Barnacle Goose - Branta leucopsis

Smaller than the more common Canada Goose, it has a grey back, black neck and white face.

Estuaries, coastal, lakes & reservoirs.

October to March.

This bird is a vegetarian, eating grass, seeds and small plants. It likes to graze on grassland near to water. It breeds in northern Scandinavia and Russia but some migrate to Britain in the winter.

It is most commonly seen in the north-west of Scotland and around the coast in Ireland but occasional birds turn up in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland.