Greylag Goose (Anser anser. Linnaeus, 1758).
Family: Anatidae. (Waterfowl)
Length: 74 to 84cm Wingspan: 1.49 to 1.68cm Weight: 2.9 to 3.7kg Lifespan 15 to 20 years.
Anser anser, (“Anser being the Latin name for “Goose.”) is the ancestor of most domesticated farmland geese, from as early as 1360 BC.
The Greylag, is Britain’s commonest native goose and is present all year round in the UK. It is widespread throughout Europe and into far Eastern countries, such as Russia, China and Turkey. Also present in countries which have a coastline along the Mediterranean coast, including North Africa. They are also present in many other countries around the world as far as New Zealand.
Large numbers of Greylag geese migrate to Scotland, from Iceland and some Scandinavia countries for the winter months.
Truly wild populations are mainly found in the Scottish regions of the UK.
Habitats: Various Freshwater places including, coastal marshlands, farmlands, gravel pits, reservoirs, Lakes and rivers. They have become semi-tame in public places such as parks, lake sidewalks, river sidewalks, where it will be commonly seen. Greylag geese are mainly herbivorous and graze favourably on various short nutritious grasses, (note the teeth like bill, which enables it to tear apart vegetation.) usually close to water. Will also be found in meadows, usually where farm animals are also grazing. Various leaf vegetation including cereal crops are also eaten, will also dig up the roots of young crops. They have been known to feed throughout the night as well as daytime, which can and does cause a concern for agricultural farmers, when large flocks are close by. They will also feed on small fish, amphibians, molluscs, crustaceans and insects.
Greylag geese are listed in Schedule 2 of the UK Wildlife and Countryside Act, so unfortunately, they have no protection outside the “Close season” (nesting times). The Greylag Goose is considered a pest in many countries, In the Orkney islands, they are now killed most of the year, they are also killed to be eaten, in some countries.
Nesting: The adult birds usually pair for life, many travel to their northerly breeding grounds in spring, marshlands, rivers, around lakes and on coastal islands are favoured habitats. 4 to 6 eggs are laid on the ground or on floating vegetation; using the likes of heather, rushes, reeds and various grasses. The nest is usually sparsely built, then lined with small feathers and down. Only the female will incubate the eggs, but both parents will protect the nest and young. Incubation takes around 28 days after the last egg is laid. The chicks are precocial, (being able to feed and move independently as soon as hatching). One brood a year between May and June in the UK.
Nesting times the Greylag geese will become territorial and will be very protective of their nest and young fledglings, from other large birds and other geese. Although some do join together with other families of geese for added protection. When nesting time ends, they will become social again. The birds will stay together as a family group and migrate south, in the late Autumn months.
UK has nearly 50,000 breeding pairs (2022) in the winter months, the number of breeding pairs, approximately trebles.