of the easiest species to see in the UK. After Mallard, they are probably the most easily seen waterbird in the country. They will be present at most lakes of any notable size. The only limiting factor is that they do have localised habitat (water) as opposed to being present across habitats, although it isn't uncommon to see and/or hear them flying over in the distinctive 'V' formation or birds across countryside while travelling between sites.

As with many park based waterbirds, they can be encouraged to come very close through giving them feed. Quite often they may approach of their own volition, possibly in case you do have something to give them, although obviously be careful about aggression in this case. Either way they are a very easy species to photograph.

Related Species:

Order: Anseriformes

Family: Anatidae

Genus: Branta
Subspecies: B. c. moffitti, B. c. interior, B. c. canadensis, B. c. maxima, B. c. occidentalis, B. c. fulva, B. c. parvipes    

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Common feral resident (62,000 pairs) and common Winter visitor (190,000 birds)

 - Birds seen at sites including but not limited to Rutland Water, Rainham Marshes, Regent's Park, Kensington Gardens, Pitsford Reservoir, Ditchford Gravel Pits, Eyebrook Reservoir and Geddington.

UNITED STATES 
Breeds in Northern States, migrating to South Coast ones, resident in coastal California
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at San Francisco 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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