Wildlife Safari

Greylag Goose

Description

The largest of the Grey Geese, they have a heavy head and thick bill, reaching (30-35 inches in height). Often adopt a V formation when flying in flocks. Cry with a similar voice to the domestic goose, aloud 'aahung - ung - ung'.

Habitat and Distribution

The Outer Hebrides has long been the stronghold of the Greylag Goose and it breeds mainly in north west Scotland. In breeding season it prefers moorland areas with numerous small lochs, in winter it prefers marches and wet meadows or machair.

In the Hebrides, the Greylag goose is not as wide spread as it used to be and is confined mainly to a handful of lochs. It needs minimal disturbance from man, gulls and crows and prefers no contact whatsoever. In Lewis they rest on Loch Orasay and may be watched from the Grimshader road (B897.)

Anglers should be careful not to disturb sitting geese in spring or to alarm families once afloat.

The resident populations are joined in winter by visiting flocks, with up to one hundred grazing the fields around Stornoway. A couple may breed in Harris and its surrounding offshore islands but it is the Uists in which the Greylag breeds most commonly. The Nature Conservatory Council cares for up to 70 pairs which breed on Loch Druidibeg, consult the local warden at Stilligarry during breeding season if you are hoping to catch a glimpse of them. They also gather on the Grogarry Machair and several hundred breed in other parts of these islands.