WWT scientists have been studying Light-bellied brent geese migration since 2003 ,working in partnership with various authorities throughout the birds' migration route, so we can understand more about what sites they use, what routes they take, how long it takes them and how they cope with the journey.
A Flyway Management Plan was produced to determine the threats and the conservation action needed to save it such as illegal hunting, the effects of global warming, dietary supply and protection of their major staging grounds in Ireland, Iceland, Greenland and the Canadian Arctic.
Field research forms a large part of this study and WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre remains at the centre of this work in collaboration with relevant government departments, NGOs and other stakeholders.
In 2006 WWT worked in collaboration with BBC Autumnwatch to track ten Light-bellied Brent Geese through a complete migratory cycle from their wintering grounds in Northern Ireland to their breeding grounds in the Canadian Arctic and back again.
As far as we know only two of the ten geese made it back to Ireland which raised awareness of how hazardous the annual migration is for the geese and why they need protecting.
Join WWT today and help support our work with Brent geese.