Abington Naturewatch: Various Geese on Granta Park

Saturday, 30 May 2020

Various Geese on Granta Park

There have been three species of geese on Granta Park recently, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, and Barnacle Goose, and Andy M took a few photos to show the differences.

Greylag Goose

Large (length ~80cm), mostly grey-brown,

brown neck with obvious striations, large orange bill, pink/orange legs.

The only 'grey goose' seen in large numbers in UK in summer.

Greylag Goose

Canada Goose

Largest UK goose (length ~90cm), body mostly grey-brown,

long black neck, black head with white 'chin-strap', black bill, dark legs.

Introduced from N America, now breeds widely in UK.

Barnacle Goose

Medium-sized (length ~65cm), body mostly grey with darker bars on back,

shorter black neck, head mostly white with black cap, small black bill, dark legs.

Mostly a winter visitor to UK (breeds in Arctic), but a few birds remain and breed in the UK.

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The Aims of Abington Naturewatch

At their meeting on 9 April 2005 the members approved this revised version of the aims of Abington Naturewatch:

To monitor and record the wildlife (fauna & flora) within the borders of the Abingtons;
To encourage protection of our wildlife, maintain its quality and foster its diversity;
To promote awareness of the richness, potential and problems of the natural environment of the Abingtons;
To cooperate in improving access to the local natural environment for the benefit of all Abington villagers.

Pat Daunt, Founder

The organisation is informal and communication is by email if possible; members are notified of events from time to time. Contact details are maintained by a small "project team". There is currently no membership fee as costs are covered by voluntary contributions at events.

Members are encouraged to report notable sightings of flora and fauna within the Abingtons to the appropriate sector coordinator and an illustrated record is published annually.

A map of the area covered, with some features noted, is available here: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=213774935674882866424.00000111dca2be9f06ab8&z=13>

For more information or to join, please contact David Farrant on (01223) 892871.

Contributions to our records should be sent to sector contacts or either of the above. Photographs may also be submitted to Andy Merryweather (amerryweather61@gmail.com)