Saving wetlands for wildlife & people

Northwest Scotland Greylag Goose Survey

Species/Populations
Northwest Scotland Greylag Goose

History
The first complete survey of Northwest Scotland Greylag Geese was conducted in 1997, and is the only such survey to date.

Aims
Assess population size and distribution, and identify sites of key importance.

Coverage
Previous surveys have covered the area to the north and west of Glen Mor between Fort William and Inverness, and west Argyll as far south as the Kintyre Peninsula and on islands to the west.

Frequency
Every nine years, in late August.

Methods
A site-based survey, with counts in 1997 made at all known areas of suitable habitat. However, given the increase in both Northwest Scotland Greylag Geese and Re-established Greylag Geese since the previous survey, it is likely that the extent of the 2008 survey will be extended. Futher information about the 2008 survey can be found on the Scottish Greylag Goose Survey page.

Results
The results of the 1997 survey were published as follows:

Mitchell, C, D Patterson, P Boyer, P Cunningham, R MacDonald, E Meek, JD Okill & F Symonds 2000. The summer status and distribution of Greylag Geese in north and west Scotland. Scottish Birds 21:69-77.

Getting involved
The Scottish Greylag Goose Survey will take place in summer 2008. Further details will be announced when they are available on the Latest News page. For more information, please contact the Waterbird Monitoring Unit at WWT Slimbridge.

Resources
CUDI
Data requests
Field ageing guide





The Goose & Swan Monitoring Programme (GSMP) monitors numbers and breeding success of geese and swans in the UK during the non-breeding season. GSMP is organised by WWT on behalf of WWT and JNCC.

Email: monitoring@wwt.org.uk