We’re approaching that exciting time of year when nature comes alive once more. Hibernating hedgehogs are almost ready to awaken, while thousands of birds will soon flock to our shores for the breeding season. However it’s also a time for goodbyes, as many of our wintering birds are gearing up for a return to their summer homes.
Chief amongst these winter travellers are the many geese we see here in Scotland, so let’s get to know them a little better before they head off once more.
There are eight different species of geese that can be found in Scotland: barnacle, brent, Canada, greylag, pink-footed, taiga bean, tundra bean and white-fronted. While most of the geese in Scotland are winter visitors, two species (Canada and greylag) can be found here all year round.
"Talk to me, goose." Image credit: Ben Andrew
Canada geese are the largest species found in Scotland, at about 1m in length. On the other end of the scale, brent geese are the smallest at about 60cm, roughly the same size as a mallard.
"Honk honk." Image credit: Ben Andrew
There is a myth, found in different periods and cultures throughout history, that barnacle geese are actually fish and not birds, hence the name “barnacle”. Conveniently, in medieval times this meant that people could eat them during fasting periods such as Lent, when consuming meat was otherwise forbidden.
A flock of fish growing in their natural habitat - a tree. It was a confusing time for zoology. Image credit Ray Oaks (from Topographia Hibernica British Library MS 13 B VIII) - original version here.
Goose migrations are amazing! Have you ever seen them flying in V-shaped groups? The leading bird does most of the work, creating air currents which gives those behind a lift. The flock will swap leader regularly to share out the workload. Not only that, they use their voices to keep track of each other, ensuring they never get separated.
Flying in this formation allows a flock of geese to fly up to 70% further than a lone bird could manage. Image credit: Andy Hay
Lots of geese have strong family units. If one becomes injured mid-flight, others within its family will land and remain with it until it recovers. Once it’s ready to fly again, they’ll set off together and seek out a new flock.
Keep an eye out for sights like this in the spring and summer. Image credit: Ben Hall
Geese are undoubtedly incredible, however they also face many challenges such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). In the winter of 2021/22, an outbreak of the virus on the Solway Firth killed a third of the Svalbard breeding population of barnacle geese. That’s around 16,000 birds.
For the latest updates on HPAI, including what you can do to help safeguard the future of these wonderful birds, visit our website.