In Dumfriesshire, hopes are high for a successful return of barnacle geese to WWT Caerlaverock reserve following the spectre of Avian Influenza. Staff at WWT Caerlaverock are eagerly anticipating the arrival of barnacle geese from the distant Norwegian islands of Svalbard. They are optimistic that this year’s population of geese over-wintering at the reserve near Dumfries will surpass the levels seen before the Avian Influenza outbreak.
As the reserve approaches the third winter since the devastating AI outbreak of 2021/22, the barnacle geese have experienced two highly successful breeding seasons, with their population almost recovering to pre-outbreak levels. David Pickett, the site manager at WWT Caerlaverock, expressed his amazement at nature’s ability to bounce back and the joy of witnessing large numbers of these striking geese return to the Solway. WWT Caerlaverock, established over 50 years ago as a sanctuary for barnacle geese, remains a prime location to observe these magnificent birds.
Prior to the Avian Influenza outbreak, around 40,000 barnacle geese would summer in Svalbard, Norway, before migrating to the Solway estuary for winter, with the reserve being a crucial site for sightings during autumn and winter. However, in November 2021, the reserve started witnessing the grim sight of dead barnacle geese, eventually confirming the presence of Avian Influenza. By the end of the 2021/22 winter, over 10,000 geese had perished at WWT Caerlaverock, leading to a 30% decline in the Svalbard barnacle geese population, dropping to under 28,000.
The monitoring of the disease’s impact on these beloved birds proved challenging for the staff as they grappled with the rising number of casualties across the reserve and along the Solway coast. The geese migrate 2,000 miles to WWT Caerlaverock for abundant food, secure roosting spots, and milder weather compared to Norway. They feed on saltmarsh and farmland nearby and roost on the mudflats of the merse at night, typically remaining on the Solway coast until April.
NatureScot will conduct population counts around the Solway this winter, with optimism surrounding the barnacle geese’s gradual recovery and their utilization of the habitat at WWT Caerlaverock. Stuart Graham, NatureScot’s south operations manager, voiced hope that this year’s population counts will reflect the positive trend in the geese’s recovery. To celebrate the return of the barnacle geese, WWT Caerlaverock is hosting a week of guided walks, workshops, and family-friendly activities as part of the Wild Goose Festival in Dumfries from October 18 to 27, ensuring visitors can witness these magnificent birds until April.