Species

Species	Brent goose - Branta bernicla, bird
Habitat	ESTUARIES, SEAGRASS BEDS
Background and status	This is the smallest of the wild geese and can be recognised by a low guttural call. It usually nests on high arctic coasts and is a winter visitor to Britain, favouring coastal areas with large estuaries and mudflats. 45% of the world’s population live in Britain during the winter. It feeds on plants, preferring eel grass, and will stay in areas where this is plentiful. The Brent goose may also feed on cultivated crops, such as wheat, oilseed rape and barley. In the South West, the Brent goose can be seen during the winter at the Exe Estuary in Devon and at The Fleet (international importance) and Poole Harbour (national importance) in Dorset.
Main Threats	While not threatened in their breeding grounds, Brent geese do face pressure in the areas in which they winter. This is largely due to pressure on estuaries from development, pollution and recreational activities.
Conservation and targets	Conservation organisations, such as the RSPB, have opposed developments to estuaries which threaten Brent geese. Conservationists work closely with other estuary users to ensure a safe haven for the geese. Where they cause problems on farmland, alternative feeding sites have been found.

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