Wildlife of Britain

The Greylag Goose in Britain: Native Wildfowl and Modern Recovery The Greylag Goose (Anser anser) is Britain’s only native grey goose and the wild ancestor of most domestic goose breeds.  Broad-winged, heavy-bodied and pale grey-brown in tone, it is a characteristic bird of wetlands, lochs and lowland farmland.  Unlike introduced geese, the Greylag is part of Britain’s natural avifauna, with a history stretching back to post-glacial colonisation. Origins and Status The Greylag Goose is native to Europe and western Asia.  In Britain, it historically bred widely in marshes and fens but suffered declines due to: • Wetland drainage • Egg collection • Hunting pressure By the 19th century, breeding populations had become restricted largely to the Scottish Highlands and islands. During the 20th century, protection measures and wetland restoration supported a strong recovery. Reintroductions and natural recolonisation expanded the species’ breeding range back into England and Wal...