In Poole Harbour, Dorset Greylag Geese Anser Anser are a naturalised goose species who have a mixed opinion throughout Dorset and Hampshire. However, from visual observations over the last 6 years, there are noticeable movements within Dorset and Hampshire thanks to the amazing work that resighters have been doing to help the study so far. Amazing enough, that I produced a scientific paper in 2021 in British Birds looking at these movements.

Observations showed birds return to Poole Park, located in the North east of Poole Harbour, in February before increasing in numbers into March. They move to either Brownsea Island or remain at Poole Park to breed with numbers increasing as juveniles are born in April and May. Both sites are main breeding sites for A. anser within Poole Harbour. Later, A steady increase in numbers of A. anser occurs in late May/June as juveniles begin to fly and move around the South East part of the harbour. This lead to Poole Park becoming an important moult site within Poole Harbour for A. anser with 170+ counted at the end of June. This total is more than the numbers seen on Brownsea Island and Poole Park during the breeding season.

As a result, the project initially colour ringed 300 Greylag Geese and movements are more understood now then in 2018. However, focusing on survival, and movements of other Greylags from subpopulations around Dorset is the main aim of the project now. Firstyly, understanding the life of a bird is important not only at an individual level but also at a population level too. Understanding the difference in survival of juveniles and adults can determine how a popualtion is faring in the area. Secondly, understanding the movements of Greylags from other subpopulations is important as understanding the links to the main moult site at Poole Park is fundemental for our wider knowledge of Dorset Greylag Geese!

All money will go to the cost of the 500 BTO metal rings as well as additional equipment such as two pairs of large pliers to encourage new trainees who do not have their own equipment to partake and help with the catch.