White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)
Species
White-Fronted Goose (Anser albifrons). Taken at Slimbridge, Gloucs, on November 7th 2023.
Taken at Slimbridge, Gloucs, on November 7th 2023.
(1/800th sec at f8. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
White-Fronted Goose (Anser albifrons). 1st-winter. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on February 18th 2021.
1st-winter. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on February 18th 2021.
(1/1000th sec at f8. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

L: 65 - 78cm; WS: 130 - 165cm

The White-fronted Goose has bright orange legs and mouse-coloured upper wing-coverts. It is smaller than the Greylag Goose. As well as being larger than the Lesser White-fronted Goose, the Greater Whitefront lacks the yellow eye-ring of that species, and the white facial blaze does not extend upwards so far as in the Lesser.

This species breeds in Greenland, and in the far north of Europe and Asia, and winters further south and west in Europe. Greenland birds (ssp. flavirostris) over-winter in Scotland and Ireland, and Russian birds (ssp. albifrons) in England and Wales. Around 15000 birds over-winter in the British Isles.

The breeding habitat is tundra. In winter they feed on grass, clover, grain, winter wheat and potatoes in arable fields.

This species has green status on the UK list.

Sightings

31-Jan-2024 : Slimbridge, Glos (5)

07-Nov-2023 : Slimbridge, Glos (4)
26-Feb-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
19-Jan-2023 : Slimbridge, Glos (127)

31-Mar-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (4)
18-Feb-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
23-Jan-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (55+)

07-Feb-2020 : Holkham NNR, Norfolk (11)
04-Feb-2020 : Holkham NNR, Norfolk (4)

17-Jan-2019 : Slimbridge, Glos (50+)

18-Jan-2018 : Slimbridge, Glos (20+)

29-Oct-2013 : Slimbridge, Glos (c20)
02-Feb-2013 : Otmoor, Oxon (3)

27-Nov-2011 : Slimbridge, Glos
02-Jan-2011 : Otmoor, Oxon (c30)