Andrew Chick Ecology

In the northwest UK, migrating Pink-footed Geese (Anser brachyrhynchus) are a common and remarkable sight during autumn and spring. These geese breed in Iceland and eastern Greenland and migrate to the UK, where they overwinter in large numbers, particularly in northwest England and eastern Scotland.

In places like Lancashire’s Ribble Estuary, Martin Mere, and Merseyside, as well as sites in Norfolk, the geese gather by the thousands. They’re drawn to farmland fields and coastal marshes, where they feed on leftover crops, grasses, and other vegetation, making these locations key staging grounds for refueling and resting before their return north in the spring. The sight and sound of their V-shaped formations and honking calls are a seasonal highlight for birdwatchers in the region.

The birds in the photograph were recorded over Troutbeck on 31st October 2024, heading south….