Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus)
Species
Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus). Taken at Holkham, Norfolk, on October 11th 2017.
Taken at Holkham, Norfolk, on October 11th 2017.
(1/800th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

L: 64 - 76 cm; WS: 137 - 161 cm

This species is very similar to the Bean Goose, but has pink rather than orange legs, and a short stubby bill.

It breeds in Greenland, Iceland and Svalbard. The Greenland and Iceland populations winter in Great Britain, while the Svalbard population winters in the Netherlands and Denmark.

Its breeding habitat is arctic tundra. Nesting is often on cliffs close to glaciers to provide protection from mammalian predators.

It has Amber status on the UK list. Around 360000 birds over-winter here.

Sightings

13-Oct-2020 : Overy Marshes, Norfolk
12-Oct-2020 : Holkham NNR, Norfolk (c.500)
08-Feb-2020 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk
07-Feb-2020 : Holkham NNR, Norfolk
04-Feb-2020 : Overy Marshes, Norfolk
02-Feb-2020 : Holkham NNR, Norfolk
01-Feb-2020 : Holkham NNR, Norfolk

05-Oct-2019 : Cley Marshes, Norfolk
04-Oct-2019 : Overy Marshes, Norfolk (30)
03-Oct-2019 : Holkham NNR, Norfolk (100+)
02-Oct-2019 : Cley Marshes, Norfolk (100+)
23-May-2019 : Waulkmill, Aberdeenshire (5)

12-Oct-2017 : Overy Marshes, Norfolk (500+)
12-Oct-2017 : Cley Marshes, Norfolk (1000+)
11-Oct-2017 : Holkham NNR, Norfolk (1000+)
11-Oct-2017 : Overy Marshes, Norfolk (250+)
09-Oct-2017 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk (100+)

23-Oct-2015 : Holkham NNR, Norfolk (100+)