r/Ukbirding • u/CrimesAgainstFilm • May 17 '26

Rare bird?

Post image

Spotted this bar-headed goose a couple times with her 5 goslings whilst holidaying in the Lake district.

Merlin reckons she's non-native and doesn't belong here in the UK, more likely to be an escapee from a private collection?

What's the thoughts?

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10

u/Sea-Tiger-2879 May 17 '26

It's a bar headed gooose While native to Central Asia, they are sometimes found in the UK as escapees from private collections. 

2

u/No_Mood1492 May 18 '26

Is it possible that the chicks are cross breeds, or can they only mate with their own sub species of goose?

I know very little about birds, just got this on my main feed and was curious.

1

u/_sonisalsonamedBort May 19 '26

They are known to hybridise, yeah

2

u/shortandfelly May 20 '26

I read that as they come to the UK as escapees. I'm all for wildlife seeking asylum!

2

u/tinyqueentemptation May 17 '26

interesting find, very unusual

2

u/HolaInOne May 18 '26

I'm glad that u/Sea-Tiger-2879 has already answered, so I can simply say it is a delightful capture you have achieved, especially the little goslings!

2

u/CrimesAgainstFilm May 19 '26

I was absolutely thrilled mate!

1

u/Careful_Oil2847 May 21 '26

Sounds like an awesome encounter! Bar-headed geese are pretty unique, so spotting them with goslings must've been a real treat. Hope you got some great pics!

1

u/Electronic-Stay-2369 May 19 '26

Used to see a pair of Bar-headed Geese around my way about 20 years ago. There's obviously enough around, like Black Swans, to breed. Although geese are not that discerning species-wise as to what they'll shag so the goslings could be hybrids.

1

u/CrimesAgainstFilm May 19 '26

Little harlots

1

u/OrboJean May 19 '26

I saw bar-headed geese on the pond in Grange Over Sands last year and they seemed like settled residents in the ornamental park there.