Greylag Goose

This photo was taken at Hampton Nature Reserve, near my home. The reserve is also home to Europe's largest number of Great Crested Newts.

This species does not breed in the UK, but large numbers of birds spend the winter here, arriving from their breeding grounds in Spitsbergen, Iceland and Greenland. Numbers in England are on the increase, particularly around The Wash, probably due to better protection at winter roosts.

Where to see them
Large estuaries, such as on the east Scottish coast, The Wash, the Ribble and the Solway, or on surrounding farmland where birds go in the day to feed.

When to see them
They arrive in the UK in October and depart in April.

There are approximately 250,000 Pink Footed Geese in the UK during winter.