Gallery - Geese-Black ( Branta )

Brent Goose (Branta bernica)

The Brent Goose has been classified as a Amber list species-medium conservation concern.There are three races that visit Britian and Ireland.

These Geese breed on the low tundra of the artic and migrae south during the winter, they feed on vegitation growing around the coast and in estuaries, will also be found in arable fields close to the sea.

Dark-bellied Brent Goose (Branta bericla bernicia)

Migrates from Siberia and has underparts slate grey.

Pale-bellied Brent Goose (Branta bernicla hrota)

Migrates from Franz Josef land, Spitsbergen, Greenland and has underparts pale grey-brown to white.

Black Brant (Branta bericla nigricans)

The Black Brant or Pacific Brent Goose,is a sub-species of the Brent Goose that breeds in Alaska and winters in Baja California. Some have been blown into the UK with a couple at Portland Bill Nov 2008

Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis)

The Barnacle goose has been classified as a Amber list species-medium conservation concern.

Barnacle Geese breed in the artic and migrate south during the winter months. They eat grasses and other vegetation.

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

Introduced from N.America it now breeds widley in the British Isles. It feeds on plants and favours lowland lakes. The nest is a pile of grass and leaves near water.

Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii)

Breeds in Artic Canada and Alaska on Tundra, Rare Vagrant to the UK

Red-Breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis)

The smallest and most strikingly coloured of these true geese.Winters in the Stepps and marshes in S W Asia and S E Europe; in W Europe a vagrant in flocks or an escapee.

© Simon Thurgood 2024
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