BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis

Breeding in three main areas, Svalbard, eastern Greenland and Novaya Zemla, the Svalbard birds almost all winter on the Solway Firth. Greenland birds winter in Ireland and the Hebrides, the Novaya Zemla population reaches the Netherlands. However, there are many records elsewhere, and it is unclear whether these are genuine vagrants or feral birds. The numbers of feral birds is increasing, and they are a not uncommon sight in southern England, however these birds could equally be wanderers from the Netherlands or further north in the UK. An attractive species whatever.

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