Canada Goose – Branta canadensis

The Canada Goose is a non-native species in Britain but was introduced in many parks. Through escapes from parks the Canada Goose is now established as a breeding bird.

The Canada Goose is the largest Branta species found in Britain it is easily identify by its black head and neck with white cheek patch. Their honking call is very similar to that of Whooper or Bewick Swan.

This species is characteristically a ground feeding bird which nests in swamps or on island in lakes.

Hainault Forest is owned and operated by the Woodland Trust which in 2023 opened its first ever staffed visitor hub in this area. It is London’s last medieval forest.

Woodland Trust is thinning out the trees in the forest to increase the light reaching the areas 6,000 hornbeams which were part of the ancient wood pasture in the area in earlier years.

It was a happy coincidence that during this thinning out process the Woodland Trust could supply a 21ft plank which perfectly fitted the requirements of a team recreating the 90ft longship uncovered at Sutton Hoo in 1939. The ship burial at Sutton Hoo is England’s oldest known ship.

Source: “The Country Life Guide to Birds of Britain and Europe” by Bertel Bruun (ISBN: 0-600-31411-1)
Source: “Broadleaf” Issue No. 110 – Spring 2023 – The Woodland Trust