Barnacle geese winter in the UK from Arctic Greenland and Svalbard, with welfare dependent on undisturbed saltmarsh and agricultural grassland.
Barnacle goose welfare in winter depends on undisturbed access to productive feeding areas. Repeated flushing from disturbance expends energy that birds may not replace during limited winter daylight. Protected estuaries and reduced disturbance at key wintering sites directly support individual goose welfare.