With their striking black-and-white plumage, seeing barnacle geese in flight is one of the highlights of the British winter.
Flocks arrive from their Arctic breeding grounds, gathering in Scotland’s estuaries and coastal wetlands. The Solway Firth hosts thousands, creating a mesmerising display against frost-bitten landscapes.
Further south, these geese can be spotted in places like the Severn Estuary, Lancashire’s saltmarshes, and even in London.
In the UK capital, small numbers appear in parks and reservoirs, especially during migration. The Walthamstow Wetlands and Barnes’ London Wetland Centre sometimes host these elegant visitors, their honking calls evoking thoughts of distant northern shores.
Ever wondered what London looks like from their point of view? Perhaps not. Either way, this journey along the River Thames in the company of a gaggle of barnacle geese will leave you... flying high.
Main image: barnacle geese flying over London/Getty
