DISTRIBUTION: Widespread across Europe and Asia to east Russia, as far south as northern India and China, and to Iceland and Norway.
UKDISTRIBUTION: Resident across much of the UK, though generally not encountered in more central areas. Winter migrants mostly visit central and north-east Scotland, south-west England and parts of Ireland.
IUCN RED LIST STATUS: Least Concern, numbers increasing.
HABITAT: Lowland areas, often in parks with lakes, but favours grassy areas in river valleys. Wintering birds can frequent salt marshes and estuaries and flooded areas. Agricultural land is visited to feed on crops.
FOOD: Feeds on grasses but also berries, water plants, grain on cereal stubbles, potatoes and sometimes growing crops. Has been known to take amphibians, crustaceans, molluscs, insects and small fish.
BREEDING: Greylag geese tend to pair bond…