Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus)
Species
Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus). Taken at Overy Marshes, Norfolk, on October 13th 2025.
Taken at Overy Marshes, Norfolk, on October 13th 2025. (© David Hastings)
(Canon R7+RF100-500, f/9, 1/400th, ISO1250, 500mm. Click image for larger version)

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

15-Oct-2025 : Overy Marshes, Norfolk (200+)
14-Oct-2025 : Cley Marshes, Norfolk (4)
13-Oct-2025 : Overy Marshes, Norfolk (200+)

07-Nov-2024 : Warham Greens, Norfolk
06-Nov-2024 : Holkham NNR, Norfolk (200+)
05-Nov-2024 : Cley Marshes, Norfolk (500+)

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

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