Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsis
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Barnacle Geese from Svalbard or Greenland occasionally turn up with the Pink-footed Goose flocks on Sefton Coast farmland. Numbers are usually small — one to twenty birds — but they stand out with their striking black, white and grey plumage. Worth checking any large goose flock carefully in November and December.
At a Glance
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Habitat | Farmland · Coastal marsh · Salt grass |
| Diet | Grass, grain, agricultural crops |
| UK population | Around 44,000 wintering Svalbard birds; Scottish-wintering birds also |
| Sefton Coast | Occasional; small numbers (1–20) with Pink-footed Goose flocks most winters |
| Conservation | UK Amber List |
Where to See It
Farmland around Crossens and Hesketh Out Marsh. Usually in small numbers with Pink-feet.
Identification
Black and white head (white face, black crown and neck). Grey barred body. Black breast. Compact shape.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Check Pink-footed Goose flocks carefully — Barnacles sometimes tag along. The black and white head is unmistakeable.
Conservation Status
UK Amber List
This species is on the UK Amber List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating moderate concern. Population monitoring and habitat management remain important for its continued recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Barnacle Geese called Barnacle Geese?
Medieval scholars, puzzled by the disappearance of Barnacle Geese in summer (to Arctic breeding grounds unknown to Europeans), invented the myth that they hatched from Barnacles growing on driftwood. This allowed them to be eaten on Fridays and during Lent as they were technically 'not meat'. The name stuck.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.