September bird of the month: Red-breasted goose
Each month, we’re shining a spotlight on one of our fascinating feathered residents, offering the chance to learn more about the incredible diversity of birdlife here at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre.
For September, we are highlighting one of our much-loved species, the red-breasted goose!
These stylish geese are residents here at Martin Mere and can often be spotted along the pathway near our greater flamingos. With their bold plumage of rich chestnut, crisp white, and inky black, they really do look as though they’ve dressed to impress and they certainly know how to show it off!
In the wild, red-breasted geese breed in the remote Arctic tundra of Siberia, migrating thousands of miles to winter in warmer regions around the Black Sea.
Instead of nesting on open tundra like many geese, they often build their nests very close to the nests of birds of prey (like peregrine falcons or snowy owls). This actually gives the geese a safety buffer from predators like foxes.
They’re considered vulnerable due to habitat loss, hunting, and climate change affecting their breeding grounds.
Want to get a closer look?
Visitors to WWT Martin Mere can see these birds up close after exiting the gift shop, located next to our greater flamingos.
WWT Members enter free, but non-members can enjoy 10% off admission tickets when prebooking online.
