Species Account
Bird Report 2024
Common resident. Included in 30% of BirdTrack lists. The East of England long-term trend is increasing +57%.
The earliest record of breeding was on 7th April, at MCP Wetlands NR, where an adult was apparently incubating. The first goslings were at Black Cat GP and Priory CP, both on 27th April. At Priory CP there were 37 young by 15th May, but by 29th May the number had been reduced to 29 goslings, and then to 27 by 3rd June.
East Hyde had the highest number in the year, with 484 on 29th September, closely followed at Grovebury SP, with 480 on 5th January. The latter site held flocks in excess of 200 throughout January. The only other winter accumulation of more than 200 was at Priory CP on 21st January. Wardown Park, which regularly held large winter flocks, was down on previous years, with a peak of only 138 on 15th January. Woburn Park had 284 on 12th November, a site record.
