GREYLAG FACTS

DISTRIBUTION: Widespread across

Europe and Asia to east Russia, as far south as northern India and China, and to Iceland and Norway.

UK DISTRIBUTION: Resident across much of the UK, though generally not encountered in more central areas.

Winter migrants mostly visit central and north-east Scotland, south-west

England and parts of Ireland.

IUCN RED LIST STATUS: Least

Concern, numbers increasing.

HABITAT: Lowland areas, often in parks with lakes, but favours grassy areas in river valleys. Wintering birds can frequent salt marshes and estuaries and flooded areas. Agricultural land is visited to feed on crops.

FOOD: Feeds on grasses but also berries, water plants, grain on cereal stubbles, potatoes and sometimes growing crops. Has been known to take amphibians, crustaceans, molluscs, insects and small fish.

BREEDING: Greylag geese tend to pair bond in long-term partnerships, often for life, following intense courtship and displaying. This is not always the case, however, and some pairs may separate to mate with other geese. NESTING: Nests are built on the ground from plant material, feathers and down, usually among reeds, rushes or other low plants but sometimes on floating rafts of vegetation. Only the female incubates the eggs while the male stands guards close by. The chicks leave the nest soon after hatching and are fully fledged at eight or nine weeks.

CLUTCH SIZE: Typically 4-6 eggs.

INCUBATION TIME: Around 28 days.

LENGTH (AVERAGE): 74-90cm, males generally larger than females,

WINGSPAN (AVERAGE): 147-180cm.

WEIGHT (AVERAGE): Variable between 2.5 and 4kg.

LIFESPAN (AVERAGE): Up to 15 to 20 years, but usually less.

FLIGHT SPEED: Around 40mph but more with a tailwind.

SHOOTING SEASONS: England, Wales & Scotland: 1 September – 31 January (inland); 1 September – 20 February (below the high-water mark).Northern

Ireland: 1 September – 31 January.

Isle of Man: 1 July – 31 March (general licence under the Wildlife Act 1990).