Barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis) are fascinating migratory birds that breed in the Arctic and winter in temperate regions of Europe. If you want to see these unique birds up close, there are many great places to spot them throughout their range. In this article, we’ll discuss the best locations and times to see barnacle geese, what makes them so special, and how to identify them.
What are barnacle geese?
Barnacle geese are medium-sized geese named after the barnacles they were once thought to grow from. They breed in the Arctic islands of Svalbard, Novaya Zemlya, and Greenland. Barnacle geese make an impressive yearly migration to wintering grounds in northern Europe. Their total migration route covers around 2,000-3,000 miles as they fly non-stop over the open ocean.
These handsome birds have black necks, heads, and tails with white undersides. They have gray backs and breastbands. Barnacle geese make loud, ringing calls heard from flocks in flight. They forage on land, feeding on various grasses, sedges, and crops. Barnacle geese form lifelong pair bonds and mate for life.
Best places to see barnacle geese
Here are some of the top spots for viewing and photographing barnacle geese in the wild:
Wintering grounds
- Solway Firth, Scotland and England – 110,000 barnacle geese gather here from November to February.
- Caerlaverock Wetland Centre, Dumfries, Scotland – Extensive flocks forage on surrounding grasslands.
- Wexford Slobs, Ireland – Up to 18,000 barnacle geese overwinter among these wetlands.
- The Netherlands – Areas like Friesland and Groningen support 100,000+ barnacle geese.
Breeding grounds
- Svalbard, Norway – 20,000+ pairs nest on islands like Spitsbergen and Edgeøya.
- Greenland – Breeding sites like Thule offer rare summer sightings.
- Novaya Zemlya, Russia – Remote island supports important breeding population.
Migration stopover sites
- Isle of May, Scotland – Barnacle geese rest in May and September.
- Denmark – Sites like Mandø attract flocks during migration.
- Sweden – Staging areas include Gotland and Öland.
Best times to see barnacle geese
Since barnacle geese are migratory, the best viewing opportunities depend on their annual cycle:
Breeding season – June to August
From June to August, barnacle geese nest in the high Arctic. Hardy birders can access breeding sites in northern Greenland, Svalbard, or Russia to see the birds raising young. But viewing opportunities are very limited during this remote season.
Fall migration – September to November
Barnacle geese begin migrating south in September. Important stopover sites in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and northern Scotland provide viewing chances. By late October, most barnacle geese have reached their wintering grounds.
Winter – November to March
November through March is the prime viewing season for barnacle geese. Huge flocks of thousands congregate in areas like the Solway Firth and Wexford. Take advantage of milder weather to observe them feeding in wetlands and fields.
Spring migration – March to May
In March, barnacle geese begin moving north again to breeding areas. Stopovers in Scotland, Iceland, and Scandinavia offer sighting opportunities. Birds arrive at Arctic breeding sites by May or June.
Identifying barnacle geese
Here are some tips for identifying barnacle geese:
- Look for medium-sized geese with black heads, necks, tails, and wingtips.
- Watch for white undersides and light gray backs without major markings.
- Note loud, ringing calls sounding like “ang-ang-ang.”
- Observe smaller size than other black-and-white geese like brants.
- Check for somewhat extended neck profile in flight.
Why see barnacle geese?
Here are some reasons why birdwatchers seek out barnacle geese:
- See their huge flocks streaming across the sky during migration.
- Appreciate how far they travel between the Arctic and Europe.
- Watch parents tending young goslings in summer.
- Photograph their handsome black-and-white plumage.
- Observe their family groupings and social behavior.
- Spot rare plumage variants like leucistic birds.
- Contribute to monitoring programs tracking their populations.
- Check off a new species for your life list!
Conservation status
Barnacle geese used to be quite rare, but their populations have rebounded in recent decades. However, they face some concerning threats:
- Climate change may reduce suitable Arctic breeding habitat over time.
- Overgrazing of Arctic vegetation around nesting sites can impact goslings.
- Agricultural conflicts from foraging on crops are increasing.
- Collisions with power lines during migration cause mortality.
International coordination helps manage barnacle goose populations, migrations, and interactions with humans. Supporting wetland conservation also helps protect these unique birds into the future.
Conclusion
Seeing huge waves of barnacle geese arrive after their long migration is an unforgettable sight. With a little planning, you can observe these fascinating Arctic birds in locations across their range in Europe. Bundle up and get out your binoculars during fall and winter to appreciate one of nature’s great spectacles – the migrating flocks of the barnacle goose!