Wildlife

Wild Brent Goose Estuary Welfare

Brent geese are small Arctic-breeding geese that winter on UK estuaries, with welfare dependent on intertidal seagrass and green algae availability.

Key Facts

Dark-bellied brent geese breed in Siberia and winter on southern UK estuaries and coastal fields
They rely primarily on intertidal eelgrass (Zostera) beds and green algae for winter food
Zostera beds declined dramatically in the 1930s from wasting disease and have not fully recovered
Brent geese now use coastal grassland and arable fields as supplementary winter feeding habitat
Recreational disturbance on estuaries repeatedly displaces feeding birds and increases energy expenditure

Welfare Considerations

Brent goose winter welfare requires undisturbed access to productive estuarine feeding habitat. Seagrass bed restoration and disturbance reduction on key estuaries are the most effective welfare interventions.

What You Can Do

Reduce disturbance to estuary birds by keeping dogs on leads on coastal paths in winter
Support Zostera seagrass bed restoration projects in UK estuaries
Record brent goose numbers at estuary sites through WeBS surveys