Brent geese winter in large numbers on UK estuaries feeding on eel grass and saltmarsh, with welfare dependent on undisturbed feeding habitats.
Brent goose welfare at UK wintering sites depends on access to undisturbed eel grass beds and saltmarsh. Arriving birds from Arctic breeding grounds are often depleted from migration and dependent on rapid access to quality food. Eel grass decline from wasting disease and coastal development has reduced food availability at key sites. Disturbance from recreational activity forces birds to alternative feeding sites with higher energy demands. Winter welfare is directly influenced by estuary management: sites with managed disturbance reduction support better body condition and higher winter survival.