Western Greylag Goose Anser anser anser (Linnaeus, 1758)
WWT Slimbridge, Glos. © Nigel Milbourne 2011
Western Greylag Goose Anser anser anser (Linnaeus, 1758)
Scarce, introduced resident, passage migrant & winter visitor. May occur in any month.
Population information:
GB Overwinter population (British/Irish) estimate 2017/18 to 2022/23: 180,000. Increasing. Rounded British census figure from November 2022. Woodward et al. (2024).
GB January population (British/Irish) estimate 2017/18 to 2022/23: 110,000. Caulfield et al. (2026).
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Eastern Greylag Goose Anser anser rubrirostris R. Swinhoe, 1871
Unlikely to occur, but see images below taken in Nov. 2011.
Domestic Goose Anser Anser domesticus (Kerr, 1792)
Released or escapee domestic birds may occur in any month.
Bibliography (sources of information):
Last update: 3rd February 2026