Wild Brent Goose Migration and Welfare

Dark-bellied brent geese migrate from Siberia to winter on UK coasts. Their welfare across this demanding migration depends on food availability, disturbance levels and climate stability.

Key Facts

Dark-bellied brent geese breed in Siberian tundra and winter on UK estuaries and coastal grassland
The entire population of approximately 150,000 birds passes through UK sites each winter
They traditionally feed on intertidal eelgrass (Zostera) before supplementing with agricultural grass
Eelgrass wasting disease in the 1930s caused massive brent declines from which they are still recovering
Disturbance at roost sites during high tide causes energy expenditure that compromises winter survival
UK brent goose counts are a key indicator of Siberian tundra breeding success
Climate change is disrupting both Arctic breeding habitat and eelgrass distribution

Welfare Considerations

Brent goose welfare across their annual cycle is affected by multiple linked factors. Arctic breeding success determines how many birds enter the migration. Migration energy expenditure depends on food availability at staging posts. Winter survival on UK coasts depends on food quality, disturbance levels and cold spell duration. A brent goose disturbed repeatedly from its roost site on a cold January estuary burns energy reserves it cannot easily replace. The cumulative effect of disturbance across winter determines whether birds depart in spring with sufficient condition for the return migration and breeding season.

What You Can Do

Keep dogs on leads on estuaries where brent geese feed and roost
Maintain distance from brent goose flocks - their flight response distance is 200-300 metres
Support Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust eelgrass restoration programmes
Advocate for protection of key brent goose wintering sites from development
Take broader climate action to protect Arctic tundra breeding habitat